Profile image of Melissa  Pollock

Melissa Pollock

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
California
Anxiety - Eating disorders & disordered eating- Life transitions- Depression- Existential crisis & challenges-Perfectionism-

See Melissa's Details for:

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & Fees

Professional statement

Melissa Pollock, LCSW, is a Licensed psychotherapist and wellness expert in San Diego, CA. Melissa approaches her practice in way that promotes her clients' healing from symptoms of mental illness and emphasizes a path to greater mental wellness. In her practice, Melissa provides a quality of presence that is emotionally attuned and radically genuine.

She helps clients seeking relief from anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, problematic relationship patterns, and the overall stresses of life. Her emphasis on developing a self-to-self relationship is a cornerstone of her process. She provides adapted mindfulness training in other venues including for groups children and in workplaces looking to foster a employee wellness.

Clients working with Melissa have a safe place to process their struggles. She also focuses on providing skill building and emotional coping methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) among others. Melissa is an expert as utilizing front-line, evidence-based treatments to address dysfunction through the overall lens of holistic and emotional wellness.

Melissa earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Here, she developed a passion for working with professionals, artists, writers, creatives, first-generation anyone, and those transitioning into new phases of life (young professionals, newlyweds, parents, etc). Melissa co-creates a comfortable, explorative atmosphere to support clients on their wellness journey.


Message to clients

Self-expression is a human need. We all need not only to express our experiences, but to be heard in doing so. Being truly heard helps us process, understand, and move through our lives with awareness and compassion. There are so many things that can get derail us along the way: internalizing stress and dysfunction, not having been heard in your past, debilitating symptoms, and more.

I provide a quality of presence and listening that is non-judgmental, emotionally-focused, compassionate and most of all, helpful. I am here to really hear you. I see the innate goodness within you that may have been blocked for any number of reasons. In working with you, I will not only help you achieve stability, I will help you access true wellness through the relationship you'll develop with yourself.

I love working with young adults and adults especially those who are artists, creatives, athletes, healers and writers. Together we can look at the ways our art can imitate our lives (the good and the bad!) and look for effective routes to creative self-expression.

I assist clients by providing evidence-based relief from symptoms, I'll carefully attend to the verbal and non-verbal information you give me. The holistic and spiritual lens I work from allows clients to develop wellness in every aspect of their lives. If this is something that lines up with your values and views on life, reach out today.


Work and Education

Years of Experience: 11 years

Melissa Pollock Intentional Therapy, Therapist, Owner
San Diego Serene Therapy, Therapist
University of California San Diego Eating Disorders Center, Clinical Social Worker
University of Michigan Psychological Clinic, Intern, Fellow

University of Michigan School of Social Work, M.S.W, 2013
Benedictine University, B.A., 2011

Licensure

California: 76707

Languages

English

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Eating disorders & disordered eating - Reducing unhealthy eating patterns, beliefs, and behaviors, such as restricting, purging, and binging; healing the emotional pain surrounding disordered eating

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Existential crisis & challenges - Supportive exploration of meaning and purpose in one’s life; finding one’s path in the face of existential anxiety, dread, and feelings of meaninglessness

Perfectionism - Coping with feelings of anxiety, stress, self-criticism, and procrastination; addressing unrealistic expectations of one’s self and negatively comparing self to others




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours

I’ll be on leave until January 2023; please send a message if you’d like to be added to my waitlist.


Insurance

Melissa Pollock is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions:$175 (50min)
  • Initial session:$175 (50min)
  • Couples sessions:$225 (65min)
  • Family sessions:$225 (65min)
  • Workplace Mindfulness Sessions$200 (20min)
  • Healing ritual session$200 (50min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Every other week
  • As needed
Therapist's note

Packages for workplace mindfulness and healing meditations are customized.