Melody Anderson, LCSW
(CA#28609& NY-R-056419) *(310) 285-9410
macther1@yahoo.com * www.counselingbymelody.com
1998-2026—PRIVATE PRACTICE –LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK CITY & EUROPE
Provide therapy for individuals, couples & families with a focus on trauma, addiction & relational
conflicts, life stage transitions, grief work & spiritual growth. I currently work with clients
in my West Los Angeles office and on Zoom.
2017–2019-CLINICAL DIRECTOR-FRIENDLY HOUSE, LA, CA
Provided addiction, trauma and family treatment to female clients in early recovery,
Using such modalities as, CBT DBT, BrainSpotting, Somatic Skills and EMDR. Created a
weekly, 60- and 90-minute didactic group, focused on emotional sobriety. Supervised MFT
candidates and staff. Collaborated with senior staff to develop appropriate individual
treatment strategies for clients.
2015-2017–TREATMENT SPECIALIST-RESOLUTIONS TEEN PROGRAM, LA, CA
Treated teens, including non-binary, for addiction and mental illness, using EMDR and
Somatic Skills.
.
2008-2015–GROUP FACILITATOR, LA, CA
Facilitated impulse control, relapse and relationship groups at: Promises Out-Patient & Professional
Treatment Programs, Bridges To Recovery; and Malibu Beach Sober Living and supervised staff.
1999-2016–LEGAL CONSULTANT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS
Collaborated with New York & LA lawyers on treatment options for their substance-abusing clients.
2007–SOBER LIVING PROGRAM CONSULTANT, NEW YORK
Created & developed the Administrative Guide and Intake & Discharge Program Syllabus
for “Loft 107,” a sober house in Brooklyn.
1997-2002—HAZELDEN NEW YORK
Clinical Role: Creator, Coordinator & Facilitator of the “Family & Friends Program” &
“The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP),” uniting the modalities of didactic, psychoanalytic,
family systems theory, DBT & CBT with the 12-Step philosophy of AA & Al-Anon.
Programs:
1) Created & developed all content & Syllabus for the Family and IOP programs.
2) “The Discovery Group,” a 12-week, 90-minute step/week group.
3) On-going support group for graduates of the 12-week group.
4) Individual, couple & family one-on-one, 60-minute therapy sessions.
5) A revolving, free lecture series for substance abusers & their loved ones.
6) IOP 90-minute groups for 8 weeks and follow-up support groups. Awarded the
“Standards In Excellence” from Hazelden Administration in Minnesota.
Administrative Duties:
1) Created the client intake, treatment & discharge forms
2) Collaborated with Hazelden clinical staff on client cases.
3) Responsible for program & budget, staff hiring, firing, supervision & job reviews
4) Created Administrative Syllabus for the Family & IOP programs.
5) Marketed programs with media appearances & presentations to outside referrals
EDUCATION
2000-The Ackerman Institute for The Family Therapy: Externship Program
1997- New York University School of Social Work-Master’s Degree-Cum Laude
1975–Carleton University School of Journalism-Honors Bachelors Cum Laude
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
2020-2025-Certified Brainspotting Therapist-Levels 1-4
2017-Neuro-Affective Technique-Ailene LaPierre, PhD
2015-Community Resiliency Model-Certified
2020-2026-Certified Brainspotting Therapist – Levels 1-4
2017-Neuro-Affective Technique – Ailene LaPierre, PhD
2013-Trauma Resiliency Model-Level II Certified
2009- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-Certified Levels I & II
2001-The Step-Family Association Of America Certification
1997-99–The Cognitive-Behavioral Institute, New York City
LECTURES & ACADEMIC PRESENTATION
2022-NAMI-“New & Improved: Skills for Families Who Love the Co-Disordered”
2018-Milestones Ranch Malibu: “Invitation to Healing: The Community Resiliency Model”
2017-UCLA School of Psychiatry: “Connecting the 12-Steps With Psychodynamic Modalities”
2016-UCLA-Presented to Psychiatric Residents “Assessing for Mental Health D.O.s
In Families Affected by a Substance Abuser”
2015-WAAT: “12-Step Recovery For Couple-Ships”
2015-UCLA-Presented to 3rd-yr Medical Students “Family Symptoms Caused by Addiction
2014-National Association for the Mentally Ill: “The Double-Edged Sword: Loving The Dually-Diagnosed”
2014-NAMI- “Mindfulness Tools For Families Of Those With Co-Occurring Disorders
2012-2013–UCLA Extension Winter Session: “Individual Counseling Skills For Substance Abusers”
2012–NAMI- “The Double-Edged Sword: Loving & Living With the Dually-Diagnosed”
2011-2013–UCLA Extension All-Day “The Psychodynamic Modalities Within the 12 Steps of AA
1998-2002–Cornell University and NYU Medical School Residential Lectures: “Families & Addiction”
2001-05–Alcoholism Council Of New York– Medical Resident Training Program
2001–Hazelden New York, Manhattan–“12-Step Recovery and Family Systems”
1999–New York City Catholic Board Of Education–“Teacher Tools To Help Addicted Students”
1998—Presented at the International Convention on Chemical Addiction and Alcoholism in Malta
AFFILIATIONS-W.A.A.T. LA; NASW; National Council on Addiction & Alcoholism; The Friends of Semel Institute, UCLA; Board Member of the National Shingles Foundation