Melana Serka, LMFT
Practical compassionate therapist for families
- Family and relationships
- Stress and anxiety support
- Parenting and life transitions
About Melana Serka
Melana Serka is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 14 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting pressures, and complex family dynamics. As a single mother by choice, she blends professional training with lived experience to understand the mental load that comes from balancing family, work, and personal needs.
Melana works with individuals, couples, and families who are ready to identify what is not working and begin practical, sustainable change. Her style is grounded, compassionate, and pragmatic, focusing on solutions and strengths while drawing on evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside solution-focused and strength-based strategies. She supports clients in building clearer communication, healthier boundaries, and more satisfying relationships while addressing mood concerns, trauma, parenting challenges, and life transitions.
Whether someone is seeking relief from anxiety or wants to redesign their family life with more joy and connection, Melana offers a collaborative approach that honors each person’s goals and values. She aims to help clients gain clarity, momentum, and confidence as they make meaningful changes.
Melana works with individuals, couples, and families who are ready to identify what is not working and begin practical, sustainable change. Her style is grounded, compassionate, and pragmatic, focusing on solutions and strengths while drawing on evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside solution-focused and strength-based strategies. She supports clients in building clearer communication, healthier boundaries, and more satisfying relationships while addressing mood concerns, trauma, parenting challenges, and life transitions.
Whether someone is seeking relief from anxiety or wants to redesign their family life with more joy and connection, Melana offers a collaborative approach that honors each person’s goals and values. She aims to help clients gain clarity, momentum, and confidence as they make meaningful changes.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTTrauma and abuseEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Autism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Eating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Melana Serka have?
Melana Serka has 14 years of clinical experience.
Is Melana Serka a licensed therapist?
Yes. Melana Serka holds the LMFT credential, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her license is listed as CA LMFT 104135.
In which languages does Melana Serka provide therapy?
Melana Serka provides therapy in English.
Where is Melana Serka located?
Melana Serka is located in California.
How can I work with Melana Serka as my therapist?
You can work with Melana Serka through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Melana Serka work with international clients?
Melana Serka does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Melana Serka cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with a therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches for online support and growth
Melana Serka draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered methods, and dialectical behavior therapy to tailor online sessions to each person's needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors so they can reduce anxiety, manage mood, and approach problems more effectively. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel heard and can explore values, goals, and practical next steps at their own pace. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches specific skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and coping with distress in healthier ways.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Melana works collaboratively to determine which strategies fit a client's goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adjusts techniques over time as needs change to support steady progress.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to access licensed professionals from different locations. This variety of formats supports consistent engagement, timely support between sessions, and practical options for people balancing family, work, and other responsibilities.