Melissa Freitas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, specializing in trauma therapy with extensive training in EMDR and Brainspotting. For the past decade, she has dedicated her work to supporting first responders, helping them navigate the unique challenges of trauma and stress.

Melissa has provided crisis and trauma intervention at the local, state, and federal levels, working in the field after natural disasters to offer immediate psychological support. With a deep passion for trauma-informed care, she has spent 15 years as a Clinical Advisor for crisis teams across five counties in California, bringing her expertise in crisis response and intervention to diverse communities.

Her commitment to trauma work extends beyond direct care—Melissa is also a professor at the University of San Francisco, where she teaches Law and Ethics and Trauma and Crisis Counseling. She is deeply passionate about mentoring new therapists, ensuring they develop strong clinical foundations. She also shares her knowledge with nonprofit organizations throughout California, helping them implement trauma-informed practices.

Outside of her professional life, Melissa loves to travel with her family and enjoys spending time with her retired therapy dog, Russ.