Melissa Howard, MA, LMFT

I am a marriage and family therapist who would be honored to support you and/or your family with exploring issues such as anxiety, depression, inattention, and anger.

No one ever realizes how fast your feet might be paddling under the surface. Let’s slow that down together.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have a M.A. in Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide and a B.A. in Human Communication focusing on Practical and Professional Ethics. With these degrees, I also strive to expand and improve on my education regularly to stay aware of new and potentially beneficial therapeutic interventions and strategies. In my work as a therapist, I honor the truth of the individual and do not insist that I know more than the client.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area surrounded by people of all walks of life. Being raised in a multicultural area allowed me to learn and develop an open-minded, growth perspective toward people of all backgrounds and lifestyles. I carry this open minded thought process into sessions honoring the client’s truth and desires for therapy. For this reason, in sessions I offer a multi medium approach collaborating with the client and family to guide the direction of therapy and to provide interesting (and hopefully sometimes fun!) therapy-based activities.

My work is trauma-informed, strength-based, and person-centered specializing in the following: children and adolescents, family issues, parenting, depression disorders, anxiety disorders, self-esteem, gender-affirming care, and identity. I am trained in and utilize numerous models of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Parenting Skills, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. As a marriage and family therapist, I am here to support youth and/or their families with each family member finding their voice and being seen for their individuality balanced with helping foster reconnection with one another and your family’s roots and values.