Meet The Clinician: Dr. Melody Hannani, PSYD (She/her)
Dr. Melody Hannani approaches therapy with curiosity, warmth, and a deep belief that every story deserves to be heard. She is passionate about helping clients reconnect with the parts of themselves that may have been masked or buried, develop a deeper understanding of the origins of their suffering, and build on the inner resources they already possess.
Specializing in working with neurodivergent clients, Dr. Hannani provides a neurodivergent-affirming space where clients can explore their identities without judgment. She is especially attuned to the impact of masking, internalized ableism, burnout, and the weight of societal expectations and “shoulds.” Her goal is to help clients identify what no longer serves them and begin to live in clearer alignment with their values.
Dr. Hannani’s therapeutic style is collaborative, relational, and strengths-based. She views therapy as a space to give voice to what may have once been hidden, silenced, or ignored—supporting clients in building a sense of safety both within themselves and in their relationships. Therapy with Dr. Hannani is a space to feel truly seen and heard—often in ways that may not have felt possible before. It’s also a place to cultivate self-trust by tuning into your own inner signals, needs, and boundaries.
Therapeutic Approaches
Dr. Hannani draws on a number of evidence-based and integrative approaches tailored to meet each client’s individual needs:
Neurodiversity-Affirming
If you identify as neurodivergent—or are exploring that possibility—therapy can be a space to understand how your experiences have shaped you. Dr. Hannani supports clients in topics such as unmasking, burnout recovery, self-accommodation in work or school, and healing from internalized ableism. Together, you can explore your sensory profile, identify supports that align with your nervous system, and create rhythms and routines that honor your unique thresholds. Passionate interests and infodumping are always welcome in sessions.
Collaborative and Client-Centered
Dr. Hannani believes in setting goals together, with flexibility for those goals to evolve alongside you. Therapy can be as structured or open-ended as feels right, and regular check-ins help ensure that the work remains aligned with your changing needs.
Somatic Approaches & Brainspotting
When talk therapy isn’t enough, somatic and body-based techniques can help clients access and process emotional experiences that live beyond language. Dr. Hannani is trained in Brainspotting and incorporates body-awareness tools to support healing at a deeper level. These approaches help clients tune into the body’s signals, process trauma, and develop a more grounded sense of safety and connection within themselves.
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
ACT helps clients clarify their core values and build a life aligned with what truly matters to them. When external pressures blur the line between personal values and societal “shoulds,” ACT can offer a path back to authenticity. In therapy, you’ll explore what is genuinely important to you—and how to live in greater alignment with those values.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment theory provides a lens to understand how early relational experiences influence current patterns in connection, intimacy, and self-worth. Dr. Hannani works with clients to make meaning of these histories and begin healing the wounds that may be getting in the way of the relationships and life they desire.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma is not just about what happened to you—it’s about how your body and nervous system responded. Dr. Hannani offers a trauma-informed space where the effects of chronic stress, people-pleasing, autopilot living, or nervous system dysregulation are compassionately explored and addressed. Together, you will work at your pace, gently finding ways to process past experiences and cultivate a greater sense of internal safety.
Ready to begin your therapy journey with Dr. Hannani?
If you’re ready to explore therapy with a culturally sensitive, gender-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming psychologist in California, Dr. Hannani invites you to take the next step.
Dr. Hannani is available for new teen (16+) & adult therapy clients in California and offers a sliding scale.
👉 Click here for our therapy questionnaire to schedule a free consultation or book your first session.
Disclaimers:
Land Acknowledgment: We live and work on the unseated territories of the Wahpekute and Chumash peoples, we pay respects to their elders past and present. We encourage folks to explore the ancestral lands they live and work on, and to learn about the Native communities that live there, the treaties that have been broken. If folks feel called, we encourage them to consider taking actions to support Native communities, reparations, and land back movements (see other resources at the end for more info).
A note on language: The language in the DSM, including the use of the word disorder (D in acronym), some find this harmful, while others prefer the language “disorder.” When this language is used, it is because, as mental health professionals, we need to use this same language when referring to “diagnoses” in the DSM. In addition some Autistics find the use of the level system helpful in identifying the level of support needed, while others view it as an overly simplistic way of defining something that’s fluid, and may feel it’s harmful and minimizing. The beauty is that each individual gets to choose what language feels validating and affirming to them. Inspired by Dr. Jennifer Mullan, we use the term, “therapy participant” rather than “client” or “patient,” as we work toward decolonizing therapy.
Educational Purposes: The information presented here is for educational purposes, and not meant to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions or challenges, including neurodivergence (including mental health challenges), or physical health.
