About ALIGNMENT MENTAL HEALTH

I'm MELISSA MCCORMICK
It's great to meet you.
One of the main lessons I have learned in my 10+ years of sitting with clients is that the therapist and client connection is one of the most important aspects of therapy. It is crucial for the therapist to be able to create a space for the client to be safe and heard. In my own experience of talk therapy, I was left wanting more. As I have done my own inner work and connected with my body through years of chronic pain and healing, I have found somatic approaches to therapy brings lasting change to both me and my clients. My approach is direct, honest, and compassionate. I aim to hold hope for clients in the places they have long felt hopeless.
Along with my own journey through therapy, spirituality is another avenue that has brought me great freedom. I integrate evidenced-based clinical approaches with spirituality for those who value a mind, body, and soul approach. I also value people of all ethnicities deeply, and take great care to construct a therapeutic approach that honors all cultures, races, and orientations. In addition, like many local San Diegans, I enjoy being outside as much as possible, particularly in water. Growing up with 3 sisters inspired my passion for women’s issues, sense of humor, and desire for deep authentic relationships.
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I work with individuals who are:
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Struggling to live with the effects of trauma and challenging life experiences
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Living in chaos and unable to regulate their lives, emotions, and nervous systems
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Overwhelmed by an eating disorder, body image issues, or obsession with health
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Living with anxiety, depression, or shame that affects their daily lives
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People unsure how to manage emotions related to chronic illness or health issues
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Desiring to work through past and present family issues
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Desiring healing from abuse, assault, and neglect
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Grieving losses either of loved ones or painful life circumstances, changes, and disappointments ​​​

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Education
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MA, Marriage and Family Therapy — Bethel Seminary San Diego​
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BA, Psychology — San Diego State University
Affiliations​
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California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists​
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EMDR International Association
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Licenses
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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​State of California #100203
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State of Colorado #0002707
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Specialized Training
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Disordered Eating: 10+ years of experience treating individuals with eating disorders and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
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EMDR Certified Therapist: specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which can help alleviate the effects of traumatic and distressing life events such as abuse and shame.
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Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate: specialized integrative training on the role of attachment and the body in the healing of trauma
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Grief and Loss: worked as a bereavement counselor working with terminally ill clients and their families in both pre and post bereavement.
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Eating Disorders in Sport Symposium 2019: Studied the intersection of eating disorders and elite athletics.
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Somatic Experiencing: body-centered therapy that helps people heal from trauma and stress-related disorders by processing trauma in the body (Certification in process) ​​
And I said to my body, softly,
I want to be your friend.
It took a long breath. And replied,
I have been waiting my whole life for this.
nayyirah waheed