Therapy for a calmer, clearer, more grounded you.
Melissa rodriguez, marriage and FAMILY THERAPIST IN ca
Anxiety therapy in West Los Angeles for a calmer, more grounded you.
Welcome! I am Melissa Rodriguez, LMFT the founder of Strong Minds and Kind Hearts Counseling. I am here to support you in navigating through the challenges life can bring you. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma, and depression. I also have 7 years of experience working with children of all ages. Specializing in childhood mental health disorders primarily treating children with behavioral, anxiety disorders, and trauma. I offer a kind, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space to support individuals across the lifespan—from children to adults, through hard times and self-exploration.
My goal is to help you feel your best and empowering you. I combine a variety of knowledge from behavioral sciences with understanding of each person's uniqueness and individuality. Whether helping children build emotional resilience, supporting teens through life’s challenges, or guiding adults on their journey toward healing and growth.
What it’s like to work with me
Clients describe my style as warm, grounding, and direct.
I bring a blend of:
Mindfulness & nervous system regulation
CBT and evidence-based tools for anxiety
Attachment-based and relational therapy
Somatic approaches to calm the body, not just the mind
You’ll learn skills you can use immediately — while also exploring the deeper emotional patterns that keep anxiety looping.
MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Compassion.
Therapy is a place free of judgment. I meet every client — whether child, teen, or adult — with understanding, empathy, and patience. You (or your child) are seen for who you truly are, and your experiences are validated and respected.
Safety.
A sense of emotional and physical safety is essential for growth. I create a space where you can express your thoughts, feelings, and worries openly. Children, teens, and adults alike are supported in exploring their emotions at a pace that feels comfortable.
Privacy.
Confidentiality is foundational in therapy. What you share stays private, and I work with transparency about limits of confidentiality, so you or your family can feel secure in the therapeutic process. For minors, parents are involved in a way that protects the child’s voice and trust.
Play.
Especially with children and teens, play is a powerful tool for expression and growth. Through creative activities, games, storytelling, and age-appropriate exercises, clients can explore emotions, practice coping skills, and learn self-regulation in a natural, engaging way. Play isn’t just for kids — adults may also use experiential exercises and mindfulness practices to access insight and healing.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
I’m committed to ongoing education & training to best support you and your family.
License No. LMFT 126597
Attended Pepperdine University, Masters of Arts Clinical Psychology Emphasis: Marriage and Family Therapy, Graduated 2018
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Parent Child Interactive Therapy
Child Parent Psychotherapy