Melanie Dawson, MA, LMFT, Therapist in San Marcos, California

Specialties:

Anxiety Early adulthood: Independent l... Early adulthood: Starting coll... Mid-life transitions Panic attacks Religion, spirituality & menta... Stress management +32

Ages Served

18-75+

Does Not Manage Medication

Provides therapy only

Accepts Insurance

Yes - View accepted plans

About Melanie Dawson (She/Her)

Melanie Dawson holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and received her Marriage and Family Therapy license in 1992. She has worked with couples, children, adolescents and adults in private practice, family service agencies and a public school district. Her clinical experience includes working with anxiety, depression, grief, adjustment, trauma, parenting, couples, women’s issues and adolescent and young adult concerns.

Melanie draws from a variety of therapeutic techniques and uses short term treatment planning with achievable goals, giving attention to deeper issues when appropriate. Her compassion and acceptance underscore her focus on helping people learn skills and develop strategies to achieve sustainable results.

In her free time Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, her dog, horseback riding and the outdoors.

Types of Care & Ages Served

Family Therapy: Ages 18-75+
Individual Therapy: Ages 18-75+
Couples Therapy: Ages 18-75+

Areas of Focus

Family Therapy

Improve communication and resolve conflicts within family dynamics with a clinician's guidance.

Ability status
Aging
Anxiety
Attachment issues
Body image
Caregiving
Dementia & memory concerns
Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
Early adulthood: Starting college or career
End-of-life challenges
Family conflict
Focus, concentration & memory
General relationship issues
Grief & loss
Marital stress or divorce
Mental health during perimenopause
Mental health related to pregnancy & reproductive health
Mid-life transitions
Other women's health concerns
Panic attacks
Parenting
PMS & PMDD
Premarital counseling
Race, culture & mental health
Religion, spirituality & mental health
Retirement
Social skills & communication
Stress management
Unhealthy eating habits

Individual Therapy

Get help addressing challenges and improve well-being with a clinician's guidance.

Anxiety
Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
Early adulthood: Starting college or career
Panic attacks
Religion, spirituality & mental health
Stress management
Aging
Attachment issues
Body image
Career & work issues
Caregiving
Depression/feeling down
Eating issues: binging
End-of-life challenges
Family conflict
Focus, concentration & memory
General relationship issues
Grief & loss
Immigration/cultural status
Marital stress or divorce
Mental health during perimenopause
Mental health related to pregnancy & reproductive health
Mid-life transitions
Other women's health concerns
Parenting
PMS & PMDD
Premarital counseling
Race, culture & mental health
Retirement
Self-esteem
Sexual trauma
Social skills & communication
Stress from ongoing health issues
Stress related to discrimination & social injustice
Trauma & PTSD
Unhealthy eating habits

Couples Therapy

Helps partners address relationship conflict and improve communication with a clinician's guidance.

Anxiety
Mid-life transitions
Panic attacks
Stress management
Ability status
ADHD
Attachment issues
Body image
Career & work issues
Caregiving
Dementia & memory concerns
Depression/feeling down
Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
Early adulthood: Starting college or career
Family conflict
Focus, concentration & memory
General relationship issues
Grief & loss
Marital stress or divorce
Mental health during perimenopause
Mental health related to pregnancy & reproductive health
Other women's health concerns
Parenting
PMS & PMDD
Premarital counseling
Race, culture & mental health
Religion, spirituality & mental health
Self-esteem
Sexual trauma
Social skills & communication
Stress from ongoing health issues
Trauma & PTSD

Therapy Types

ACT Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
Faith Based Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Gottman Method
IFS Therapy (Internal Family Systems)
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Parenting Support
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Social Skills Training
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Strength-Based Therapy

Insurances Accepted

Languages

English

Education

Antioch University

Locations

LifeStance Health
300 Rancheros Dr
Ste 130
San Marcos, CA 92069

Get Directions Phone Number

760-593-3779

858-430-2736

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Frequently Asked
Questions About
Melanie Dawson

Please call us at 760-593-3779 to schedule an appointment with Melanie Dawson.

See what our patients are saying about Melanie Dawson

Dr. Dawson is patient, understanding and provides strong points to help me “see clearly” in the midst of my brain fog. I’m grateful for our discussions and truly benefit from having her guidance in my life.

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Lindsay S.

Aug 21, 2021

Google

My first experience with LifeStance has been so positive and warm. I can't wait for my next appointment with Melanie, she is so attentive and courteous.

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