- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-informed care
About Melanie
Melanie Fikse is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California with 12 years of experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and problems that include mood disorders and addiction. Melanie also helps people struggling with anger, relationship strain, and the emotional fallout of life changes.
She uses a trauma-informed lens to guide sessions. That means she pays attention to how past hurts affect feelings and reactions today. Sessions are client-centered and collaborative. Melanie focuses on practical skills as well as understanding what drives a person’s responses.
Her work draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts and try different responses. She also uses trauma-focused strategies when past events continue to interfere with daily life. Those approaches are used alongside client-centered listening and supportive problem-solving.
Melanie’s background includes a master’s degree from New York University and many years working in community mental health. She has provided care in both urban and rural settings and has experience with diverse and underserved populations. That work shaped her focus on straightforward skills that people can use between sessions.
People seeking help for anger, impulse difficulties, or longstanding patterns like codependency or abandonment concerns may find her practical emphasis useful. She supports people working through loneliness, shame, and the mixing of mood and personality concerns. To begin, prospective clients follow the site process to match and schedule a first session.
How Melanie’s approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts without getting stuck in them and clarifies what matters most so actions can match values. It is useful for ongoing anger, resentment, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying thought patterns and testing them with new behaviors, which can reduce reactive responses and improve mood and impulse control. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on how past traumatic events shape current reactions and teaches ways to process memories and reduce their day-to-day impact.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Melanie will discuss goals and preferences and try methods that suit the client’s needs. Sessions often blend techniques rather than sticking to a single model, and adjustments are made as progress and feedback emerge.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know how she conducts appointments. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when needed. They can also let someone avoid sitting for long commutes while still working on practical skills for anger, stress, trauma, and mood management.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address related to anger?
She works with adults on anger alongside related problems such as impulsivity, relationship strain, guilt, and shame.
What is her general therapy style?
Sessions are client-centered and collaborative, focusing on practical skills and understanding how past experiences affect current reactions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of experience providing therapy to adults in community and clinical settings.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CA LPCC) and practices from California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.