Welcome to my practice!

Licensed in California (#26367) and New York (#026493)

EMDR Certified Therapist™

Clinical Psychology (American Board of Professional Psychology

Fellow in Thanatology (Association of Death Education and Counseling)

Relational Life Therapy (RLT) trained

My background is in integrative and humanistic psychotherapies. I believe in the importance of establishing an honest, safe, and genuine therapeutic relationship and using that relationship to foster change and increased self-awareness. The values and principles that guide my work are: presence, authenticity, transparency, autonomy, and care. I strive to learn about your emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, cultural, and relational aspirations. My approach is collaborative and my sessions are guided by your goals, concerns, and your readiness to make changes. I am always humbled and honored to be a part of my clients' journeys in making meaning, healing, and changing.

I provide both individual and couples therapy in person (Redondo Beach, CA) and telehealth in California. My clients have different cultural and professional backgrounds and often times seek therapy to when they are overwhelmed with life stressors (relationships, work stress, medical issues, grief, trauma).

I am a licensed, board certified clinical psychologist in California. I have been in practice for over 20 years and have worked with a range of issues in California, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Istanbul, Turkey.


I have had the honor of working with and learning from many individuals who were experiencing a variety of issues, most commonly in the following areas: trauma, PTSD, grief, depression, anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem, ADHD, social anxiety, interpersonal issues, gender/sexual orientation, career and work issues, stress and anger management, and relationship issues. I specialize in trauma and grief and have worked with survivors of sexual/physical abuse, torture and survivors of natural disasters. As an EMDR Certified Therapist™, I provide EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). I am also passionate about working with couples and my work with couples is based on Relational Life Therapy lens.

In addition to my clinical practice, I am the co-founder of Moral Courage Consulting, providing consultations on transforming moral distress and moral injury to moral courage and resiliency to healthcare providers, humanitarian aid workers and anyone in the helping profession.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Melis

424-254-8292

melisalkin@gmail.com

1200 Aviation Boulevard #102 Redondo Beach 90278 CA

Request Appointment

To schedule a brief free telehealth consultation to see if we may be a good fit click on request appointment. If the hours/dates listed don't work for you or if you prefer to contact me directly, please feel free to email/text to request a consultation or schedule an appointment.

My professional background

I majored in Psychology and French at Bates College, Maine and received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2002 and PsyD degree in Clinical Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology, with Integrative Psychology focus, in San Diego in 2004. I also obtained a second Master’s degree in Bioethics from Loyola Marymount University in L.A. 2017.

I have taught and practiced internationally throughout my career. My experiences include: working in private practice and group practice in Istanbul, North Vancouver, Los Alamitos, founding and directing a mental health program for asylum seekers and refugees in Istanbul; teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in Istanbul, Turkey and Vancouver, Canada. My practicum and internship sites include: Pomerado Outpatient Psychiatric Program, LGBT Center and Job Corps in San Diego.

Certifications / Trainings

Board certification demonstrates specialty expertise that is higher than competence required to be licensed as a psychologist. While most medical doctors are board certified, only 4% of psychologists in the U.S. hold board certification. There are several specializations in psychology. I am board certified in Clinical Psychology by American Board of Professional Psychology. For this certification, I had to demonstrate my competency through several written and oral examinations.

Fellow in Thanatology: Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) is an internationally recognized professional organization. To receive certification as a Fellow in Thanatology, professionals are required to demonstrate through professional experience, education and examination that they have mastered the body of knowledge in death, dying and bereavement. For this certification, I had to demonstrate that I had at least 5 years of experience in working with clients who were dying and/or bereaved, verify necessary education and training and pass the certification exam.

 End of Life Doula Professional Certification: I received this certification from University of Vermont (UVM) to enrich my knowledge about the dying process and grow my skills in providing emotional support and empowerment to clients who are facing death and assist loved ones in their grief and bereavement. 

Education/Qualifications

·       Doctoral and Master's Degrees in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA

·       Master’s Degree in Bioethics from Loyola Marymount University, CA

Licensure/Certifications

  • EMDR Certified

  • Fellow of Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement (Highest Certification as an Expert in Death, Loss and Bereavement from ADEC), December, 2018

  • Licensed Psychologist, California, May, 2014 (PSY26367)

  • American Board of Professional Psychology specialty board certification in Clinical Psychology (Certification Number: 6355)

Professional Memberships

  • Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), since 2018

  • American Psychological Association, Full Member since 2014

  • California Psychological Association, since 2014

  • American Board of Professional Psychology, since 2007

Awards/ Scholarships

·      Graduate Grant, Loyola Marymount University, M.A. in Bioethics

·      Seidler Bioethics Scholarship, Loyola Marymount University, M.A. in Bioethics

·      Outstanding Doctor of Psychology Award (2004), California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) San Diego, California