I am a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, 6 of which have been post-graduate level. I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies, with an emphasis on Sociology, and my Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology. I have worked with ages 5-94 in a variety of settings (school, home, nursing home, community, etc.) providing individual adult and child therapy, as well as family therapy to treat a variety of concerns. I have experience working with addiction and substance use disorders, trauma, LGBTQA needs, parenting issues, relational issues, depression, anxiety, and serious mental illness. My therapy approach is supportive, engaging, and compassionate- with a dash of humor when needed! I modify my theoretical orientation(s) specifically for each of my clients, but my tried and true treatment approaches are based in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, Self-Psychology, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Attachment Therapy.
I look forward to working with you towards your therapeutic goals.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
CA LMFT 119356
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Laurel Melbin. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Laurel is an amazing therapist. Working with her has truly changed my life. I’m so grateful for her!
Written on Aug 24, 2021 after therapy with Laurel for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
Thoughtful, responsive, easy to talk to - Laurel is amazing!
Written on Jun 30, 2021 after therapy with Laurel for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes