Mairin is a licensed clinical social worker with fifteen years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, parents, and families. Mairin graduated from Kenyon College with dual majors in Psychology and Spanish and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her MSW from Washington University in St. Louis where she completed a concentration in mental health and family therapy.

She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy and has completed advanced training with Dr. David Burns at the Feeling Good Institute and at the Beck Institute in Pennsylvania. She is certified in the treatment of OCD by the Behavior Therapy Therapy Training Institute. Mairin believes in the power of research-based interventions and tools in the context of a supportive, non-judgmental, and encouraging therapeutic relationship. Mairin pursues ongoing professional development but believes her greatest teachers are those she is privileged to know in and outside her practice.

A midwesterner at heart, she moved to the Bay Area fifteen years ago and happily lives in San Francisco where she enjoys reading, writing and finding new parks and hikes with her children.

Mairin is based in San Francisco, and sees clients from the Bay Area, as well as all over the state of CA (LCS 27700). She is also fully licensed to practice in Massachusetts (LICSW126067) and Oregon (L13553), and can see clients for online therapy in Florida (TPSW1198).

Melissa Liptak is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist practicing therapy in California (LMFT 147705) and, via telehealth, in Florida (TPIM27). Melissa specializes in working with children, adolescents and teens, helping them improve their mood, reduce stress and manage challenging emotions. She also enjoys working with parents, providing coaching and support to help strengthen family relationships.

Melissa’s approach is holistic, person-centered and interactive, and she takes time to tune in to the sensitivities as well as the strengths unique to every child. She draws on a number of research-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness, as well as play therapy. With warmth, compassion and a sense of humor, she aims to empower her clients by teaching them concrete skills to help them regulate their emotions, boost self-esteem and live happier, fuller lives.

Melissa has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings, including California Pacific Medical Center’s Child Development Center, where she was part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting children with developmental, behavioral and learning needs. She has been a school counselor for at-risk Gr. 4-8 students as well as a grief counselor at a hospice, where she provided therapy for bereaved children and families. She was also part of a group private practice specializing in children, parents and parents to-be. She has volunteered with numerous Bay Area organizations such as the Brady Therapeutic Riding Program, UCSF’s Family House, and the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco.

Melissa received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rutgers University and New York University. She has completed additional training in child anxiety, mindfulness, and perinatal mood disorders. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, teenage daughter and two dogs.