Relational Therapy for Adults, Couples, Teens, and Families
As a therapist, I am passionate about working with clients who are navigating complex identities and challenging life transitions that have mirrored my own journey as a queer non-binary person with chronic illness and neurodivergence. I am drawn to individuals who identify as healers, care workers, or teachers who have experienced identity burnout and people-pleasing tendencies, seeking to reclaim their autonomy after years of fawning. I find deep fulfillment in supporting queer, neurodivergent teenagers, and those who have faced trauma within their families, offering them a space where they can explore their identities and heal. I am also committed to working with couples and families who are recovering from traumatic events, as well as those who are exploring nonmonogamy, learning to navigate relationships where neurodivergence or trauma play a significant role, or are leaving/recovering from leaving relationships rife with abuse and manipulation.
My clients also include individuals who spend significant time in online spaces and need to validate and sort out aspects of their experiences and long-distance relationships that others may not take seriously. As a fellow neurodivergent person, I am particularly interested in supporting ADHD and autistic people of all ages, who find joy in sharing their passions and going on tangents, as well as anxious and angry teens who struggle with feeling heard and understood by the adults in their lives. I value working with graduate students as well as millenials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha individuals who are searching for meaning amidst the chaos of the world, especially due to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change. Additionally, I am dedicated to helping trans people early in their identity discovery journey, fellow therapists navigating the complexities of their career, and families working through dynamics around neurodivergence, transitions, and trauma.
FAQs
How do I become your client?
If you live in California, you can reach out to me through this website or by emailing me at melb@relationalcenter.org or madsubjectivity@gmail.com to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit and that our scheduling availability matches up.
What is your fee? Do you take insurance?
My fees are variable based on insurance and which center we’ll be working at, and I do offer a sliding scale based on income and your other expenses. Please reach out to talk to me more about what works for both of us! The Relational Center does not currently take insurance. If you need me to put together a superbill for reimbursement through insurance, this is certainly something we can discuss! I will be taking insurance in the state of California through my position at Inclusive Psychological Services.
Who specifically do you work with?
I work with individuals (including adults, teenagers, and kids above age 7), families, and couples. Individual sessions are 50 minutes, and couples and family sessions are 50 minutes or 80 minutes, depending on what you’re looking for.
Do you see clients on Zoom or in person?
I see clients in person at The Relational Center in Los Angeles and at Inclusive Psychological Services in Burbank. If we see each other in person, I will be wearing a mask and will require you to do the same due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Because I am immunocompromised and also care about the health and safety of all of my clients, this is non-negotiable, and if you would like to not wear a mask, we can meet on zoom. I will also have air filters that provide proper air changes according to CADR recommendations.
What sort of experience do you have?
I have a decade of experience in the mental health field, working in home, in the community, inpatient, and outpatient settings, with over 8 years working specifically with adolescents and 4 with families.
What’s your license number? Your supervisor’s name and license number?
My current supervisors are Jami Winkel, LMFT #44036 at The Relational Center in Los Angeles and Dr. Jose Guerra PsyD., LMFT #32906. My AMFT number is #147353.
