Alissa Melendez is a Licensed Psychologist who creates a sacred space for healing, growth, and transformation. With particular expertise in grief and trauma recovery, she guides clients through their most challenging life experiences with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and clinical excellence. Alissa believes in the collaborative nature of therapy, finding deep fulfillment in working with clients who approach the therapeutic journey with courage, openness, and a willingness to engage actively in the process of change. Her work helps clients strengthen their sense of self while developing greater resilience to navigate life's complexities.

Her therapeutic approach integrates multiple evidence-based modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal/Relational techniques, Psychodynamic principles, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). This comprehensive toolkit allows her to address both immediate symptoms and underlying patterns, adapting her methods to each client's unique needs and readiness. Alissa's practice is deeply relational, reflecting her core belief that while we are wounded in relationships, we also heal through meaningful connection.

With a master's and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Azusa Pacific University, Alissa brings more than ten years of specialized experience in grief, trauma, and college mental health to her practice. Her advanced training in Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and EMDR has equipped her with diverse approaches for addressing complex psychological and emotional concerns. This robust educational background and clinical experience inform her nuanced understanding of human suffering and resilience.

Outside the therapy room, Alissa finds renewal through hiking adventures with her dog, deep-sea fishing excursions with family, and quiet moments cuddling with her cat. Her love of reading reflects her lifelong curiosity and commitment to growth, while candle-making serves as a creative outlet that grounds her in the present moment. These personal practices mirror the balance she helps clients discover between meaningful connection, adventurous exploration, contemplative reflection, and creative expression.

• As a Latina, Christian psychotherapist specializing in grief and trauma, Alissa brings a unique cultural and spiritual perspective to her clinical work, creating a therapeutic space that honors the whole person—including cultural identity and faith dimensions when relevant.

• Her extensive experience with grief and trauma has equipped her with specialized skills for helping clients process profound loss, heal from adverse experiences, and rebuild a meaningful life narrative.

• Alissa's background in college mental health gives her particular insight into the challenges of identity development, life transitions, and relational dynamics that emerge during this formative period.