Therapy and Counseling:
Discover a Unique, Personal Approach to Therapy via Telehealth Located in California.
Counseling for all Seasons
Counseling for all Seasons is my private practice, my name is Melissa Lopez, I am a licensed therapist with over 17 years experience. I am a POC/Latinx, an intersectional feminist with radical views and a lot of visible tattoos. I make that very transparent from the start because I believe that while many therapists come from the school of thought that therapists should be a blank slate, for me that idea is antiquated. While I will not tell you the story of my life, I believe it is important for clients to know who they are working with especially for clients coming from oppressed communities. For many clients, working with a therapist who shares some of their views is important as then therapy can then be a space that can provide safety and a sense of not having to explain their experiences completely from the start as there is some common understanding.
I chose the name, "counseling for all seasons" because in my work with clients prior to starting my own practice, I worked with them through various literal seasons but also various seasons in their lives, I was honored to work with clients in various stages/cycles/seasons and bare witness to their healing. I have also always embraced the seasons, even if in Southern California folx claim that we do not have seasons, we do, you just have to pay attention to the subtle changes, just like in therapy and healing. Each season, both literal and in our life can teach us something, can challenge us and gives us the opportunity to heal. This is why I embrace "counseling for all seasons," anytime is a good time to engage in therapy and healing. You do not have to wait for a crisis or for things to be "real bad."
The therapy process is one that is very personal, it can bring up many feelings, doubts and questions while challenging you in ways that you did expect. My hope is to help you navigate those feelings, doubts, challenges and work with you as a teammate throughout your process and throughout the seasons of time and life as needed by you.
To learn more about the services I offer please go to: Services Offered. You can also follow me on Instagram: @counseling4allseasons. To learn more about my training and background, please go to: About Los Angeles Psychotherapist Melissa Lopez.
In the Media:
In These Times: When It Comes to Bereavement, The U.S> is Unspeakably Cruel (September 2019)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/22077/bereavement-leave-workers-rights-unions-cruelty-grief-loss
LA Magazine: A Couples Therapist Explains How Politics Can Make For A Throny Romantic Relationship (January 2019)
www.lamag.com/culturefiles/intersectional-couples-therapy/
Hip Latina: 7 Women to Follow on Instagram (March 2018)
https://hiplatina.com/inspirational-women-instagram/
Nylon: How to Break Toxic Relationship Patterns (July 2017)
https://nylon.com/articles/how-break-toxic-relationship-patterns
Voyage LA: Meet Melissa Lopez of Counseling for All Seasons in Pasadena (November 2017)
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-melissa-lopez-counseling-seasons-pasadena/
Xisi Magazine: Consider This: Before and After Coming Out (June 2011)
http://xqsimagazine.com/2011/06/14/consider-this-before-and-after-coming-out/
I chose the name, "counseling for all seasons" because in my work with clients prior to starting my own practice, I worked with them through various literal seasons but also various seasons in their lives, I was honored to work with clients in various stages/cycles/seasons and bare witness to their healing. I have also always embraced the seasons, even if in Southern California folx claim that we do not have seasons, we do, you just have to pay attention to the subtle changes, just like in therapy and healing. Each season, both literal and in our life can teach us something, can challenge us and gives us the opportunity to heal. This is why I embrace "counseling for all seasons," anytime is a good time to engage in therapy and healing. You do not have to wait for a crisis or for things to be "real bad."
The therapy process is one that is very personal, it can bring up many feelings, doubts and questions while challenging you in ways that you did expect. My hope is to help you navigate those feelings, doubts, challenges and work with you as a teammate throughout your process and throughout the seasons of time and life as needed by you.
To learn more about the services I offer please go to: Services Offered. You can also follow me on Instagram: @counseling4allseasons. To learn more about my training and background, please go to: About Los Angeles Psychotherapist Melissa Lopez.
In the Media:
In These Times: When It Comes to Bereavement, The U.S> is Unspeakably Cruel (September 2019)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/22077/bereavement-leave-workers-rights-unions-cruelty-grief-loss
LA Magazine: A Couples Therapist Explains How Politics Can Make For A Throny Romantic Relationship (January 2019)
www.lamag.com/culturefiles/intersectional-couples-therapy/
Hip Latina: 7 Women to Follow on Instagram (March 2018)
https://hiplatina.com/inspirational-women-instagram/
Nylon: How to Break Toxic Relationship Patterns (July 2017)
https://nylon.com/articles/how-break-toxic-relationship-patterns
Voyage LA: Meet Melissa Lopez of Counseling for All Seasons in Pasadena (November 2017)
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-melissa-lopez-counseling-seasons-pasadena/
Xisi Magazine: Consider This: Before and After Coming Out (June 2011)
http://xqsimagazine.com/2011/06/14/consider-this-before-and-after-coming-out/
As an INDIVIDUAL and COUPLES/MARRIAGE Therapist & Counselor in Pasadena, CA, Tongva Land. Please bare in mind, services are offered for adults only. I am trained to work on a diversity of issues, here are some of the areas that I can help you with:
PEOPLE OF COLOR: As a person of color I know of the importance of working with a fellow person of color in a therapuetic setting. BIPOC experience oppression on a daily basis which can affect a person of color's daily functioning, stress and overall sense of well-being. The impact of racism and oppression have a direct impact on the mental health of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Working with another person of color can provide a space to feel safe, have a sense of mutual understanding and not have the need to explain the impact of racism, systemic oppression and racialized microagressions. I work with an intersectional framework that includes critical race theory. Read more at COUNSELING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
QUEER/LGBTQIA: I work to help individuals facing homophobia, transphobia and other facets of prejudice and discrimination that impact your self esteem and ideas of self as an QTPoC/LGBTQIA individual. There are unique dynamics that can arise within relationships when having to cope with negative messages and policies that affect day to day living and self acceptance. As a QTPoC & LGBTQIA affirming therapist, it is important to work with a therapist that has a deep understanding of the community even if not struggling with issues of self acceptance. I provide a space that challenges heteronormative dynamics by cultivating a space that explores and validates the intersectionalities that encompass the Queer community. Read more at QUEER/LGBTQIA COUNSELING.
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES - COUPLES WORK - MARRIAGE COUNSELING - DIVORCE: I work with couples of all sexual orientations, genders, as well as multicultural couples. I also work with issues related to open relationships and polyam issues. In addition I work with issues around Queer family planning. Couples work is focused on healing and helping couples to identify unhealthy dynamics and increase healthy communication. Read more at COUPLES & MARRIAGE COUNSELING.
GRIEF AND LOSS, INCLUDING PET LOSS: We'll work together to cope with the death of a parent, child, sibling, spouse/life partner, friend or pet. This can be an especially difficult time, whether the death was caused by illness, suicide, homicide or an accident. The grief experienced can be overwhelming making it difficult for you to manage day to day activities. I offer compassionate grief counseling that can help you find the support you need. Read more at GRIEF AND LOSS COUNSELING.
TRAUMA: If you have experienced trauma in your life, whether it was in the past or recently, trauma affects how we navigate our day to day lives. Unresolved trauma can impact our present coping and can often create unhealthy dynamics in our relationship with ourselves and others. I work using a trauma informed approach to help you learn skills to manage symptoms and to reclaim yourself. I specialize in working with victims and survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence, child abuse, sexual assault as well as intergenerational and historical trauma.
LIFE TRANSITIONS: I can help you within the therapy process surmount the confusion surrounding role transitions, career changes, transitions from college/graduate school, job loss, identity confusion/crisis, aging and much more.
DEPRESSION: Many people may not understand that you can't just "snap" out of being depressed. It is at times difficult to find the support and understanding that you need. I can help you learn positive coping skills that will help you manage depression but also help you learn how to prevent falling into another depression cycle after you are feeling better. Read more at COUNSELING & THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION.
SPIRITUALITY: Spirituality can help affirm us, uplift us and through it we can find meaning about life and cope with difficult times. At times however these difficult times or our personal identities can come into conflict with our spiritual beliefs, perhaps leaving us with doubts, questioning our beliefs and feeling lost. I work with you to examine the disconnect and to help make sense of what has happened or who you are in a manner that incorporates spirituality and allows for the process of questioning and reclaiming as well as more spiritual discovery.
Other specializations include working with issues pertaining to:
Women, read more at COUNSELING FOR WOMEN
Social Justice Activists/Organizers
HIV/AIDS
Artists
Chronic Illness, Illness, Disability
Immigrants
Sex Work
Healing professions
Academia
QUESTIONS ABOUT THERAPY:
-Not sure how to go about picking a therapist? Read more at Picking a Therapist, Where to Start.
-Not sure what to expect during therapy? Read more at Therapy - What to Expect.
-Not sure how to go about picking a therapist? Read more at Picking a Therapist, Where to Start.
-Not sure what to expect during therapy? Read more at Therapy - What to Expect.
MY APPROACH TO THERAPY:
Your decision to begin therapy is an important one, one that is powerful and one that I will be honored to be a part of whether you are struggling with relationship problems, coping with a difficult time in life, grief or simply wanting to make some life changes. My goal as your therapist is to help you become EMPOWERED in your life, to help you learn how to utilize your own power to make concrete changes, to improve the areas in your life that have created obstacles or to help you manage a difficult time. You are the expert in your life and as your therapist I work with you to help you learn how to find your strengths. I offer compassionate, progressive and culturally affirming couples and individual counseling via telehealth services either via zoom or telephone.
I do not just sit and stare at you for fifty minutes asking you questions about your past, believe me, the past is important but I believe it is important to work with you as a teammate rather than simply putting you into a box with diagnostic labels. I draw on my experience of many years working with individuals, couples and families. I use an eclectic use of modalities from feminist theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psycho dynamic theories, problem solving therapy, and mindfulness techniques. These psychological techniques enable me to help you learn how to change your thinking patterns, resolve conflicts from your past that are negatively affecting your present, help you develop skills that will help you better your communication, decrease negative feelings and make better life choices.
Whether you are new to therapy or have been in therapy in the past I can work with you to help you in the here and now. I am always open to questions about the therapy process so feel free to contact me.
Your decision to begin therapy is an important one, one that is powerful and one that I will be honored to be a part of whether you are struggling with relationship problems, coping with a difficult time in life, grief or simply wanting to make some life changes. My goal as your therapist is to help you become EMPOWERED in your life, to help you learn how to utilize your own power to make concrete changes, to improve the areas in your life that have created obstacles or to help you manage a difficult time. You are the expert in your life and as your therapist I work with you to help you learn how to find your strengths. I offer compassionate, progressive and culturally affirming couples and individual counseling via telehealth services either via zoom or telephone.
I do not just sit and stare at you for fifty minutes asking you questions about your past, believe me, the past is important but I believe it is important to work with you as a teammate rather than simply putting you into a box with diagnostic labels. I draw on my experience of many years working with individuals, couples and families. I use an eclectic use of modalities from feminist theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psycho dynamic theories, problem solving therapy, and mindfulness techniques. These psychological techniques enable me to help you learn how to change your thinking patterns, resolve conflicts from your past that are negatively affecting your present, help you develop skills that will help you better your communication, decrease negative feelings and make better life choices.
Whether you are new to therapy or have been in therapy in the past I can work with you to help you in the here and now. I am always open to questions about the therapy process so feel free to contact me.
Photo by Melissa Lopez
THERAPY AND COUNSELING SERVICES IN:
Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, Alhambra, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Glendale, Los Feliz, Atwater, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and the greater Los Angeles surrounding communities. You'll find it easy to get to my office in Old Town Pasadena. See the Office Location page to learn more about how to find me.
Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, Alhambra, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Glendale, Los Feliz, Atwater, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and the greater Los Angeles surrounding communities. You'll find it easy to get to my office in Old Town Pasadena. See the Office Location page to learn more about how to find me.