Melissa is ten out of ten stars! Sessions are the perfect blend of compassionate, reflective listening, perceptive insight, and practical tools/advice. She is especially gifted at noticing and highlighting patterns or blind spots in a kind, thoughtful, and supportive way. I think Melissa would be a good fit for anyone, but I especially want to encourage my fellow empaths and HSPs to seek her out... you won't be disappointed!
Melissa Herrera, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 11 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Melissa is attentive, motivating, and great at organizing the emotional chaos; helping find tethers to reality and wellness.
More about Melissa
- 8 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Hello and welcome!
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (LCSW) and I have been working in the counseling field since 2010. I have experience working in outpatient and residential settings with individuals with a range of ages experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, and a wide range of challenges.
I use a person-centered, and integrative approach with the individuals I serve. This means that I make consistent efforts to meet you "where you are at". I hope to support you in being a catalyst to progress through your unique process of self-discovery and self-identification. I utilize relationship building, experiential and narrative approaches, and solution-focused therapy. During sessions, we are a team, addressing challenges together to become free from judgment, criticism, and pain.
I believe in creating a space where we can have difficult conversations, work on resolving challenges, and collaborate together to identify goals tailored to your personal needs and experiences. It takes a lot of courage and motivation to reach out for support. I am here for you and thank you for trusting me to support you on your team.
I am available for unscheduled communication with subscribers Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm. I generally can respond at least once per morning and once per evening, sometimes more! You can also book a live session with me which can range in times throughout the week; please view "Schedule a session with your counselor" to schedule a time for us to live chat, video, or call.
Please remember that BetterHelp (or sister site!) is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away!
I look forward to working with you!
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Sleeping disorders
Self esteem
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Anger management
Career difficulties
Depression
Coaching
Codependency
Communication problems
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Emptiness
Family problems
First responder issues
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Phobias
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sexual assault and abuse
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Licenses
Melissa Herrera's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1679807994.
- LCSW · California · 66499 · Expires July 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Melissa Herrera
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Melissa is ten out of ten stars! Sessions are the perfect blend of compassionate, reflective listening, perceptive insight, and practical tools/advice. She is especially gifted at noticing and highlighting patterns or blind spots in a kind, thoughtful, and supportive way. I think Melissa would be a good fit for anyone, but I especially want to encourage my fellow empaths and HSPs to seek her out... you won't be disappointed!
Melissa is attentive, motivating, and great at organizing the emotional chaos; helping find tethers to reality and wellness.
I have only had a couple of sessions with Melissa but I already feel like I have been seeing her for a long time. She immediately makes you feel at ease from the moment your first session starts. I am really looking forward to seeing how things progress in our upcoming meetings.
She is awesome. Getting to know her and will be able to update as we go. But i really like her and her style. Always happy and smiling which has a calming effect on me.
Melissa is amazing! She has been so patient with me since I’ve started my sessions with her. She has guided me in a way that has allowed me to open up which has helped me grow immensely! She is very honest and and genuine. Her being invested in me has made me be invested in myself and I have noticed the changes occurring in my life for the better. I would recommend Melissa to anyone who is looking starting to take their mental health seriously but doesn’t know where to start and for those who want to continue to grow and find new ways to be better! She is amazing!
Melissa is wonderful. So happy to be working with her, especially because I was so hesitant to do online counseling in the first place. Really grateful for Betterhelp and the experience I've had!
I’ve been working with Melissa for about 5 months, and she has been amazing. We have worked on all sorts of things in our sessions—pandemic wellness, self-care and self-image, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships and more. She has been helpful, kind, professional and supportive throughout everything. She has provided me with many helpful tools I use everyday to support my own well-being and manage tough life changes. I have found it hard to connect with therapists in the past, and my experience with Melissa has been such a positive change. Grateful for her and her warm energy, and I am glad BetterHelp connected us!
Melissa helped me to talk through issues with depression, anxiety, family, and my career. We did a lot in just two months. I now have a much clearer path and am managing my stress much better. I would definitely work with her again.
Great counselor who listens and very personable!
I immediate felt comfortable and understood by Melissa. She walked me through Better Help and all the resources they offer. I am very happy to be working on myself with such a great counselor.
Melissa is fantastic. She really listens and is really understanding. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I’ve never done therapy before, but she truly is great. I feel supported and I feel like she takes a bit of the world off my shoulders each time I talk to her.
Frequently asked questions
Does Melissa Herrera offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Melissa Herrera works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Melissa Herrera speak?
Melissa Herrera speaks English.
How many years of experience does Melissa Herrera have?
Melissa Herrera has 8 years of experience.
Where is Melissa Herrera licensed to practice?
Melissa Herrera is licensed to practice in California.
Does Melissa Herrera accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Melissa Herrera does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Melissa Herrera offer?
Melissa Herrera offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Melissa Herrera?
Melissa Herrera can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Melissa Herrera?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.