Dr. Melanie Gonzalez, LMFT, PsyD

Dr. Melanie Gonzalez, LMFT, PsyD

Psychotherapist
CA
4.97
“Her straightforward and honest approach has been immensely valuable to me. I wholeheartedly recommend her! ”
SF
Highly recommended
97% of patients gave this doctor 5 stars
Excellent wait time
100% of patients waited less than 30 minutes
New patient appointments
Appointments available for new patients on Zocdoc

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The office partners with Zocdoc to schedule appointments
External video visit

Scheduling details

  1. See if they are in network

What patients are saying

Overall rating

4.97

Average wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

5.00
“Her straightforward and honest approach has been immensely valuable to me. I wholeheartedly recommend her! ”
SFMore than 1 year ago
“Dr Gonzalez has helped me in my growth through the last 3 years of grief and life transitions I highly value her and our work together.”
GEMore than 1 year ago

About Dr. Melanie Gonzalez

Focus areas

Affirming Therapy
Counselling For First Responders
Transgender Care
Anxiety
LGBTQ+ Counseling
BIPOC Mental Health Issues
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Individuals

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Multicultural
Gottman Method
Trauma Focused
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Identity

Gender

Female

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latinx

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Dr. Melanie Gonzalez

You don't have to keep carrying this alone. Something brought you here — maybe it's anxiety that won't quiet down, pain you've been pushing through, or a quiet knowing that you deserve more than just coping. Whatever it is, I want you to know: reaching out is already an act of courage, and you've come to the right place. How I work My approach is holistic and body-informed — meaning we don't just talk about what's happening in your mind, we explore where stress, trauma, and emotion live in your body too. This deeper level of work leads to real, lasting change, not just insight. Sessions with me are collaborative, direct, and grounded in genuine care. I meet you exactly where you are. Who I specialize in working with I have a particular passion for supporting BIPOC women navigating life's complexities — from burnout and anxiety to identity, empowerment, and racial trauma. I know what it means to move through a world that doesn't always make space for you, and I create that space unapologetically here. I also provide affirming, knowledgeable care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse clients, and those in non-traditional relationship structures. You will never have to educate me or minimize yourself in our work together. My areas of expertise include: - Anxiety & emotional overwhelm - PTSD & trauma recovery (including medical and physical trauma) - Racial trauma & BIPOC-specific stress - Women's issues & empowerment - LGBTQIA+ identity & affirming care - Social justice-related stress Why clients choose to work with me I believe therapy should feel like a true partnership — one where you feel seen, challenged in the best ways, and supported as your most authentic self. My clients often describe feeling genuinely understood for the first time, and leaving sessions with both clarity and tools they can actually use. Ready to take the next step? Book your session right now and we can get started.

What should a new client know about working with you?

As an integrative therapist, I incorporate three main theories in my approach to clients. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, and/or Mindfulness. But, as I cater to each and every client specifically, I may incorporate other modalities (such as art therapy) as deemed appropriate to help ensure I am meeting your specific needs. PLEASE NOTE: DR. GONZALEZ ONLY ACCEPTS THE FOLLOWING: LYRA AND PRIVATE PAY. IF YOU PLAN TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND GET REIMBURSED BY YOUR PPO HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, WE WILL PROVIDE A SUPERBILL FOR YOU TO SUBMIT TO YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

Once you schedule an appointment, you will receive your intake documents through your email to be completed electronically in the client portal of our electronic health record. They will need to be signed in order to begin services. These forms include: informed consent forms, intake questionnaires, demographic questionnaire, and credit card form, if private pay, a fee agreement will also be included. The exact forms will depend on the treatment service and need for counseling. During the first session, I will cover briefly go over practice policies and your intake questionnaires to ensure we have a good grasp for establishing treatment goals. The first session will be used to gather more information about yourself (or your relationship with your partner), your relationship with the problem at hand, and establishing clearly defined goals for treatment, as well as establishing therapeutic rapport to ensure a comfortable space for your continued growth in treatment.

Is this doctor in your insurance network?

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In-network insurances

Dr. Melanie Gonzalez has +1 in-network plan.

Don’t see your insurance?

It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more

Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $200 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $200 for 50 minutes

    More information on payments and coverage

    PLEASE NOTE: DR. GONZALEZ ACCEPTS: PRIVATE PAY & LYRA EAP. IF YOU PLAN TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND GET REIMBURSED BY YOUR PPO HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, WE CAN PROVIDE A SUPERBILL FOR YOU TO SUBMIT TO YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER. We accept credit cards, HSAs and FSAs to cover costs. Please note we have a 48 hour late cancellation fee of $100 that will be charged to the card on file for any late cancellations.

    Popular visit reasons

    Anxiety Disorder
    Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    Boundary Issues
    New Patient Visit
    Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)
    Psychotherapy
    Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
    Therapy
    Anxiety Disorder
    Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    Boundary Issues
    New Patient Visit

    Education and background

    Practice names

    Education and training

    • Alliant International University, PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy
    • Syracuse University, Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy
    • Syracuse University, Certificate in Advanced Study in Trauma

    Professional memberships

    • American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
    • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

    NPI number

    1932565165

    Patient reviews

    All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
    Overall rating
    4.97
    Wait time
    5.00
    Bedside manner
    5.00
    Trust Banner Shield
    Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
    30 reviews
    Most relevant
    Her straightforward and honest approach has been immensely valuable to me. I wholeheartedly recommend her!
    Highly recommend Dr. G, she's very affirmative and supportive and challenges appropraitely to help you grow.
    Her expertise and compassionate guidance have been instrumental in strengthening our relatio
    Dr. Gonzalez has helped support me through my transition. She's really great.
    Dr. Gonzalez has supported me through a lot. I know she will help alot of others.
    We can't thank her enough for the positive impact she's had on our lives
    Truly an intelligent, thoughtful therapist.
    Dr. G reads me. She gets it.
    Dr. G helped us a lot. We recommend her.
    Dr Gonzalez has helped me in my growth through the last 3 years of grief and life transitions I highly value her and our work together.
    Dr. Melanie is a caring, intelligent, and warm therapist with a ton of experience. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking to feel validated and work through tough issues.
    There is a natural warmth to Dr. Melanie which it reflects into her work. She is knowledgeable, professional, trusting and nurturing.
    Dr. Melanie Gonzalez is a highly experienced, compassionate, and dedicated therapist. Her years of experience and training are demonstrated in her ability to connect and guide her client's in their growth and healing. I highly recommend Dr. Melanie.
    Dr. Melanie Gonzalez is very knowledgeable, kind and caring. She goes above and beyond to provide excellent mental health services to her patients and their families. I highly recommend her for your counseling needs.
    Melanie really helped me fix my communication problems in my relationships. I think she helped me to see things differnetly which was really helpful in my relationships.
    I had my first session with Dr. Gonzalez, and I feel she seems able to help me increase my coping skills to manage my stress. I am looking forward to working with her.
    Frequently asked questions

    How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Melanie Gonzalez?

    Generally, Dr. Melanie Gonzalez has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Gonzalez's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

    Is Dr. Melanie Gonzalez accepting new patients?

    Dr. Melanie Gonzalez generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Gonzalez's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

    Does Dr. Melanie Gonzalez accept my insurance?

    Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Gonzalez is in-network.

    Can I make an appointment with Dr. Melanie Gonzalez online?

    Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Gonzalez using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

    What practice does Dr. Melanie Gonzalez work with?

    What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Melanie Gonzalez?

    Dr. Melanie Gonzalez frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Melanie Gonzalez on their profile.

    What languages does Dr. Melanie Gonzalez speak?

    Dr. Melanie Gonzalez speaks English.

    How do patients rate Dr. Melanie Gonzalez in reviews?

    30 patients have reviewed Dr. Melanie Gonzalez. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.97/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.

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