Therapists in San Mateo, CA

I treat men and women dealing with anxiety, career stress, relationship and communication difficulties, workaholism, imposter syndrome, OCD, panic attacks, coping with large changes, and other significant life events. Clients I work with may also be grappling with perfectionism, indecision or overthinking, anger, irritability, or "men's issues" and are looking for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from a seasoned professional. Treatment goals are often to improve quality of life, achieve personal/professional growth, live a more fulfilling human experience, get unstuck, and strengthen their skills to enhance personal growth.

Greetings...I have been a licensed therapist since 1987 and specialize in working with men, women and couples. I have been facilitating men's groups since the early 90's in my Redwood City office. My work is grounded in my deep understanding of the human experience and how we want to better understand ourselves and each other. Many of us lack some of the skills to accomplish this. I see myself as an experienced, wise and compassionate guide helping others navigate and master emotional challenges. Let me join you for a time on your life's journey.

I see a variety of individual adults and couples in my practice. I believe psychotherapy is an important tool in helping people discover their natural ability to heal, to love and to grow. I strive to help people develop awareness and trust in their instincts, coming to better know who they are. My focus with clients is to help them discover new ways of relating with themselves and others. I specialize in anxiety/trauma issues, depression, adolescence, couples and sexuality concerns. I use EMDR in my work and I teach Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy classes.

Are you tired of talking endlessly about the problems in your relationships and are ready to find solutions? Are you frustrated with all the general relationship advice out there and just really want a professional therapist to understand your unique situation and guide you through it? I’m Dr. Melissa Risso, and I can help. I am a Licensed MFT, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator with a passion for helping individuals and couples live better lives. My education, professional experience, and life experience have taught me how to listen to people without judgment.

Are you wanting more out of life and hoping your anxiety or relationship issues will resolve? Have you found yourself feeling hopeless, frustrated or unsure about your future? Do you ever experience panic attacks or overwhelming stress? Whatever your reason for seeking help, I want you to know you're not alone and I am here to offer help. I specialize in working with adults and teenagers on issues including anxiety, panic attacks, loneliness, and relationship issues. I also offer couples therapy sessions to help improve communication, build intimacy and learn conflict resolution skills.

If you've been struggling for awhile, your life can be different. You can't change your past. But you can change your future. You and your loved ones can write a fresh, new chapter for your individual lives and relationships.

I am licensed from the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage Family Therapist.  I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur with a Master's in Science Clinical Psychology MFT.  I was born in Greece and moved to the United States as a child, and have been a California Bay Area native ever since.  Growing up in a Greek household, I am able to speak Greek fluently and I am proficient in Spanish.  In my spare time, I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as languages are a passion of mine.

Emigrated from England in 2010, I have over 13 years of clinical experience in the Bay Area. During this time, I have honed skills, therapeutic tools, developed a unique style of engagement to facilitate positive change. I adopt humor, present authentically, and challenge those seeking support appropriately. I offer a therapeutic relationship built on collaboration, respect, accountability, and a safe environment conducive to personal growth. You will be supported to identify the root causes of challenges faced and helped to find effective pathways to achieve individualized goals.

Ok...let's start by talking, learning, and then we'll get coaching. Truthfully...you’re probably feeling stuck. Stuck in your relationship, your career, your role in life. Stuck with anxiety, stress, and unknowns. So, I keep it simple: first, let's just help you get...unstuck.

Changes are hard, but not impossible. I believe lasting change occurs through profound self-understanding and awareness. This can be achieved through a collaborative relationship where we talk and think together to gain insights and meanings. My role is to provide a safe environment where a trusting relationship can be built. By listening to your stories, I will help you process the thoughts and feelings that emerge in order to develop a deeper understanding of your past traumas, inner conflicts, and destructive patterns. These newfound insights will then guide you to make changes in your current relationships or life situations.

Wherever you are on life's journey, and whatever feelings or behaviors you feel stuck in, you are welcome here. ALL parts of you are welcome here, exactly as you are. I'm a licensed psychotherapist that uses an integrative approach to focus on your current concerns and goals using the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit. My goal is to establish a warm, supportive, authentic environment offering questions and reflections that can guide you in handling your challenges and making the changes you desire.

You may feel overwhelmed by life's complexities and the challenges within your relationships, seeking clarity and effective strategies to handle issues related to neurodiversity, high-performance demands, or personal and family challenges. It’s common to be a bit unsure about starting therapy, but together, we can work towards better mental health, personal growth, and even professional growth. This partnership will help you lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. In our sessions, you’ll find insights and practical tools to manage anxiety, stress, and relational conflicts, empowering you to thrive in every part of your life.

I am passionate about collaborating with you in moving your life towards a more whole, productive and vibrant self. I will assist you, being directive when appropriate, but with grace and patient sensitivity. I love to help individuals, couples, families and organizations develop their communication skills; and thereby, improve their relationships and overall family and organizational lives. I have an easy relaxed style, caring heart that also allows me to speak straight when there is need.

I'm an active, involved therapist, and no BS. If you are ready to feel good again, I'm ready to help you. Anxiety can be lonely, uncomfortable and scary. It seems like everyone else handles life's bumps perfectly, but for some reason, despite how intelligent you are, you can't get it together. I get it. Anxiety makes us play small. You don't have to give it that power any more. Let's find the place where the anxiety stops and you come through: Strong. Clear. Happy. Confident. Yourself. Because the life you were meant for is on the other side of this anxiety.

What would you do if you were given the chance to live life to the fullest? How would your days be different if you were not overwhelmed by stress and worry? Do you wonder if your relationships should somehow feel better? If you are frustrated with the way things are and you're looking for a change you are taking the right steps. You know that life could be better. You long to see your dreams realized. Relationships mended. Your goals achieved. You want to find more meaning in your life. Have deeper connections. And live according to what you know to be valuable and true.

My clients typically fall into three categories: 1) individuals with existential angst, questioning their trajectory in relationships, careers, and/or life; 2) individuals suffering from a myriad of compulsive behaviors/addictions; and 3) couples experiencing communication difficulties, misaligned values, discordant desires, or desiring archetypal reconstructions. My work emphasizes identifying & isolating troubling emotions that lead to negative thinking and behaving, and learning to think & act according to reason. I am offering in-person sessions and teletherapy.

Through my experience I have developed a therapeutic approach rooted in empathy, collaboration, and proactive skill development. My diverse professional background informs my compassionate approach to care. I value understanding clients' experiences and perspectives, working together we can address your mental health concerns, and empowering you with practical skills to cope with challenges and promote well-being. I am passionate about working with adolescents navigating the stressors of school and their teenage years, as well as helping high-achieving adults cope.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist whose specialty is helping others improve their relationships. I believe that we all aspire to have deep, loving connections in our lives. I will help you to remove hurdles that may be impeding such connections in your life. Often, among these hurdles may be unhealed childhood experiences, baggage from previous relationships, and dysfunctional relating styles. Becoming more clear on what you have inherited from your family and what you developed as coping mechanisms will be the first step in aligning with your authentic self.

I specialize in working with families, couples, and children & adolescents. I strive to form relationships with my clients built upon trust, authenticity and collaboration. Working together we are able to open and expand possibilities to heal from pain, transform destructive cycles, and grow towards richer, more satisfying lives and relationships. Relationships often get stuck because we are unaware of ways we have hurt others and been hurt ourselves. Sometimes our best efforts to make things better seem to exacerbate the problem. I work to raise insight, facilitate healing, and open possibilities to connect in more satisfying ways.