Melissa Herrera, AMFT 161403

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Bilingual Trauma Therapist

Supervised by Teresa R. Morales, LMFT 114980

(805) 258-4540

melissa@irimiyacounseling com

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) trauma therapist offering a deeply attuned, integrative approach to healing for teens, adults, and couples. My work is grounded in the understanding that trauma is held not only in the mind, but also in the body and nervous system, and that meaningful healing requires compassionate attention to the whole self.

My approach integrates bottom-up approaches, somatic therapy, and parts work, offering a nuanced, mind-body framework for trauma resolution. Through this lens, I support clients in processing unresolved experiences, developing a more compassionate relationship with themselves and each other, and moving beyond survival-based patterns into greater regulation, connection, and authenticity.

I work with teens navigating identity, emotional overwhelm, and the impact of early or ongoing trauma, helping them build insight, regulation, and a stronger sense of self. With adults, I support the processing of both recent and long-standing trauma, including experiences of sexual assault, domestic violence, and complex relational wounds, while also addressing anxiety, depression, and grief.

In my work with couples, I focus on helping partners understand the ways trauma and attachment patterns shape their relationship dynamics. I support couples in slowing down reactivity, deepening emotional connection, and creating new patterns rooted in safety, communication, and mutual understanding.

I bring a steady, grounded presence to my work, creating a space where clients feel both supported and gently guided toward meaningful, lasting change.

  • Melissa’s clinical training at Strength United included providing individual, family, and group therapy in both English and Spanish, allowing her to serve diverse communities with cultural humility and depth. She is skilled in comprehensive assessment and treatment planning, always centering her work in safety, collaboration, and respect for each client’s unique story.

    Her background as a Sexual Assault Counselor Advocate further informs her clinical work, having supported survivors through forensic exams and legal processes. This experience deepens her capacity to hold complex, vulnerable experiences with care, professionalism, and unwavering respect.

    Melissa is known for her warmth, insight, and intentional presence. She is deeply committed to creating a therapeutic experience that feels both grounding and transformative—one where clients can reconnect with themselves, restore a sense of inner safety, and move toward a more integrated and empowered way of being.

    Supervised by Teresa R. Morales, LMFT 114980

    • Sexual Trauma

    • Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence

    • Emotional and Psychological Abuse

    • Trauma-related Anxiety, Shame, and Dissociation

    • Childhood Trauma (including neglect, abuse, and emotional wounds)

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma (long-term or repeated trauma)

    • Anxiety and Depression Related to Trauma

    • Toxic Family Dynamics

    • Relationship Issues

    • Couple's Counseling

    Population: Children 4+, Tweens/Teens and Adults.

    Affirming Therapist for LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity, and BIPOC

    • Somatic Therapy

    • Internal Family Systems (Parts Work)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • TF- CBT

    • Person-centered

    • Strength-based

    • Attachment Theory

  • $135 / 50-minute session 

    Gold Coast Healthcare Plan / Medi-cal, Optum, United Healthcare, UMR, Ventura County Healthcare Plan, Victims of Crime

  • In Office and Telehealth:

    Monday - Friday (10 am - 6 pm)

  • M.S., Marriage and Family Therapy (December 2025) California State University Northridge (CSUN)