Melissa Saenz, Therapist Intern

Hello, there! I’m so happy you’ve landed here.

I hope that as you read this page, you can feel the care, curiosity, and warmth that I bring into the therapy room. Seeking help can be a vulnerable step, and simply being here speaks to your courage, resilience, and hope for something different. Whether you’re moving through a life transition, rediscovering who you are, learning to trust yourself, or finding your voice, together we can create a space for self-reflection, self-discovery, and new possibilities.

 My preferred frameworks are Narrative Therapy and Relational Cultural Theory. These approaches align with my belief that healing happens through connection, empathy, and meaning-making. I believe that one of the most important goals of therapy is to get back to who you are and to become who you were meant to be. Through the therapeutic process, you may recover parts of you that were lost, forgotten, or silenced, while gently releasing the stories that no longer serve you.

I am interested in exploring areas such as inner child work, mending relational wounds, and helping individuals create a more accepting and compassionate relationship with all the parts of themselves. Transformation and healing involve honoring the lived experiences, identities, and inner voices that make us who we are.

I am currently a clinical mental health counseling graduate student at St. Edward’s University. Before entering the counseling field, I earned my B.A. in English and Art History from The University of Texas at Austin and spent several years teaching English at the high school level. My academic and professional journey has been shaped by an appreciation for storytelling, diverse human experiences, and creating spaces where others feel seen, heard, and uplifted.

I would be honored to hold space for your story and walk alongside you as you write new chapters, turning pages toward growth, wholeness, and belonging.