Find a Therapist in California AM

Hi, my name is Ana Melendez and I am so happy that you are taking one of the first steps towards wellness and healing. Remember help comes in many forms and being open to therapy will provide you with different aspects to view situations and learn new ways to cope with whatever comes your way. I believe that with support and guidance we have the ability to empower ourselves and others.

My goal is to build a strong and trusting therapeutic alliance by maintaining empathy and positive regard in order to help you foster necessary change. As your therapist, I want to provide a safe, open and nonjudgmental space where you can feel free to share and work towards creating the changes necessary to heal and grow. 

My background includes working with young to older adults in community mental health for the past 8 years. I have experience conducting individual sessions and group therapy. My go to modalities are person centered, solution focused, strengthen based, motivational and cognitive/dialectical behavior therapy. My education includes bachelors in criminal justice, masters in forensic psychology and masters in social work. I encourage you to take control of your mental health and enjoy the self growth journey. 

My favorite things to do is enjoy family time, TV shows, traveling, music festivals and anything dog related. When it’s not hot outside taking walks at the park with my 2 big doggies is the best. 

 Hello & Welcome. My name is Amy—I’m glad you’re here.

From the outside, it may look like you’re holding everything together—but internally it feels heavy, exhausting, or disconnected. You may be used to showing up for others, meeting expectations, and pushing through, even while navigating depression, past experience, or a sense that something just isn’t fully aligned.

I specialize in working with teens and adults who are experiencing depression—often in ways that aren’t always visible—as well as those carrying the impact of unresolved or complex trauma. Many of my clients identify as “high-functioning,” yet feel stuck, emotionally drained, or disconnected from themselves and their sense of meaning.

In our work together, we’ll gently explore the experiences that  shaped you, including the parts of your past that may still be influencing how you think, feel, and relate to yourself and others. I place a strong emphasis on helping you make sense of your story, build self-awareness, and begin integrating the parts of yourself that have been overlooked, suppressed, or misunderstood.

I’m passionate about helping clients move beyond survival mode and into a more intentional, grounded way of living. Together, we’ll identify what truly matters to you—separate from societal expectations or roles—and support you in committing to meaningful, sustainable change.

I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and strive to create a space that feels real, collaborative, and safe. In a culture that often encourages us to stay busy and disconnected, therapy can be a place to slow down, be present, and do the kind of healing that creates lasting impact.

I also believe that when we begin to heal and understand ourselves more fully, we create change not only for ourselves—but for future generations.

If you're ready to explore what healing and reconnection could look like for you, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

About Me:

I’m a Southern California native with a B.A. in Philosophy from CSU Fullerton and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from National University. Outside the therapy room, I enjoy cooking for leisure, practicing yoga at home, taking nature walks, and caring for my sweet senior blind dog, Penny Lane. I’m one of four siblings and the eldest daughter in my family—roles that have deeply shaped my values of compassion, responsibility, and connection.