Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Lutz, FL

With more than fifteen years of experience in behavioral health, my work is shaped by a deep commitment to helping individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered. My education and early training focused on counseling, addiction treatment, and behavioral health assessment, and I spent many years providing individual, group, and family therapy across detox, residential, and outpatient settings. I’ve worked closely with adults navigating substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, anger or impulse concerns, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and relationship or family challenges. I’ve also supported LGBTQ+ clients, justice‐involved individuals, and those managing chronic mental illness or complex psychosocial stressors.

In addition to my clinical work, I’ve spent more than a decade in behavioral health utilization management, leading teams that ensure clients receive appropriate, timely, and effective care. This blend of direct therapeutic experience and system‐level leadership gives me a unique perspective: I understand both the personal and structural challenges people face when seeking help. Clients can expect a grounded, compassionate, and collaborative approach—one that honors their story, builds on their strengths, and supports meaningful, sustainable growth.

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.