PuttingFamilyFirst

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ML Portrait of Melissa Lehrich
Online therapist

Melissa Lehrich

Calm, practical support for family and parenting challenges

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
25 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Melissa

Melissa Lehrich is a licensed clinical social worker who draws on 25 years of practice to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns. She uses straightforward conversation and focused techniques to address issues like sleep problems, anger, intimacy struggles, and parenting challenges.

Melissa aims to create a respectful, sensitive space where a parent or partner can talk through what feels most urgent right now. Her approach is practical and tailored.

Background and approach

She mixes methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and EMDR to suit each person’s needs. Sessions often focus on concrete skills for coping, clearer communication, and step-by-step plans for change. Melissa has worked with many people coping with trauma, grief, life transitions, and work stress.

She also addresses areas like self-esteem, guilt and shame, social anxiety, panic attacks, and finding life purpose. Her experience includes counseling around end-of-life and hospice issues when those concerns arise. Therapy with her tends to be collaborative.

She listens first, then suggests tools and strategies that match the situation. Progress is paced to what the client can manage, with attention to emotional safety and practical outcomes. Sessions are offered from California and are conducted in English.

Melissa accepts international clients and uses a flexible session model to accommodate different schedules and needs.

Evidence-based approaches for online family and parenting support

Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress because it focuses on practical exercises and small behavior changes.

She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, known as EMDR, for people who have relief from traumatic memories and post-traumatic stress. EMDR works by guiding attention while recalling traumatic events to reduce their emotional intensity over time.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Melissa listens to each person’s goals, tries methods that fit the situation, and adjusts the plan as needed. She discusses options and works together with clients to choose what feels most useful for their family or parenting concerns.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy families and people in different locations. Video calls let therapists observe interactions and tone while phone sessions can be a simpler option. Live chat and text-based messaging are available for brief check-ins or when writing feels easier. These formats help people fit therapy into work, school, and caregiving responsibilities while keeping treatment continuous and accessible.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

EMDR

A structured protocol used with distressing memories, pairing recall with guided attention tasks. Some therapists adapt it for video sessions; whether that fits is worth asking about directly.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Melissa commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting challenges, sleep problems, anger, and coping with life changes and grief.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and collaborative, using clear conversation and specific tools. Sessions focus on skills, communication, and step-by-step plans tailored to each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of professional experience in clinical social work to her practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, CA LCSW 22783, and practices from California.
Which languages and client locations are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Therapy can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are fees structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Melissa

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