Imposter syndrome & work anxiety
- You rehearse before meetings and replay them afterward
- Praise feels like a mistake someone will notice
- Every success raises the bar instead of easing the fear
Online therapy across California
Capable on the outside. Exhausted on the inside.
Therapy for high achievers and people running on empty. Video sessions from wherever you are in California, in-network with most major plans, and a free 15-minute call to see if we are a fit.
Melissa Baker Jones, PsyD, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist · California BBS License 51801
- Licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 20 years experience
- In-network with Aetna, Cigna, Optum, United, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Lyra and Modern Health
- $140 private pay per 50-minute session, HSA and FSA accepted
- Secure video from anywhere in California, on any device
Holding it together on the outside?
Most of the people I work with are very good at looking like they have it all together. Inside, it can feel like everything is about to fall apart. These are some of the areas I work with in therapy. Even if your specific circumstances are not listed here, let’s have a conversation about it so you can start feeling like yourself again.
Burnout & work stress
- Sunday-night dread, Monday autopilot
- Short with the people you love most
- Rest does not restore you anymore
Anxiety & depression
- Racing thoughts, tight chest, broken sleep
- Flat, tired, pulling away from people
- You have been managing alone for too long
How I work
At the heart of most struggles is a person who wants to be heard and understood. My work is collaborative and direct. I will ask questions, share with you what I notice, and we will work through things together. Sessions often bring new ideas and new ways of thinking about what you are dealing with.
My approach is integrative, which means I do not force everyone through the same program. Sessions are tailored to your needs and may employ the use of cognitive and mindfulness skills, setting boundaries, improving communication, and slowing things down so you can build them back up, one small step at a time.
Sessions are warm, sometimes funny, and never a lecture. You do not have to perform here, which is rather the point.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Catching the thought patterns that drive anxiety and self-doubt, and testing them against reality.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Settling the body and the mind so you can respond to pressure instead of react to it.
Solution-focused therapy
Building on what already works and setting goals you can actually feel progress toward.
Humanistic, person-centered care
You are the expert on your own life. My job is to help you trust that again.
Rates & Insurance
Private pay session fee
$140
per 50-minute session
HSA and FSA accepted. Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement.
In-network insurance
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield of California
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Carelon Behavioral Health
- Cigna
- Lyra Health
- Magellan
- Modern Health
- Optum
- Oxford
- Providence Health Plan
- United Healthcare
- Out-of-network (OON) benefits
About Melissa
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with 20 years of experience providing therapy to individuals, couples and families in California. My practice is fully online, which lets me see clients from San Diego to Sacramento without anyone fighting traffic.
I completed my MA and PsyD at Alliant International University, where I took a particular interest in how family relationships are affected by social media. I have worked in the field since 2006. For ten years I was a therapist at a foster family agency, working with foster children and their families, and I also spent time in group care with adolescents. From there I moved to a practice focused on adults coping with work stress and the challenges that come with it, which is the work I continue today.
I share my home office with two cats, Gidget and Gatsby, who sometimes make an appearance on video.
It takes courage to want a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first step toward it. If you are ready to take that step, I will walk with you, support you, and help you trust yourself again.
Let’s connect! Book your free 15-minute call
Melissa Baker Jones, PsyD, LMFT
Telehealth only — serving all of California
Call, text, or email if you would rather skip the form.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. This practice cannot provide emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask before they reach out. Anything else, ask on the call.
How do I get started?
Request a free 15-minute call with the form above, call or text (949) 203-5655, or email . We’ll discuss your needs and whether my practice will be a good fit.
Is everything online?
Yes. Sessions are held by secure, HIPAA-compliant video through SimplePractice. You can join from a computer, phone or tablet. You need to be physically located in California during our sessions, which is a requirement of my license, but you can be anywhere in the state.
What happens in the first session?
We spend 50 minutes on your story: what is happening now, what you have already tried, and what you want to be different. I ask questions, you ask questions, and by the end we have a shared picture of what we are working on and how. You do not need to know where to start.
How long are sessions and how often do we meet?
Sessions are 50 minutes. Most people start weekly, because that is when change happens fastest, and then move to every other week as things settle. We decide together and adjust as we go.
Who do you work with?
Adults anywhere in California. Many of my clients are professionals dealing with imposter syndrome and work anxiety, burnout, or anxiety and depression.
What is your approach?
Integrative and practical. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, solution-focused and humanistic approaches, and tailor the mix to you. You will be heard and understood, and you will leave sessions with something you can use that week.
I am functioning fine. Do I still qualify for therapy?
You do not need to be in crisis to need support. Many people I see might look “fine” from the outside, but are quietly exhausted, anxious, or stuck. Early intervention will help you move through challenges more easily.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. What you share stays between us, with the exceptions California law requires, such as a serious risk to your safety or someone else's. We go over the specifics in writing before we start.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. Only medical providers such as a physician or psychiatrist can prescribe medication. If medication might be helpful, I can support you in finding a provider, and I will continue to support you while you are taking it.
What if we are not a good fit?
Fit matters more than anything else in therapy, and it is okay if we are not the right match. If either of us feels that way, we can talk about it openly, and I am happy to help you find a therapist who is a better fit. The free call is a chance for both of us to get a sense of that before we begin.
What if I am in crisis right now?
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. This practice cannot provide emergency services.