Therapist profile
Melanie Fikse, LPCC
LPCC in California - family and relationship concerns
Continue with MelanieAbout
- ACT
- CBT
- Trauma-focused
About Melanie
Melanie Fikse is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California with 12 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, and compassion fatigue. Melanie also notes focus areas such as abandonment, codependency, emptiness, and self-esteem concerns.
Her approach centers on methods that help people identify what matters to them and take small, practical steps toward better functioning. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered and trauma-focused work. Sessions look at thoughts and behaviors, while also attending to past hurts that continue to affect day-to-day life.
Melanie draws on twelve years of varied experience, including time providing care in community mental health settings. That background informs a down-to-earth style with an emphasis on practical skills. She often teaches coping tools such as grounding, behavioral experiments, and values-based action plans.
She works with people navigating mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, substance concerns, and the emotional strain of family problems. Melanie notes experience supporting LGBT people and those carrying grief, guilt, or shame. Her work aims to help clients recognize patterns, practice different responses, and restore more reliable functioning.
Her training and past roles have included work in both urban and rural settings. Sessions are conducted in English and based in California. To begin, prospective clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed action. It helps when worry or low mood get in the way of living a meaningful life by breaking goals into manageable steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and uses experiments and skill practice to change patterns that contribute to distress. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on carefully processing traumatic memories and teaching skills to reduce reactivity and improve daily functioning.Deciding which approach to use is a shared process. The therapist will discuss your situation, goals, and preferences and try methods that fit your needs. That collaborative work means techniques can shift over time as progress and challenges become clearer.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find remote sessions helpful because they can fit appointments into workdays, reduce travel time, or choose a quieter time for focused skill practice. Online work also makes it straightforward to review written worksheets, try behavioral experiments between sessions, and use brief check-ins when needed.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She practices client-centered work that is collaborative and practical, combining ACT and CBT ideas with trauma-focused techniques to address thoughts, behaviors, and past wounds.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has twelve years of experience providing therapy, including work in community mental health and in both urban and rural settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a California LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) and is based in California.
Does she work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.