Melissa Nefalar, LMFT, PMH-C (she, her)
Owner and founder
Experience
I've been a practicing therapist since 2005 and I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (CA MFT#53720) for over 10 years in the Eastlake community of Chula Vista, CA. This means that I have well over 3,000 hours of clinical, supervised experience with the bulk of my experience focusing on children, teens, couples, and families. I've had experience as a Bereavement Counselor for San Diego Hospice focusing on supporting grieving families. I have worked for two local non-profits assisting children and teens with behavioral, emotional, educational, or ERMHS therapy needs. So if you have questions about mental health services in the school system, please ask me! I have provided school-based therapy services to military connected youth and I've also worked with families at Camarena Elementary as a Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC).
Education
Specialized Training/Certification
My Interests
Through my experience, I have learned that every person’s needs are different. I am honored in helping those experiencing grief and bereavement through helping families with the healing process of losing a loved one. I enjoy working with the elderly and older adult population through the life exploration process. As a mother, I also enjoy working especially with women’s issues perinatal, postpartum, parenting, and peri/menopause. The work I do strengthens relationships and brings about much needed change in sometimes chaotic or stressful lives.
When I am not busy helping others with their healing or growing process, I enjoy spending my time with family, friends, and enjoying what this world has to offer. I believe that self-care is one of the most important ways that we can maintain serenity and peacefulness, and I care for myself through taking dance classes, experiencing musical and theater performances, or watching an enjoyable movie. As a resident of Chula Vista I am excited and humbled to serve my local community.
I've been a practicing therapist since 2005 and I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (CA MFT#53720) for over 10 years in the Eastlake community of Chula Vista, CA. This means that I have well over 3,000 hours of clinical, supervised experience with the bulk of my experience focusing on children, teens, couples, and families. I've had experience as a Bereavement Counselor for San Diego Hospice focusing on supporting grieving families. I have worked for two local non-profits assisting children and teens with behavioral, emotional, educational, or ERMHS therapy needs. So if you have questions about mental health services in the school system, please ask me! I have provided school-based therapy services to military connected youth and I've also worked with families at Camarena Elementary as a Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC).
Education
- University of California San Diego - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Ethnic Studies
- San Diego State University - Master of Science in Counseling (emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy)
Specialized Training/Certification
- Certified in Brainspotting Level 1, 2, & 4 (Moneyspotting, Self-compassion, and kids/teens specialty trainings)
- Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C)
- Memberships in CAMFT, PHA, PSI
- Postpartum Health Alliance - Community Partnership Co-Chair (2020-current)
- Postpartum Support International California Chapter - Diversity & Inclusion Chair (2020-2023)
My Interests
Through my experience, I have learned that every person’s needs are different. I am honored in helping those experiencing grief and bereavement through helping families with the healing process of losing a loved one. I enjoy working with the elderly and older adult population through the life exploration process. As a mother, I also enjoy working especially with women’s issues perinatal, postpartum, parenting, and peri/menopause. The work I do strengthens relationships and brings about much needed change in sometimes chaotic or stressful lives.
When I am not busy helping others with their healing or growing process, I enjoy spending my time with family, friends, and enjoying what this world has to offer. I believe that self-care is one of the most important ways that we can maintain serenity and peacefulness, and I care for myself through taking dance classes, experiencing musical and theater performances, or watching an enjoyable movie. As a resident of Chula Vista I am excited and humbled to serve my local community.