Melissa Edwards

Melissa Edwards

Associate Clinical Social Worker #85113

Santa Cruz &
Telehealth

Medi-Cal Provider

Welcome to your first step on this healing journey. I offer a welcoming, empathetic, person-centered approach to working with people. I believe we all have inherent strengths that have helped us survive in this life. I aim to create a collaborative and safe place to heal and process. My belief is that with unconditional support you will learn more about yourself, develop awareness into your different parts, and learn how to use your strengths in order to grow deeper with compassion and love for yourself.

Using tenants of mindfulness, art, play therapy and by creating a warm therapeutic environment, individuals can feel comfortable expressing themselves and create positive change. I have extensive experience working with children, youth, and families, trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and school-related issues.

I recognize that each person has struggles and experiences unique to them and I tailor therapy based on the needs of each individual. By developing awareness and compassion for ourselves and others, we can begin to unpack our stories and view them through new lenses. I understand that childhood experiences and primary caregiver relationships can shape our subconscious beliefs about ourselves and get in the way of living life with intention and purpose. I work to empower individuals to find meaning and reconnect to their authentic selves as means to experience great transformation.

I received my B.A. in Collaborative Health and Human Services working with youth struggling with substance abuse and maintaining recovery. I am passionate about supporting our most vulnerable youth in recognizing their inherent good. I received my Master's in Social Work in order to support communities, families, and individuals in a holistic way to support the healing of communities.

You can request an appointment with me on the Request an Appointment form below.

 

Request an Appointment

To Request an Appointment at Shine a Light or NPCC, please fill out this form. Please note *We respond to inquiries Monday through Friday 8AM to 8PM. All inquiries we receive on the weekends or holidays will be processed the next business day. Thank you for your patience.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Date of Birth (of the intended client)
Use the drop down menu to select your nearest location.
Of whoever is paying for therapy
Use the drop-down menu to select your insurance coverage.
Use the drop-down menu to select the type of counseling you want.
Use the drop-down menu to indicate if you have seen a therapist with us previously.
Issues You Want Help With:
MORNINGS you are Available:
EARLY AFTERNOONS you are Available:
LATE AFTERNOONS you are Available:
EVENINGS you are Available:
Contact Preferences:
This helps us track your inquiry and respond to you quickly.

Agency Inquiries

This form is for agency information. If you want information about counseling for yourself or your family, use the other form. Thank you.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
This form is for agency information. If you want information about counseling for yourself or your family, use the other form. Thank you.

New Office in San Francisco!

Shine a Light Counseling Center is please to merge with New Perspectives Center for Counseling. NPCC has been serving the San Francisco community for thirty years. Now NPCC is transitioning to become the San Francisco site for Shine a Light. NPCC will retain its name, character and history. For information about NPCC or counseling in San Francisco:

 

New Perspectives Center for Counseling

Emergency Contact

Shine a Light does not provide crisis services. If you have a mental health emergency, call 988 or 911. Or  click here  for more Crisis Resources

Telephone Contact

You can call Shine a Light at 831-996-1222, but we encourage you to use the email forms to the left. If you call, please leave the following:

  • Phone number
  • Preferred location
  • Best times to meet
  • Issue you want help with
  • What insurance you have (if any)

FAX us at: 831-417-0443

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Your fee will be set according to a sliding scale, in collaboration with your therapist, prior to your first counseling session. Total costs depend upon the number of sessions you choose to utilize.

If you have private health insurance, please be aware that your costs for therapy may be less by using an in-network provider for your insurance company. This will depend upon your plan's deductible amounts and co-payments. In some cases, counseling at Shine a Light is less costly than using private insurance.

If you hope to use "out of network" benefits through your private insurance, please be aware that many plans will not reimburse for services provided by pre-licensed therapists (most of our staff).

Click here to download a flyer for

Shine a Light Counseling Center

facebook icon  Find us on Facebook