
MELISSA BARSOTTI,LCSW #64017
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Thank you for visiting this website.
I have officially closed my private practice to
dedicate my full time and energy to raising my son.
For former clients
Feel free to reach out to me, preferably via the client portal if you would like to sign a release of information to have a treatment summary sent to your new therapist.
Regarding Disability: I am not AMA certified and am unable to provide any documentation regarding disability or impairment. This is a sensitive matter. Please consult with your medical physician.
When looking for a therapist, you can also specifically inquire if the therapist
is trained to evaluate for impairment or disability, and if they are certified to do so.
Regarding Emotional Support Animals: Unfortunately, I am unable to provide you with a letter for an Emotional Support Animal, due to no longer serving as an active provider.
You can consult with your medical physician about this.
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Please visit the resource tab to find a list of therapists in North County San Diego.
How to Find Help for a Crisis
People in crisis can get immediate help by calling 911.
If you are considering suicide you can also call the National Suicide Lifeline available 24 hours per day,
every day at 1-800-273-8255.
Urgent help is also available at your local hospital emergency room or by contacting your local crisis line.
San Diego Access and Crisis Line (For mental health emergencies, suicide prevention and referrals to treatment): (888) 724-7240
https://up2sd.org/resources/suicide-prevention-and-support/
Please also see my Resource tab for a list of therapists in North County San Diego.
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Thank you.
SERVICES

Offered in English or Spanish
Individual therapy for individuals ages 17 and up.
Consultation and Supervision
Issues
Addiction
Alcohol Abuse
Anxiety
Codependency
Coping Skills
Depression
Divorce
Drug Abuse
Dual Diagnosis
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Grief
Life Transitions
Peer Relationships
Women's issues
Racial Identity
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Identity, Sexuality
Stress
Substance Abuse
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma and PTSD
Mental Health
Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders
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Accessibility
Teletherapy Available
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Treatment Approach
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)
Culturally Sensitive
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Experiential Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT)
Motivational Interviewing
Relational
Trauma-Focused
Trauma-Informed
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Modality
Individuals

ABOUT ME
My experience: I have enjoyed working as a therapist for the past 10 years.
I am licensed and trained in several evidence-based approaches.
I am authentic. I approach you the way I would anyone in my life, with respect, and without bullshit. Yes! Therapists can curse! My goal is to meet you where you are without imposing myself onto you. I observe and teach you how to observe yourself nonjudgmentally and with kindness. This is what is referred to as mindfulness.
Know that I will provide a secure and compassionate space where you can be your full self and together we will attend to emotional wounds and come to a place of healing, acceptance of what is out of your control, and finally, letting go and embracing the full you.
I bring to my practice a deep commitment and training in a variety of therapies, including EMDR. I find that what is most important in therapy, however, is the dynamic relationship you and I will have. I do not have the pleasure of witnessing you with others so I will often address what is happening between you and I. Often times, working on our communication and addressing vulnerability with me will easily generalize to other relationships you have, such as with a partner or with family and friends.
FAQ

How much does each session cost?
The cost of each 50-minute session is $125. Payment is made at the end of each session. I accept cash, check, and most major credit cards. If you would like to invest in therapy for yourself, but feel that this cost is too high for your current situation, I offer limited sliding scale slots and would be happy to talk to you more about your options.
How does insurance work?
I currently am only accepting self-pay clients at this time. I am considered an out-of-network provider for insurances. Contact your insurance provider to determine if you have out-of-network outpatient therapy coverage.
Some questions to consider are:
• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• How much will I be reimbursed? (Most insurance companies reimburse between 50-80% after your deductible is met.)
If you use your insurance, you will make payment directly to me and I will provide you with a super-bill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
How do we start?
Contact me to schedule your free 15-30 minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and expectations for therapy. We can determine if I am a good match for your goals and then will schedule sessions appropriately. If you are interested in starting therapy but are experiencing barriers and/or scheduling conflicts that prevent you from traveling to me, contact me and we can discuss teletherapy options.
How long are therapy sessions and how often will we meet?
Sessions are generally 50 min and usually scheduled weekly. However, therapy is an individual process and no two people's journeys are the same. We will establish mutual goals with a timeline that seems appropriate to your needs and concerns.
What is your cancellation policy?
I require at least 24 hours notice of cancellation. If the appointment is not canceled with 24 hours notice, you will be charged the full session fee.

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TELETHERAPY & ONLINE THERAPY
What is teletherapy?
Teletherpay simply means you can receive counseling services from the convenience of your own home without having to drive to a therapist’s office. I use a secure platform to connect with you and all you need is a web link to access our session.
Why would teletherapy sessions be of benefit to me?
Teletherapy may be helpful for those with very full schedules who still want to access therapy services but want to do so in an efficient and convenient manner. Teletherapy may also be helpful for those who live in a remote area and have access to limited quality therapy services.
Does it feel strange or awkward to have virtual sessions?
It is actually quite similar to having an in-person session as we are still able to make eye contact and see one another's body language.
What do I need to have a teletherapy session?
It is important that you locate yourself in a secure and safe place where you have privacy and internet connection. You will need a standard computer or a mobile device. No special hardware or software are necessary. I incorporate mindfulness in my therapeutic work so you may want to have aromatherapy, a refreshing drink such as lemon or cucumber water, or tea nearby. I utilize our five senses to help calm and stabilize the mind and body.
5 Tips for eliminating barriers to an online therapy session and improve call/video quality:
1. Restart your computer before a call. Other software might be using computer power or interfere with your video or microphone. Restarting your computer will assure your computer is refreshed and ready for video. If you don't want to restart computer, at least restart your browser and close unused programs.
2. Use fast internet with ethernet cable. Video quality adapts to internet speed, so the faster and more stable your broadband connection (or mobile signal), the better the video quality you will receive. If you share internet with others, your quality could be affected if they are also streaming movies or downloading huge files at the same time.
3. Use a newer computer with plenty of speed. Sending and receiving encrypted video takes a lot of computer power. Old or slow computers will have a harder time processing the video, which can cause choppiness. Use a new or more powerful computer if possible.
4. Use headphones. Typically your computer will automatically eliminate echo or audio feedback so you don't hear yourself talking. But if it happens, use headphones to prevent the issue.
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RESOURCES

Meditation Links:
Mental Health Emergency/Suicide:
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San Diego Access/Crisis Hotline (For mental health emergencies, suicide prevention and referrals to treatment): 1-888-724-7240
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National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Domestic Violence:
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
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Center for Community Solutions (Domestic Violence Hotline and services based in San Diego/Escondido): 1-888-385-4657
Addiction:
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Alcoholics Anonymous (12-step support group)
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Narcotics Anonymous (12-step support group)
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SMART Recovery (research and skills-based addiction support group)
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Alanon (Support for families affected by addiction)
Additional Resources:
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Elizabeth Hospice (Grief support): 1-800-797-2050
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Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth): 1-866-488-7386
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NAMI (support for people and families affected by mental illness)
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PTSD Self-Help (from the VA)
List of Therapists Nearby

PSYCHOTHERAPY BOOKS



FORMS

Intake Form
General Policies, Procedures, & Consent Form
Telehealth/Teletherapy FAQs

CONTACT ME
Thank you for visiting this website.
I have officially closed my private practice
to dedicate my full time and energy to raising my son.
Please visit the resource tab to find a list of therapists in North County San Diego.
If you are a former client but have not had a session with me in the last 3 months, please also use the resource list of therapists in the area.
If you have a specific question or need from me,
please try to use the client portal or call or email me directly.
Sincerely grateful,
Melissa
Mindful Therapy Practice
Melissa Barsotti, LCSW
550 W. Vista Way
Suite 107
Vista, CA 92083
Tel: (626) 893-0480
Fax: (760) 536-1896
HOURS:
N/A