Santa Rosa · Sonoma County
In-Office Child & Adolescent Counseling in Santa Rosa
Specialized therapy for children and teens facing ADHD, anxiety, and life transitions. Warm, evidence-based care from a fully licensed clinician, helping kids build healthier relationships, ease stress, and grow in confidence.
Private-pay practice · Mon–Fri 9 AM – 5 PM · 4415 Sonoma Hwy, Suite G, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Care for every stage of childhood
From preschoolers to teenagers, support is tailored to where your child is developmentally.
Ages 3–6
Early Childhood
Play and body-based support for toddlers and preschoolers who are too young for talk therapy.
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Ages 7–12
Children
Help for anxiety, focus, big feelings, and school and friendship challenges.
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Ages 13–17
Teens
A confidential space for stress, anxiety, identity, and life transitions.
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Compassion-informed, evidence-based care
Every child is met where they are. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, somatic techniques, play, and sand tray therapy to help children process difficult emotions, build trust, and develop healthier ways to cope.
- ✓ Build healthier family and school relationships
- ✓ Cope with stress, worry, and big emotions
- ✓ Improve mood, focus, and confidence
How I help
What families say
“As a fellow mental health professional, I highly recommend Melissa for families navigating the challenges of ADHD. She connects with both children and teens, creating supportive environments where they feel empowered. Her approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored.”
Janine Piernas, LCSW
via Colleague referral
“Melissa does amazing work with teens. She is warm and authentic!”
Victoria Bowers, MA, LMFT
via Psychology Today
“My son has had only 4 sessions with her and she has been able to get him to talk about more than his last therapist could get out of him in a year and a half.”
Parent of a client
via Zocdoc
“I could not speak more highly about Melissa. She has genuinely brought me to a place where I actually feel happy, and given me tools to deal with the problems I come across.”
Client
via Grow Therapy
Reviews shared from third-party platforms including Psychology Today, Zocdoc, and Grow Therapy.
Common questions
Can I get a free consultation?
Yes. Before scheduling your first appointment, you can book a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can make sure I am the right fit for your child and family.
How do I schedule a therapy session for my child?
Prior to our first in-office appointment, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. From there we will find a time that works and I will send over the intake paperwork to complete before your first session.
What should I expect during the first therapy session?
At the initial intake session we review the paperwork, talk through consent and privacy, and discuss what brought you in. Then we begin shaping goals together. For younger children, the first visits often center on play and building trust.
Do you offer virtual therapy sessions?
I currently offer in-office sessions only, from my office at 4415 Sonoma Hwy, Suite G in Santa Rosa. In-person work lets me use play, movement, and sand tray therapy that are difficult to replicate over video.
Do you accept insurance?
I am a private-pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. Bypassing insurance keeps your child's care private, with no diagnosis placed on a permanent insurance record, and lets treatment be guided by your child's needs rather than network limits. I can provide a superbill on request for out-of-network reimbursement.
What is the rate for each session?
I charge $150 per 50-minute individual session and accept checks, cash, and Venmo.
Let's see if we're the right fit
Finding the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and decide your next step.