Melissa Craven

Medical training can be deeply meaningful—and relentless. High expectations, long hours, constant evaluation, and responsibility for others can make it difficult to maintain perspective, extend yourself the same compassion you offer patients, or stay connected to the people and parts of life that matter to you.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with extensive experience integrating the arts into psychotherapy. Expressive arts practices offer a way to step outside habitual thinking, gain perspective, and reconnect with creativity, self-compassion, and balance. No artistic experience is needed. Together, we can address perfectionism and self-criticism, anxiety or low mood, relationship challenges, or simply the difficulty of feeling like yourself within a demanding environment.
I spent fourteen years at UCSF, where I integrated creative approaches into treatment for people experiencing moderate to severe mood symptoms. I also hold a credential in perinatal mental health. I offer online psychotherapy throughout California and walk-and-talk sessions in San Francisco parks. My goal is to help you find some space around what feels difficult, reconnect with what matters to you, and enjoy more of the life you’re working so hard to build.