Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in San Bernardino, CA

Melinda Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy. I received my MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in 2002 and I have been licensed since 2008.

I am open, approachable, and committed to listening carefully to your experiences without judgment. I believe that each person carries a unique story, and my goal is to provide a supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and encouraged as you navigate life’s challenges and opportunities for growth. Together, we can explore what is most important to you and work toward creating a life that feels meaningful, authentic, and aligned with your values.

My background includes earning a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, along with a lifelong appreciation for personal growth, nature, and the healing power of connection. Growing up learning to surf fostered a deep respect for the ocean and the lessons it offers about resilience, balance, and adapting to life's changing conditions. These experiences have shaped my belief in the importance of honoring each individual’s journey and recognizing that growth often comes through both challenge and reflection.

Welcome! Congratulations on taking your first step toward finding a therapist. Having experienced the therapeutic process myself, I understand that seeking support can be challenging and takes courage. You can do this!

After 10 years experience in counseling, I specialize in a range of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In addition, I am in the process of developing my knowledge base in Somatic Experiencing (SE) therapy. My experience with these treatment modalities allows me to tailor treatment to your unique needs and experiences.

I believe that in order for therapy to be effective, the client has to participate in the process. I am not a magician. I don't have a magic wand. Changing old behaviors and patterns can be difficult and painful but i am willing to be there to support you on your journey to better health.

I truly believe we are all connected in some way. Systemically, there are many ways to improve the way we relate to our own self, and with others. My philosophy is when I improve, everyone else around me improves. My own experiences have informed the way I approach problems and seek solutions, with the goal of being happier and performing better. Throughout my life, I’ve been in the service of others. I am a US Army Veteran and have many years experience training/development of others.

I have been a counselor for more than 30 years. I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believe that genuine caring is an essential element to an effective counseling relationship. Over the years I have worked with clients with significant trauma and loss. I consider it a privilege to stand with another individual as he or she resolves great pain. I specialize in treating clients with trauma, relationship issues, and borderline personality disorder.

I specialize in supporting people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, trauma, life transitions and much more. I have extensive experience working with high acuity teens, and I also work with adults of all ages who are navigating imbalance, self-acceptance uncertainty, or emotional overload. I support parents who need guidance in understanding their child’s needs or simply a calm place to process their own feelings. No matter your age or background, if you are struggling to find balance and peace in life, I am here to help.

My approach begins with the belief that life poses great challenges for all of us. Through these challenges, we develop adaptive patterns that may help us survive but can also bring disharmony. I aim to help you bring awareness to these patterns, loosen their grip, and reshape them so you can find greater balance and harmony in your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.

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 have found my own personal healing to be intimately connected to nature, and it is here that I believe that we can all begin to rediscover our intrinsic humanity and let go of those things that distract us from our higher selves. In my spare time, I work as an outdoor educator and manage my own private practice and guide Outdoor Retreats

I believe it is helpful and important to translate what is discussed in session and in telehealth meetings into lived experience and real change.

I offer a space where rigorous thinking and genuine connection work together. I draw on psychoeducation and clinical reasoning to help adults make sense of complex patterns in their relationships, identities, and the systems that shape daily life. I see clients remotely throughout California and Nevada, with one goal: moving you from insight to sustainable progress.

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who provides compassionate, evidence-based care for adults. My approach is clinical, trauma-informed, and whole-person, meaning I look beyond symptoms alone and consider the many parts of life that shape mental health. I believe care should feel collaborative and supportive, not overwhelming. My goal is to help you feel understood while creating a treatment plan that fits your life, values, and goals. Whether you are seeking medication management, in-office IV or IM ketamine treatment, or support through a difficult season, I want you to feel safe, respected, and empowered.

Trauma-Informed. I specialize in treating adults with unresolved childhood traumas / C-PTSD. I deeply understand how early life experiences shape present-day struggles—I specialize in helping people heal from those roots, not just manage surface-level symptoms.

I am trained in powerful, evidence-based and experiential modalities like EMDR, IFS-informed parts work, Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Safe and Sound Protocol, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Not one-size-fits-all—I tailor treatment to each individual’s nervous system, attachment patterns, and inner world.

Most importantly, I show up as a therapist: I provide a warm, safe, and non-judgmental space where clients can be fully seen, heard, and validated. I understand that reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, and I meet clients with compassion, patience, and respect for their pace.

I am committed to helping clients work through inner emotional conflicts so they can move toward a more stable, fulfilling, and connected life—not just symptom relief, but real, lasting transformation.

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. As a licensed therapist practicing in both California and New York, I believe deeply in the inherent resilience and transformative potential within every individual. I earned my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout my clinical practice, I have supported clients across all life stages in navigating complex emotional challenges, including trauma, anxiety, and depression, while empowering them to cultivate healthy, fulfilling interpersonal relationships.