Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Laguna Niguel, CA

Thank you for reading this. Having a background in grassroots and non-profit work as well as teaching, I am fiercely passionate about equity, social justice and liberation for all people. The therapeutic relationship is unique and radical --- your words have exquisite power and we get to think together about what they mean.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing mental health services in behavioral health, crisis intervention, community mental health, and medical settings. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflict, and other emotional challenges.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I work alongside clients to build on their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Throughout my career, I have provided therapy and clinical support in outpatient, community-based, hospital, college mental health, and correctional settings. In my private practice, I provide bilingual psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing trauma, stress, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and behavioral health issues. I also have extensive experience supporting foster, adoptive, and biological families caring for children impacted by trauma and attachment-related difficulties.

My professional background includes crisis stabilization, risk assessment, treatment planning, wraparound services, and multidisciplinary care coordination for youth and families with complex needs. I am also a part-time lecturer in the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where I teach and mentor future social workers.

I am passionate about culturally responsive care, equity in mental health services, and helping clients feel empowered throughout their healing journey. I provide services in both English and Spanish and welcome clients from all backgrounds.

My style is collaborative, client-centered, positive-energy, and solution-focused. I support my clients in developing solutions based on their goals and aspirations. My ideal client is one who is willing to "go deep," to learn about aspects of personality, behavior, and character that can contribute to developing a more profound sense of joy and fulfillment. Many of my clients are searching for meaning and purpose of in their lives. Its exciting and rewarding work. On a personal level, I am warm, caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I read widely and draw from the fields of neurobiology, addiction medicine and positive psychology.

I love working with couples experiencing relationship distress, communication challenges, and seeking improved emotional intimacy. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with addictions of all kinds, both substance and behavioral. I work well with individuals seeking to lower their anxiety, tackle their depression, and recover from grief and trauma.

If you are experiencing relationship issues, the aftermaths of trauma, depression, or anxiety, please reach out; you can feel better and achieve a greater degree of self-acceptance, self-esteem, and discover your purpose and meaning in life.

I have personal experience in the business world and artistic expression.

I'm Melody Claiborne, a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) licensed in Washington and California. I specialize in ADHD, anxiety, and depression, offering thorough diagnostic evaluations and personalized medication management for adults. I believe in care that sees the whole person — not just a diagnosis. Having witnessed patients go unheard during their most vulnerable moments, I built my practice around genuine advocacy and connection. I work at your pace, in a safe and supportive environment where your concerns are fully heard and your goals guide your treatment.