What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“Melissa is a talented, kind, empathetic clinician. She has a deep clinical knowledge of DBT and expressive arts. Her
creative mind is active making connections and inquiries which helps deepen the therapeutic process. She is also warm and has a sense of fun about her. Melissa really gets the challenges parents face. She is a wonderful therapist and excellent person to chose in your healing journey. ”
CDMore than 1 year ago
“Melissa was compassionate and insightful as a therapist. She very quickly put me at ease as we got to know each other in our first session and she clearly did her homework in the time we spent out of session. In our next session, she had several ideas for ways to approach our work together and how I might deal with the issues plaguing me. I was impressed with her kindness, creativity, and flexibility. She truly listened to me and my body, responding to signs that I needed help creating a framework to safely observe my feelings from--and she actually helped me accomplish that! Melissa can help you unlock your own agency and power. She won?t just let you stew in an endless loop, rehashing old feelings and ruminating on negative thoughts. She will be a partner for much-needed change in your life. She has been for me.”
SGMore than 1 year ago
About Melissa Craven
Focus areas
Anxiety
Codependency
Perinatal Mental Health
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Sleep Problems
Burnout
Family Issues
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Groups
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Dialectical (DBT)
Art Therapy
Expressive Arts
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Melissa Craven
Are overwhelming emotions and self-criticism holding you back from being the parent, partner, or friend you want to be? Do you lay awake at night thinking about mistakes? Just below the surface is a part of you that is exquisite, courageous, and wise. You may need a mental health tune-up, deep work to process an injury, or ongoing support. I'd like to help you see beyond this difficult moment—I’d love to help you enjoy your life more.
I'm Melissa Craven, a licensed MFT (52019) with an emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy and over fourteen years at UCSF helping clients like you build skills to creatively cope with stress and overwhelming moods. I hold a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Some ways clients and colleagues have described my style:
"I'm a psychiatrist and clinical director who has known Melissa and her work closely for more than a decade. Melissa does excellent work and I trust her and recommend her without hesitation as a skilled and devoted therapist. She will support and be there for you throughout your journey in therapy." – Alla
"Melissa infuses her whole self into her work, blending compassion, humor, creativity, and tangible skills and techniques into her approach." – Erin
"Melissa holds the rare ability to hold the hard stuff and invite playfulness too." – Laura Lou
"Her warmth, humor, sense of play, and deep experience with expressive arts make her a wonderful therapist. You can always count on her finding creative ways of helping you reconnect with yourself." – Jane
What should a new client know about working with you?
You can disentangle from old patterns, imagine new possibilities, and connect to what's most important. You may benefit from the skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to address overwhelming moods and relationship conflict, Expressive Arts Therapy to understand issues at a deeper level, and positive psychology to build happiness through researched practices. You also may employ strategies from Internal Family Systems therapy to map out stress responses and practice a stance of self-compassion. You can get rejuvenating sleep again through goals-based in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Especially if you are struggling as a soon-to-be, new, or established parent, I'm ready to help.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I will call you after booking for a free, 15-minute consultation to discuss goals in treatment and answer any questions you may have. In our first session, we will cover information about your treatment background, struggles, and hopes. In subsequent sessions, I will follow your lead. You may need to talk through an issue, learn a coping strategy, or practice forms of expression.
Melissa Craven, LMFT is not in-network with any insurances
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
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- California Institute of Integral Studies, Master's in Counseling Psychology
- University of California, Berkeley (Bachelor's)
Professional memberships
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Awards and publications
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Association Convention 2022
- University of California, San Francisco, Psychiatry Grand Rounds, 2021
- Expressive Therapies Summit, 2023
NPI number
1568955755
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
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
7 reviews
Most relevant
Melissa is a talented, kind, empathetic clinician. She has a deep clinical knowledge of DBT and expressive arts. Her
creative mind is active making connections and inquiries which helps deepen the therapeutic process. She is also warm and has a sense of fun about her. Melissa really gets the challenges parents face. She is a wonderful therapist and excellent person to chose in your healing journey.
More than 1 year agoCD
Melissa was compassionate and insightful as a therapist. She very quickly put me at ease as we got to know each other in our first session and she clearly did her homework in the time we spent out of session. In our next session, she had several ideas for ways to approach our work together and how I might deal with the issues plaguing me. I was impressed with her kindness, creativity, and flexibility. She truly listened to me and my body, responding to signs that I needed help creating a framework to safely observe my feelings from--and she actually helped me accomplish that! Melissa can help you unlock your own agency and power. She won?t just let you stew in an endless loop, rehashing old feelings and ruminating on negative thoughts. She will be a partner for much-needed change in your life. She has been for me.
More than 1 year agoSG
Melissa has a wonderful way of facilitating groups. She's able to hold the group in a way that one feels emotionally safe, heard, and not judged but also keeps room for play and laughter. Melissa holds the rare ability to hold the hard stuff and invite playfulness too. I've experienced her facilitating style in a workshop setting. She is able to expertly guide her participants through expressive arts experiences that are not only fun but insightful. I can't recommend Melissa highly enough.
More than 1 year agoLP
Melissa is great, creative, and her sessions were very active. She combines a lot of different types of art into her work which was a refreshing change from just talking about things with other therapists. She has a lot of experience from working at UCSF for over a decade.
More than 1 year agoJS
Melissa has been a friend and colleague for almost 10 years. Her warmth, humor, sense of play and deep experience with expressive arts make her a wonderful therapist. You can always count on her finding creative ways of helping you reconnect with yourself. Don't hesitate to call her!
More than 1 year agoJA
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
June 15, 2023Abigale S.Verified patientVideo visit
June 13, 2023Sara F.Verified patientVideo visit
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
How soon can I make an appointment with Melissa Craven?
Generally, Melissa Craven has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Melissa Craven's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Melissa Craven accepting new patients?
Melissa Craven generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Melissa Craven's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Melissa Craven accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Melissa Craven is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Melissa Craven online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Melissa Craven using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Melissa Craven work with?
Melissa Craven works with Melissa Craven Therapy.
What are common reasons for patients to see Melissa Craven?
Melissa Craven frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Melissa Craven on their profile.
What languages does Melissa Craven speak?
Melissa Craven speaks English.
How do patients rate Melissa Craven in reviews?
7 patients have reviewed Melissa Craven. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. 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.