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Melissa Fisher-Goldman

LCSW

Calm guidance for anxiety and life transitions

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Grief and loss
  • Eating and food issues

About Melissa

Melissa Fisher-Goldman is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California with 21 years of clinical experience. She supports people managing stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem struggles, and life changes. She also works with clients around LGBT issues and eating and food-related concerns. Melissa emphasizes that clients know their own stories and brings a supportive presence to therapy.

In sessions she focuses on reducing negative thinking and self-doubt. She helps people notice patterns that get in the way and practice different ways of responding. The work is practical and goal-oriented, with attention to building confidence and motivation.

Melissa draws on many evidence-based therapeutic techniques to tailor sessions to each person. She asks questions, listens for strengths, and offers tools clients can use between meetings. The approach is collaborative and paced to what feels manageable for the client.

Her background includes long-term clinical work in California settings, giving her experience with a wide range of life stressors. That experience informs how she supports people through transitions like divorce, fertility or parenting challenges, chronic illness, and grief.

People who meet with Melissa can expect clear conversation, concrete steps to try, and encouragement to notice progress. Her goal is to help clients move past self-doubt so they can make choices that bring more ease into daily life.

How Melissa Uses Evidence-Based Techniques Online

Melissa integrates evidence-based therapeutic techniques that are practical and goal-focused. One common approach she uses helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns; it teaches skills to notice unhelpful thoughts and try alternative responses to reduce anxiety and self-doubt. Another frequently used method focuses on building coping skills for life changes and grief, emphasizing short exercises and small behavioral steps that make daily life feel more manageable.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will collaborate with each person to find what fits their needs, goals, and comfort level. She listens for strengths and preferences, then proposes methods to try and adjusts them based on what helps most.

If you prefer online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online care can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. It can also let people continue work with a licensed professional while navigating life transitions or medical issues without changing locations.

License and NPI

LCSW California · No. 26077
NPI1235516634

As shown on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state board and an NPI with the national registry.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesCancerChronic pain, illness, and disabilityDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityLife purposeMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Experience

21+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Melissa commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem struggles, coping with life changes, and LGBT related issues, and also supports people with eating and food-related concerns.

How does she approach therapy sessions?

Sessions focus on practical steps and noticing unhelpful thinking. Melissa works collaboratively to build confidence and try tools between meetings.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 21 years of professional experience providing clinical care and has been a licensed clinical social worker for many years in California.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She is an LCSW, which stands for licensed clinical social worker, and practices in California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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