She’s a wonderful woman who does seem to have my best interest in mind. Very sweet woman.
Melana Serka, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Melana is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- FSA/HSA accepted
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Melana. View 3 reviews
- Great news, Melana is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
She is a great therapist. She is quite experienced and thoroughly listens. Her feedback is thoughtful and respectful. She responds to messages efficiently and is an effective communicator. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
More about Melana
- 14 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
You don’t have to keep holding it all together by yourself.
Whether you’re navigating the pressures of parenting, the tension of a strained relationship, or the emotional weight of complex family dynamics—you’re not alone. You want peace, clarity, and stronger connections, but it’s hard to know where to start when you’re always the one holding everything up.
Hi, I’m Melana—a therapist and a single mother by choice. I understand the overwhelming mental load that comes with managing a family, a career, and relationships all at once. I bring both lived experience and clinical expertise to help you navigate the tough stuff with honesty, intention, and heart.
I work with individuals, couples, and families who are ready to explore what’s not working—and start making changes they’re proud of. My approach is grounded, compassionate, and practical. I use evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused techniques, and strength-based strategies to help you gain clarity and momentum.
If you’re ready to design a life with more joy, peace, and meaningful relationships, I’d be honored to walk with you.
Let’s figure it out—together.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Self esteem
Depression
LGBT
Trauma and abuse
Eating disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
ADHD
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Avoidant personality
Blended family issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Dependent personality
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fertility issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Money and financial issues
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Phobias
Postpartum depression
Pregnancy and childbirth
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Trichotillomania
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Melana Serka's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1891099727.
- LMFT · California · 104135 · Renews June 2027
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Melana Serka
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
She’s a wonderful woman who does seem to have my best interest in mind. Very sweet woman.
She is a great therapist. She is quite experienced and thoroughly listens. Her feedback is thoughtful and respectful. She responds to messages efficiently and is an effective communicator. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
She’s great. Going through a hard breakup and she has been very understanding and helpful to organize my thoughts and look positively towards the future.
Frequently asked questions
Does Melana Serka offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Melana Serka works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Melana Serka speak?
Melana Serka speaks English.
How many years of experience does Melana Serka have?
Melana Serka has 14 years of experience.
Where is Melana Serka licensed to practice?
Melana Serka is licensed to practice in California.
Does Melana Serka accept FSA/HSA?
Yes, Melana Serka accepts FSA/HSA meaning you can pay for sessions with your pre-tax healthcare dollars. Every year hundreds of thousands of people use their FSA/HSA to pay for therapy.
Does Melana Serka accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Melana Serka does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Melana Serka offer?
Melana Serka offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Melana Serka?
Melana Serka can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Melana Serka?
Just tap the BOOK NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.
FSA/HSA
eligible