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About us
Marriage and Family Therapy with Grace was founded by Altagracia Akopyan also known as Grace. Therapy with Grace understand that it can became difficult to find a therapist that is both experienced enough to see clients requiring different needs while still having the availability to meet clients sooner than later in person and online. In effort to change the standard in the mental health field, Therapy with Grace was created. At Therapy with Grace, clients can book same week appointments, find a therapist that you feel comfortable with and have access to psychotherapist that stays up to date with therapy techniques in order to ensure that clients receive the most effective and up-to-date support for their individualized needs.
Altagracia " Grace" Akopyan
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Grace believes that her constant passion for learning, teaching, and extensive experience in the mental health field allows clients to experience a new type of therapist. Grace is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Pepperdine University Family and Couples Counseling Therapy professor that holds over a 10yrs of experience and founder of Therapy with Grace.
She specializes in couples and relationship counseling. She creates a personalized approach for each of her client with statistically proven tools to help build longevity , rebuild trust , commitment and create fulfillment in her clients relationships.
Simultaneously, she works with clients who suffer with anxiety and/or depression due to low self esteem, relationship heartbreak, transitional live events and lack of emotional regulation. She helps clients gain insight on their emotions, understand triggers and helps them regulate their emotions in order to take back control of their life. She helps her clients lean toward their faith and teaches them tools to help build a more fulfilling life.
At Therapy with Grace, we are blessed to have two Associate Marriage and Family Therapists who share a strong faith in the Lord and are committed to growing under Grace’s guidance and mentorship. When appropriate, Grace may refer children, teens, adolescents, and young adults to work with these trusted associates.
Each therapist thoughtfully integrates both faith-based principles and evidence-based psychological practices. This balanced approach has been shown to effectively reduce emotional and behavioral symptoms, helping our clients experience greater peace, clarity, and healing on their journey with God.
Melinda " Mel" Melendez
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Melinda "Mel" Melendez, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), has three years of experience in the mental health field and provides compassionate, personalized therapy for children, teens, adults, and families in a safe, supportive, and faith-centered environment. She helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, relationship concerns, self-esteem, and family conflict.
As a child therapist, teen therapist, family therapist, and adult therapist, Mel works collaboratively with clients to build healthy coping skills, strengthen emotional resilience, improve communication, and foster lasting personal growth. She partners with parents to support their children's emotional and behavioral development while helping adults navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity.
For clients who desire it, Mel offers Christian counseling, thoughtfully integrating faith with evidence-based therapy to support healing, hope, and restoration while respecting each individual's values and beliefs.
With warmth, cultural humility, and a client-centered approach, Mel is committed to helping children, teens, adults, and families experience meaningful healing and emotional wellness through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Shanna Benji
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Shanna, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), provides thoughtful and individualized therapy to children, adults, couples, and families in a safe, supportive, and faith-centered environment. She helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, behavioral concerns, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and family conflict through a warm and client-centered approach.
Specializing in child therapy, adult therapy, and couples counseling, Shanna works collaboratively with clients to develop healthy coping skills, improve communication, strengthen relationships, and build emotional resilience. As a married therapist, Shanna brings both professional training and personal insight into the importance of connection, communication, and commitment within relationships. Her own experience with marriage deepens her empathy as she supports couples in navigating challenges, improving understanding, and creating stronger partnerships.
For clients who desire it, Shanna offers Christian counseling, thoughtfully integrating faith with evidence-based therapy while honoring each individual's values and beliefs. With warmth, cultural humility, and a dedication to helping others, Shanna is committed to supporting children, adults, couples, and families as they pursue healing, growth, and lasting emotional wellness.