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- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-focused work
About Melanie
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California with 12 years of experience. Melanie Fikse helps adults manage stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, mood disorders including bipolar and depression, and issues tied to relationships and addiction. She uses client-centered methods along with cognitive behavioral approaches and trauma-focused work.
Melanie begins by listening to what feels stuck and what has already been tried. Sessions focus on practical steps and skills alongside space to talk about difficult experiences. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful patterns and take values-based actions.
Her trauma-focused work supports people who have childhood or adult trauma, post-traumatic stress, or long-term effects from abuse. She pays attention to how trauma shows up in mood, impulsivity, isolation, guilt, shame, and self-harm, and offers ways to reduce overwhelming symptoms while building coping skills.
Melanie also addresses relational patterns such as abandonment, codependency, family problems, and anger. She helps people explore self-esteem, self-love, and forgiveness so they can shift repeated behaviors and feel more in control of choices.
Her background includes a master’s degree from New York University and many years providing therapy in community mental health settings and rural California. Melanie’s approach aims for concrete tools and steady support while working within each person’s pace and goals.
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How her approaches inform remote work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes noticing thoughts and choosing actions that align with personal values. It helps when avoidance or worry limits daily life and when someone wants tools to take meaningful steps despite difficult feelings.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, mood swings, and coping with everyday stressors.
Trauma-focused work involves addressing the impact of traumatic experiences on mood, relationships, and behavior. This approach helps people reduce reactivity and build stronger coping strategies for post-traumatic stress and long-term trauma effects.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will review concerns, goals, and preferences and recommend methods that fit the client. That choice can change as therapy progresses and as new needs emerge.
Confirm available session options before booking so you know which formats she currently offers. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They also let people continue work with a licensed professional from another location when in-person visits are impractical.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What types of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, anger, and self-esteem concerns. Additional focus areas include codependency, abandonment, self-harm, and personality or mood disorders.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative. She combines practical skills with trauma-focused work and acceptance-based approaches.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working with adults in community mental health and other settings.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is an LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - licensed in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.