- DBT skills
- EMDR processing
- Guilt and shame
About Melissa
Melissa Fogle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 21 years of clinical experience. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and major life changes. Melissa also focuses on caregiver stress, communication problems, control issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, self-love, and women's issues.
In sessions she helps people notice what keeps painful feelings alive and develop clearer ways to respond. She uses practical skills and evidence-based approaches to help people manage intense emotions and reduce avoidance. Conversations are straightforward and paced to what each person can handle.
Melissa often integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to build emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and stronger communication. She may also use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for distress tied to past traumatic memories when that fits the person's goals.
Her style is collaborative: she and the client set goals and try small, testable changes between sessions. Work can include learning coping strategies, practicing new ways to talk about hard things, and processing memories that keep shame or guilt active.
People who come for help can expect clear explanations of methods and practical steps aimed at day-to-day functioning. Before starting, confirm current session options and logistics when you schedule a first appointment.
How DBT and EMDR can fit into online sessions
DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, focuses on teaching concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships. It often uses short exercises and repeated practice to help people respond differently to shame, guilt, or anxiety.EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a method for processing distressing memories that continue to cause strong reactions. In practice it involves guided attention and structured processing to help reduce the emotional charge tied to past events.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Melissa will review goals, symptoms, and preferences with each person and recommend what may help most. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed based on how the work proceeds.
Session logistics and formats are not detailed in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and help fit sessions into a busy week. It can also allow for shorter check-ins, less travel time, and flexible timing that works around caregiving and work demands.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and life transitions. Additional focuses include caregiver stress, communication problems, control issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, self-love, and women's issues.
How would she describe her therapeutic approach?
She uses practical, evidence-informed methods with a collaborative style. That can include learning emotion regulation and communication skills and processing difficult memories.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 21 years of professional work experience as a clinician in California.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT, practicing in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.