Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Clermont, FL

I graduated with honors from National Louis University with my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2013 from Walsh University in Ohio. I taught children with varying exceptionalities and learning differences for five years. I have over ten years of experience working with children and adults with autism, ADHD, and various learning disabilities.

I utilize interventions of various approaches to best assist my clients in accomplishing their individual goals. These approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I am also a certified yoga teacher.

Drawing from twenty years of experience in education and principal of therapeutic schools, I have developed the art of conflict resolution with reticent learners, with parents, with couples and individuals. I have the skillset to support people and transform their perceptions of self to cope with communication issues, anger, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and trauma. My empathetic approach offers people to find positive and creative techniques. I am highly gifted in working to establish and enhance relationships between parent and child/husband and wife using conflict resolution to create opportunities. As a clinician of almost ten years, I interact exceedingly well with individuals and couples to support positive communication and achieve personal growth whether it be in a marriage, parenting/school skills, or within oneself. My understanding, compassion, and acceptance of people when they enter therapy create a safe and trusting environment to unpack problems and develop strategies that enhance well-being, stability, and alternative perspectives on how to address struggles/conflicts.

Welcome! Taking the first step toward seeking support can be one of the hardest — and most meaningful — parts of the journey. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals from all walks of life and have found that our greatest challenges often open the door to growth and change. My background is in mental health counseling, with experience supporting clients through substance use concerns, relationship and marital issues, adolescent behavioral challenges, and mood disorders.

My name is Melyssa Rivera-Lopez; a Forensic Licensed Clinician who graduated with high honors from Barry University. I have 20 + years of experience working in the field. Responsibilities include delivering evidence-based treatment options, assessments, diagnosis, recommendations pertaining to mental health status, and serving as an expert witness. Other functions include policy and program development, mediation, advocacy, and behavioral science research.

Therapy with me is very human and genuine. I don’t just focus on what’s painful or stuck but help to highlight the ways in which my clients overcome life's punches. While I take this work seriously, I believe laughter can be healing and disarming in therapy.

I earned my Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University and have worked in a variety of settings, including the foster care system, residential treatment, and community mental health. My background includes supporting individuals navigating trauma, persistent mental health conditions, substance use, eating disorders, and major life transitions. I’ve also worked with veterans, individuals who are unhoused, and LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

In my practice, I work with clients experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I also support clients with PTSD, some OCD presentations, and concerns related to gender, sexuality, and queer identity. My work is trauma-informed, affirming, and rooted in helping clients feel both emotionally safe and genuinely understood.