About Psychotherapist Melissa Lopez, LCSW
I have over 20 years experience as a licensed clinical therapist. I earned my Masters in Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, MA. At Smith College School for Social Work I was trained in classical theories and learned to work with clients from a psycho dynamic, insight-oriented perspective. I earned my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Redlands, Johnston College in Redlands, CA. My degree in undergraduate was a self-created degree titled, “Dimensions of Social Injustice and Social Change,” a degree which allowed me to delve into different areas of societal oppression and examine how oppression and injustice have affected people and communities, it also allowed me to examine how people who have been oppressed have created change on a personal and societal level. In addition to my Master's degree, I completed a certificate program at Smith College School for Social Work focused on contemplative clinical practice.
Psychotherapy Experience
My career as a psychotherapist began in the fall of 2003 at my internship as an MSW intern at the Venice Family Clinic in Santa Monica. My second internship was at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles where I worked providing psychotherapy to women, men, couples and families and conducted both individual psychotherapy and group psychotherapy using insight oriented modalities as well as cognitive behavioral therapies. After graduating I worked at the USC Hamovitch Research Center conducting Problem Solving Therapy, a derivative of CBT specifically to diabetic populations. I worked at AIDS Project Los Angeles for many years in which I worked with many men, women and transgender clients living with HIV/AIDS, during my work there I also worked heavily with clients struggling with substance abuse/addiction and clients living in recovery from substance abuse/addiction. I worked with SRO Housing Corporation in which I provided psychotherapy for people living with HIV/AIDS living in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles where I worked with men, women and transgender individuals who struggled with a range of issues from poverty, lack of access to health care, societal oppressions and mental illness. In addition to my practice, I also facilitated a breast cancer support group for women in Spanish at the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia for four years. I have worked in various primary health care settings working within a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and health educators providing treatment to clients with various backgrounds. My range of experience has allowed me to develop a great understanding of working with individuals and couples from a wide range of ages, cultures and race, gender, lifestyles, economic backgrounds and mental health concerns.
I have worked in my own private practice since March of 2010 with specializations working with individuals who are seeking a therapist with radical politcs/beliefs and an understanding of the systemic oppressions that factor into how people who identify as women, people of color, QTBIPoC/LGBTQIA experience attacks on one's identities and the connection of these experiences to depression, anxiety and other interpersonal struggles. My approach to therapy is centered on working collaboratively with clients. I aim to work with those who have been born in struggle due to the various societal and systemic oppressions and work in solidarity with each person. As such I have extensive experience working with women, people of the global majority, the Queer community and people with radical beliefs striving to work against societal oppressions.
A Unique Approach that Makes a Difference
My approach to counseling is using a decolonized approach to healing. While I have been trained and use various clinical modalities from feminist theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho dynamic theories, and mindfulness techniques, I believe that what matters MOST in therapy is the relationship someone has with their therapist. My goal in working with clients is to work with clients to excavate the manners in which they have integrated negative messages about themselves from society and reclaim who they truly are. It is crucial for me to help empower a client to make changes and equally important to work in a culturally affirming manner whether that be affirming a client’s gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or spirituality, culture, ethnicity or race. Services with me are available in English . I provide psychotherapy for individuals 18 years and older.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
Board Member, Center for Clinical Social Work (July 2010 - 2013)
Board Member, Smith School for Social Work Alumni Board (June 2012 - July 2013)
NASW Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial MSW Scholarship Panel (June 2010 - 2012)
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/
Outside of the therapist role:
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California but feel fortunate to have been able to travel and live in different parts of the world including short stays in Seattle, WA., Washington D.C., Northampton, MA., Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay and Habana, Cuba. I call Los Angeles my favorite city in the world with a strong appreciation and love for all places. My cultural roots are very important to me and what grounds me in my work as someone who facilitates healing. I currently share a home with three beautiful pets, a chiweenie named Foxy, a chiterrier named HoneyBee and a black cat named Stevie Nicks. When I am not sharing space with clients I love to spend time coloring, reading- I LOVE books, watching horror movies, watching youtube videos and webinars and binge watching shows, My favorite holidays are Halloween, Christmas and honoring the ritual and tradition of Dia de los Muertos. As a daughter of immigrants, I grew up speaking both English and Spanish and still use Spanish on a regular basis. My pronouns are she/her/hers & they/them/theirs.
To learn more about the services I offer please go to: Services Offered. You can also follow me on Instagram: @counseling4allseasons.
