Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Pinn.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When people ask how I got into this work, the answer is pretty straightforward: my own experience showed me there was a gap that needed to be filled.
Growing up, I was what you’d call an anxious kid. While I had a supportive environment, the tools offered for managing worry were pretty limited. The advice to “take a deep breath” or “drink some water,” while well-intentioned, didn’t quite match the complexity of what I was feeling. It left me with the sense that I just had to figure it out on my own.
It wasn’t until my early twenties that I had a shift in perspective. As I learned more about psychology, I began to understand anxiety as a pattern of responses that could be changed with the right skills. I realized that managing anxiety wasn’t about just trying to “be calm”—it was about actively learning how to respond to worry in a new way.
That realization created a clear mission for me when I decided to become a therapist and eventually open my own practice. I wanted to provide the practical, skill-based support I wish my family and I had access to all those years ago.
My work today is centered on a simple, two-part approach. First, I empower parents to understand the role anxiety plays in their family dynamic and give them concrete strategies to respond to their child’s fears with confidence instead of uncertainty. Second, I teach children and teens the skills they need to understand their own feelings and learn that they are capable of navigating anxious moments.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth” isn’t exactly the word I’d use, while the journey has been incredibly rewarding, it’s also been full of challenges that have pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.
The biggest challenge for me, and I think this is true for many therapists, has been learning to wear two very different hats: the therapist hat and the business owner hat.
My therapist hat is my comfort zone. It’s about being present, holding space, and using my clinical skills to support families. That part of the work feels natural and is the core of why I do what I do.
But the business owner’s hat? That required a whole different part of me. It meant I had to learn about marketing, navigating insurance, and networking. For anyone, that’s a steep learning curve. But when you’re a person who has dealt with anxiety, the idea of “putting yourself out there” can feel worrisome. My mind would come up with a dozen reasons not to publish a blog post or introduce myself at an event: “What will people think?” “Is this good enough?” “Who am I to be calling myself an anxiety specialist?” It’s that internal critic that anxiety loves to fuel, and it made the whole process feel really vulnerable.
I had to start using the same tools on myself that I teach my clients every day. I had to notice those anxious thoughts, acknowledge them without letting them drive the car, and take action anyway.
So, while the road wasn’t always smooth, learning to navigate those challenges—especially the ones that pushed up against my own anxiety—has been a profound part of the journey. It’s a constant practice, and honestly, I believe it has made me a more empathetic and effective therapist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My practice is a support system for families who are navigating the often-overwhelming world of anxiety and OCD and Big feelings. I work with both parents and their children or teens, with the ultimate goal of helping the whole family break the cycle of anxiety and find a calmer, more connected way of being together.
What I specialize in—and what I believe really sets my practice apart—is a dual approach. So often, therapy focuses only on the child, leaving parents in the waiting room feeling helpless. I see things differently. I believe the most powerful change happens when you empower parents with the same tools you’re giving their children. So, I work with parents to help them become their child’s confident, steady guide through anxiety, while at the same time, I work with kids to give them the actual, practical skills to understand and manage their big feelings. It’s not just about talking; it’s about building a new family toolkit, together.
What I’m most proud of is the feeling of hope and capability I aim to create. The conversation around mental health can feel so clinical. Finding the right support for anxiety should feel like a relief—not another source of stress. That’s why my entire approach is designed to feel clear and empowering. We’ll focus less on scary diagnoses and more on the practical, everyday tools that will help your family build resilience and remind you that things absolutely can and do get better
What I really want your readers to know is that you don’t have to keep guessing or trying to manage this alone. If you’re looking for support I offer in person therapy for families in San Diego and virtually throughout California. Whether you’re a parent struggling to know how to help your anxious child, or you’re looking for support for your child directly, my practice is a space to learn, grow and build a more capable and confident life.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to boil it down to one thing, it would be my ability to be a real human in the room with my clients.
I’m not just a therapist who has read the textbooks. I’m also a sometimes-anxious parent of sometimes-anxious children. My lived experience isn’t something I hide; I see it as my superpower.
When a parent is describing that middle-of-the-night worry spiral or the frustration of a morning meltdown, I can genuinely say, “I get it.” I understand that messy, imperfect reality of family life because I’m in it, too. This allows me to connect with families on a human level, breaking down the formal barrier that can sometimes exist in therapy. It helps parents and kids feel understood rather than judged, which is where all the best work begins.
A very close second to that is playfulness. Anxiety is so serious and heavy; it loves to steal joy and make everything feel urgent and scary. I truly believe you have to fight back with a bit of lightness and creativity, especially when working with kids.
In my sessions, we might give the “worry” a silly name and a goofy voice, or turn facing a fear into a mission. It’s about disarming the anxiety and making the hard work of therapy feel a little less like work and a lot more like an adventure.
Ultimately, I think that combination is key. Families know I can sit with them in their toughest moments because I understand them, but they also know we’re going to find ways to be creative and even have a little fun as we find a path forward.
Pricing:
- 50 minute therapy session $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melissapinntherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissatalksanxiety/
Image Credits
Danielly Prestes
