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Therapist in San Marcos, California Melanie Dawson, Therapist

Gender Identity: Female (She/Her)

Ages Served: 18-75+

Appointments: Telehealth only. In-office visits not available

Manages Medications: No, provides therapy only

Accepts Insurance: Yes - View accepted plans

Melanie Dawson, Therapist

Melanie Dawson, MA, LMFT

Specializes In:

Anxiety
Career & relationships (mid-life)
Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
Early adulthood: Starting college or career
Empty nesters
Panic attacks
Parenthood
Religion & spirituality
Stress management
See all specialties >

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

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
  • Career & relationships (mid-life)
  • Caregiving
  • Dementia & memory issues
  • Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
  • Early adulthood: Starting college or career
  • Empty nesters
  • End-of-life challenges
  • Family conflict
  • Fertility
  • Focus, concentration & memory
  • General relationship issues
  • Grief & loss
  • Marital stress or divorce
  • Menopause & perimenopause
  • Other women's health concerns
  • Panic attacks
  • Parenthood
  • Parenting
  • PMS & PMDD
  • Post-partum depression & anxiety
  • Pre-conception
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Premarital counseling
  • Racial identity
  • Religion & spirituality
  • 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
  • Stress management
  • Aging
  • Attachment issues
  • Body image
  • Career & relationships (mid-life)
  • Career & work issues
  • Caregiving
  • Depression/feeling down
  • Eating issues: binging
  • Empty nesters
  • End-of-life challenges
  • Family conflict
  • Fertility
  • Focus, concentration & memory
  • General relationship issues
  • Grief & loss
  • Immigration/cultural status
  • Marital stress or divorce
  • Menopause & perimenopause
  • Other women's health concerns
  • Parenthood
  • Parenting
  • PMS & PMDD
  • Post-partum depression & anxiety
  • Pre-conception
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Premarital counseling
  • Racial identity
  • Retirement
  • Self-esteem
  • Sexual trauma
  • Social injustice
  • Social skills & communication
  • Stress from ongoing health issues
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Unhealthy eating habits

Couples Therapy

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

  • Anxiety
  • Career & relationships (mid-life)
  • Empty nesters
  • Panic attacks
  • Parenthood
  • Stress management
  • Ability status
  • ADHD
  • Attachment issues
  • Attention & focus
  • Body image
  • Career & work issues
  • Caregiving
  • Dementia & memory issues
  • Depression/feeling down
  • Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
  • Early adulthood: Starting college or career
  • Family conflict
  • Fertility
  • Focus, concentration & memory
  • General relationship issues
  • Grief & loss
  • Marital stress or divorce
  • Menopause & perimenopause
  • Other women's health concerns
  • Parenting
  • PMS & PMDD
  • Post-partum depression & anxiety
  • Pre-conception
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Premarital counseling
  • Racial identity
  • Religion & spirituality
  • Self-esteem
  • Sexual trauma
  • Social skills & communication
  • Stress from ongoing health issues
  • Trauma & PTSD

Languages

  • English

Education

  • Antioch University

FAQs

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

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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.

Lindsay S.

Aug 21, 2021
Google 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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Jennifer S.

Jennifer S.

Nov 11, 2022
Google Google
She is great,understanding and encouraging
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Louise T.

Louise T.

Mar 14, 2025
Google Google
Excellent experience
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Charles D.

Charles D.

May 11, 2026
Google Google
Excellent experience
Read Full Review
Kimberly H.

Kimberly H.

Feb 13, 2026
Google Google
Excellent experience
Read Full Review
Shannon W.

Shannon W.

Jan 19, 2024
Google Google
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The testimonials and reviews shared on our platforms reflect the personal experiences and opinions of individuals voluntarily shared on third-party sites (e.g., Google). These reviews are voluntarily provided and are not compensated, solicited, or endorsed by LifeStance Health.

Important Notes:

  • Reviews do not represent the views of LifeStance Health, Inc., its clinicians, or affiliates
  • Individual results may vary – testimonials are not guarantees of similar outcomes
  • We do not independently verify the clinical accuracy or authenticity of statements
  • Clinician qualifications, expertise, and fit for your specific needs should be assessed through direct consultation

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