Title: Clinical Program Director

Credential: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Location(s): Arden Oaks & Fair Oaks

Years With Evolve: 0.5

Melissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Clinical Program Director for Evolve Arden Oaks and Fair Oaks. With over a decade of experience across residential, outpatient, and community mental health settings, she excels at helping teens recognize their own strength and potential during their most challenging moments. Melissa is dedicated to the process of helping adolescents gain insight and develop healthier ways to cope, empowering them to take ownership of their choices and build the resilience necessary for a fulfilling future.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. Throughout her career, Melissa has developed a specialized focus on trauma-informed care and family systems, including Bowen and Structural models. Her expertise in crisis intervention and high-stakes environments allows her to provide compassionate, evidence-based support to teens navigating depression, anxiety, and complex family dynamics.

Melissa’s professional journey includes pivotal leadership roles overseeing PHP/IOP programs and multidisciplinary treatment teams. As a Clinical Program Director at Evolve, she guides the clinical and operational direction of our Arden Oaks and Fair Oaks residential programs to ensure every family receives the highest quality of care. She focuses on building alignment across her clinical teams, maintaining rigorous regulatory standards while creating a structured, purposeful environment for healing. She believes that lasting change occurs when families and the treatment team work in unison, and she remains passionate about providing parents with the practical tools and clear guidance needed to sustain progress at home.