Melissa Hood
LICENSED Marriage and Family Therapist (#150495)
She/Her/Hers
I believe therapy can be life-changing and am committed to supporting you on your journey towards healing, growth, and well-being. I am adept at working with clients—both individuals and couples—who have experienced challenging life events, and who may be working through painful unresolved trauma or attachment wounds. My areas of specialization include grief and loss, couples work, trauma, infertility, and non-traditional family-building. I also love working with creatives. In my view, therapy is an opportunity to process our pain and suffering, while also building up our resilience for positive emotions (like joy and happiness!), so that we can move forward.
In my work with couples, I enjoy meeting with diverse couples at all stages of their relationship. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and enjoy facilitating deeper communication, empathy, intimacy, and emotional connection. My practice promotes mindful relating, somatic awareness, and insight into individual attachment styles, needs, and desires. For many couples—depending on the goal of therapy—this work can help move their relationship towards a more secure and healthy attachment.
Every person/couple is unique, so I take an integrative approach that is curated for you. In our sessions together, we will uncover the root causes of patterns, behaviors, and symptoms that may be showing up in your life. Ultimately, my goal is to empower you with the awareness of Self necessary to meet your own desires, to release what no longer serves you, and to expand the experience of meaning and purpose in your life.
Before moving to California from Toronto, and becoming a therapist, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental & Cultural Studies from Trent University and worked in the Eastern Canadian Arctic, where I had the privilege of collaborating with Indigenous Elders and community leaders. I was later invited to a residency at the Canadian Film Centre. I worked in the film industry for over 10 years as a producer, performer, and coach and am deeply attuned to the unique challenges faced by creative industry professionals.
I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in Los Angeles and went on to gain clinical experience working with diverse populations at both Counseling West and the Alcott Center for Mental Health.
In all of my work, I strive to bring creativity, curiosity, and cultural humility. My clients have come to know me for being insightful, down-to-earth, and optimistic about their capacity to heal. If you are interested in working together, please feel free to book a consultation call with me.