Understanding yourself can change the way you respond to yourself. This idea is central to Melody’s work with teens and young adults, particularly those who are neurodivergent or learning how ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, and other aspects of their experience influence everyday life.

Melody recognizes that clients may arrive with years of frustration, self-doubt, or feeling as though they should be handling things differently. Instead of focusing only on what is difficult, she helps clients recognize how they function best, identify strengths they may overlook, and develop strategies that make sense for their actual lives. Academic pressure, anxiety, depression, relationships, identity, grief, and changes in work or life can all become part of that conversation.

Self-compassion is woven throughout Melody’s clinical work. She encourages clients to replace harsh self-judgment with greater curiosity while still developing concrete ways to handle difficult emotions and situations. Her sessions can incorporate ACT, CBT, DBT, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused techniques, depending on what the client needs. The goal is for insight gained in therapy to translate into something useful outside of the office.

In addition to providing therapy, Melody is involved in psychological testing at Monarch. Her experience in both areas allows her to appreciate the value of gaining a clearer understanding of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns while recognizing that an evaluation is only one part of a person’s larger story.

Away from work, Melody enjoys spending time with her daughter and family. She is also a proud UTSA cheer alum, sports fan, and enthusiastic supporter of the Roadrunners.

*While Melody works with autistic individuals, her psychological testing work is limited to what the clinic is able to provide. For a complete list of the psychological testing Monarch offers, read more here.