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Meet Melissa

Melissa Mose is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Los Angeles since 1995. She has specialized in the treatment of OCD and anxiety since 2011 and currently trains and supervises associates in her group practice.

Melissa is also an Internal Family Systems therapist. She is Level 3 trained and Certified and an IFSI-approved clinical consultant. She has served on staff as a PA for multiple Level 1 and Level 2 experiential IFS trainings through the IFS Institute.

Melissa’s experience as the parent of a child with OCD led her to specialize in the treatment of individuals with anxiety and OCD as well as their families. She is a graduate of the IOCDF’s general, pediatric and advanced Behavior Therapy Training Institutes (BTTI) as well as the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program and Cognitive-behavioral Intervention for Tics training (CBIT).

Her fifteen years of experience prior to that specialization provided a broad foundation of skills and approaches that infuse her integrative approach. With a background in family systems and mindfulness practices, she became driven to find more compassionate and accessible treatment for OCD. Melissa has developed an integrative approach that utilizes an IFS framework to provide evidence-based exposure therapy for OCD. Her staff of associates are all IFS Level 1 graduates and have received extensive training in the treatment of OCD through the IOCDF’s BTTI and other senior OCD clinicians in a live an ongoing training fomat.

Melissa is an international speaker and educator on obsessive compulsive disorder and its treatment, and she is currently the president of the board of directors of OCD Southern California, an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation. In her role on the board of OCD SoCal advocates for individuals with OCD, hosts speakers’ series, trainings, and one of largest virtual OCD conferences worldwide. It is her mission to raise awareness, improve early identification and greater treatment accessibility for individuals with OCD and their families.

 

Melissa is a professional member of the:

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT),
  • International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (IOCDF).
  • The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
  • The Tourette Association of America
  • Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)

Publications and Presentations

  • Parenting with the Teen Brain in Mind – developed in Collaboration with Tina Bryson
  • Prescriptions for Parenting – presented with pediatrician Dr. Buddy Zuckow

License and Education

Melissa Mose, LMFT (lic. #32575) is a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed by the State of California since 1995. Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Melissa has complete doctoral course work for her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, “all but dissertation,” at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara.

Clinical experience and Training

  • Professional Summary

    President, Board of Directors, OCD SoCal | 2021 – present

    Chair the Executive Board of the Southern California affiliate of the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Foundation (IOCDF), whose mission is to increase awareness and improve access to treatment of OCD and related disorders

    Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | 1995 – present

    Founder, owner, and clinical director of Mose Psychotherapy & Coaching, providing individual, couple, family, and group therapy with an Internal Family Systems (IFS) focus

    • Level 3 trained and Certified IFS therapist and
    • Approved IFS Consultant
    • BTTI trained in the treatment of OCD at the basic, advanced and pediatric levels
    • Specialize in treating OCD and anxiety (Currently more than 90% of my case load)
    • Supervise pre-licensed associate MFTs
    • Conduct coaching & workshops for parents, using IFS and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
    • Train in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)
    • Trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

    Program Assistant, IFS Institute | 2019 – present

    Have served as a Program Assistant (PA) for multiple level 1 and level 2 trainings

    Clinical Director, Mindfulness in Recovery Institute | 2018 – 2021

    Directed an online community with a mindfulness-based approach to addiction and recovery, providing support, meetings, & instruction in meditation

    Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, OCD Center of Los Angeles | 2012 – 2013

    Specialist in treating OC, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorders using a cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach to treatment

    Psychological Assistant, The Step Group | 2001 – 2005

    Performed full psychological and psycho-educational evaluations; wrote reports and gave feedback regarding test results

    Director of Guidance & Psychology Teacher, Chaminade College Prep HS | 1997 – 2003

    Supervised academic and college counselors; developed and administered all guidance department programs

    Education & Licensure

    • D. (ABD), Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2007
    • A., Pacifica Graduate Institute, 1991 LMFT License # MFC32575, 1995
    • A., Occidental College, 1991

    Certifications & Professional Development

    • IOCDF Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, Pediatric OCD, 2023
    • IFS Institute Approved Consultant 2022
    • IFS Level 3 Certified 2021
    • Growth Edge Coaching, 2020, 2021
    • SPACE Training, 2018 (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
    • IOCDF Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, Advanced Forum, 2016
    • Certified Trauma Specialist in TRM, 2015
    • CBT Intensive Training and Certification, 2013
    • IOCDF Behavioral Therapy Training Institute, basic 2011
    • Conflict Resolution and Communication s Certificate, Relational Life Institute, 2010
    • ACT training in anxiety, 2008, 2010
    • Certified Reliable as a Coder for the Adult Attachment Interview, 2009
    • Adult Attachment Interview: Basic and Intensive courses, 2007, 2008
    • Ongoing Biweekly Study Group with Dan Siegel, 2006-2010

    Presentations & Publications

    Conference presentations and media:

    • “Building a Compassionate OCD Community” Radio interview – Central Coast Voices, KCBX.org April 2024
    • “Supportive Parenting with OCD” – Workshop Presented at OCD SoCal’s Spring Speaker Series – April 2024
    • “Internal Family Systems Therapy with OCD: Transforming OCD with Compassion and Curiosity” – Workshop presented at the IFS Conference – Denver October 2023
    • “From Isolated to Empowered: The Realities of Emotional Contamination OCD“ – Presentation at the IOCDF Conference San Francisco, July 2023
    • “Welcome Address” – International OCD Foundations Virtual Conference 2023
    • “IFS for OCD: An Internal Family Systems Approach to OCD“ – Workshop presented at the International OCD Foundation Conference Virtual October, 2023
    • “Anti-procrastination Strategies for OCD, Anxiety and ADHD“ IOCDF Conference Virtual October, 2023
    • “What Drives Family Accommodation and What to do about it“ Work shop presented at the IOCDF Conference, San Francisco, July 2023
    • “Using Self-Compassion and IFS to Support ERP,” Workshop presented at

    the Online International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (IOCDF) Conference. November 6, 2022

    • “Encounter and Relate: Treating OCD in the Context of Internal Family Systems,”
      Presented at the 2022 Annual IFS Institute Conference (Virtual), Oct. 2022
    • “Walking the Tightrope: Parenting a Child with OCD,” Presented at the 27th Annual International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Conference, Denver, July 2022
    • “Supporting ERP with Self Compassion and IFS,” OCD Southern California’s 6th Annual OCD Conference (Virtual), April 2022
    • “OCD and Teens,” OCD Southern California’s 6th Annual OCD Conference (Virtual), April 2022
    • “Why do Families Accommodate OCD?” OCD Southern California’s 6th Annual OCD Conference (Virtual), April 2022
    • “Support for Families Living with PANS and PANDAS,” OCD Southern California’s 6th Annual OCD Conference (Virtual), April 2022
    • “Encounter and Relate: Using IFS to Treat OCD” IFS Conference, Virtual, October 2022
    • “Walking the Tightrope: Parenting Kids with OCD,” IOCDF, Denver, Oct. 2021
    • OCD Awareness Week Panel Discussion, OCD Southern California, Panel Discussion (Virtual) Oct. 2021
    • “Families Unite: Behavioral Contracting and the SPACE Program,” OCD Southern California’s 5th Annual OCD Conference – Virtual, July 31, 2021
    • OCD Awareness Week Panel Discussion, OCD SoCal, Virtual, Oct. 2020
    • “Support for Parents of Kids with Anxiety, ” presented at the 26th Annual

    International Obsessive- Compulsive Foundation Conference. Austin, TX. July 20, 2019.

    • “Support for Parents of Kids with Anxiety, presented at the 25th Annual OCD Conference, Washington, DC, July 27, 2018
    • “Where School Meets OCD,” presented at the 25th Annual OCD Conference, Washington, DC, July 27, 2018

     

    Developed and presented trainings, courses, and lectures (Inquire for a full list):

    • An IFS approach to OCD: The System within the System: 6 hour workshop through IFSCA, Virtual, March 10, 2023
    • “Encounter and Relate: Using IFS to Treat OCD” IFS Conference, Virtual, October 2022
    • “IFS Informed OCD & Anxiety Treatment,” Training for Counseling West, Virtual, Oct. 2021
    • “Family Accommodation in OCD, an IFS Approach,” LACPA CBT SIG, Virtual, June 2021
    • “Intro. to ERP for Non–CBT-Trained Therapists,” Teen Therapy Center, Virtual, Sept. 2020
    • “Foundations of Mindfulness,” 8-week course at Calabasas Pediatric Wellness Center, 2019
    • “Assessing and Treating OCD,” Cal State University Northridge Guest Lecture, Northridge, CA, Oct. 2016, 2017, and 2018
    • “Prescriptions for Parenting” with pediatrician Dr. Buddy Zukow, Calabasas, CA
    • “The Teen Brain Presentation for Schools” with Dr. Tina Bryson
    • “Parenting with the Teen Brain in Mind” with author Dr. Tina Bryson

     

    Podcasts. Media and Publications:

    • Central Coast Voices KCBX, April 2024 “Building a Compassionate OCD Community”
    • IFS Talks – December 2023 “IFS-informed OCD Treatment”
    • OCD Stories – October 2023 – Internal Family Systems Therapy and ERO for OCD
    • The One Inside – IFS and Help! My Child has OCD – April 2022
    • “Dying for Food: Three girls come to terms with their eating disorders,” by Melissa Mose, Jump: For Girls Who Dare to be Real. Jan/Feb 1998. “My So-Called Life: Confessions of a self-mutilator,” by Melissa Mose, Jump: For Girls Who Dare to be Real. Jan/Feb 1998.
    • “My So-Called Life: Confessions of a self-mutilator,” by Melissa Mose, Jump: For Girls Who Dare to be Real. Sept./Oct. 1997.

     

    Research Experience

    • Research for a Dissertation at Pacifica Graduate Institute: Attachment Security in a sample of Performing Artists
    • Research acknowledged in the following publications:

     

    “Dissociation and the Adult Attachment Interview in artists and performing artists,”

    by Paula Thomson & S. Victoria Jaquea, California State University, Northridge, CA, USA

    Published online: 05 Mar 2012.

    “Unresolved mourning, supernatural beliefs, and dissociation: a mediation analysis,”
    by Paula Thomson & S. Victoria Jaquea, California State University, Northridge, USA

    Published online: 10 Jun 2014.

    Thomson, P., & Jaquea, S. V. (2012, July 9). Holding a mirror up to nature: Psychological vulnerability in actors. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0028911

     

    • Consultant: UCLA study on ADHD and Mindfulness with Dr. Sue Smalley

    Affiliations & Memberships

    • President, Board of Directors of OCD SoCal (OCD SoCal)
    • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
    • Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
    • Los Angeles Country Psychological Association (LACPA)
    • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
    • Internal Family Systems Institute IFSI)
    • Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
    • Institute of Coaching
    • Polyvagal Institute

Meet Kacie

Kacie Emmett, M.A., AMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist registered to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences providing individual, couple, and family psychotherapy under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Mose.

She completed her undergraduate education in psychology at the University of Idaho before receiving a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with a specialization in Psychological Trauma Studies. Before joining Dr. Mose, she worked in community mental health at Counseling West in Sherman Oaks, receiving her training with a focus in psychodynamic theory.

Kacie has worked with a wide range of clients, helping with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, communication, life transitions, and addiction and recovery.

Working through a psychodynamic lens, she utilizes relational and attachment based interventions to heal inner wounds and help clients build and increase self-compassion. She implements a trauma informed perspective, ensuring safety within a non-judgmental space. She is comprehensive in her approach and incorporates IFS, CBT, and 12-step principles for truly holistic treatment.

Her approach is calm, curious, and exploratory. She believes in using humor whenever possible. Therapy shouldn’t be a drag. Kacie would be honored to join you in your journey to self-discovery and healing.

A young man with short, brown hair, wearing a sweater, standing in front of trees.

Meet Gabriel

Gabriel Konsker is an associate marriage and family therapist who works with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children. Gabriel has a warm relational style and specializes in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, which he uses to address a variety of difficulties including: relationship challenges, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, C-PTSD, Psychosis, ADHD, Borderline Personality (BPD), Bipolar Disorder, and Dissociative Disorders (DID). Gabriel has experience in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness meditation, and spiritual counseling.

He completed his graduate education at Antioch University, receiving a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Spiritual and Depth Psychology. Gabriel has three years of clinical experience working in the substance dependence industry and has worked two years in community mental health at Southern California Counseling Center.

Gabriel is Queer Allied, Racial Justice Allied, Sex Worker Allied, and neurodivergence-informed.

Meet Annabella

Annabella Zannini, M.A., AMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She provides individual, couple, and family psychotherapy under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Mose.

Annabella earned her bachelor’s degree in Contemplative Psychology, with a focus on Somatic Psychology and the Psychology of Health and Healing, from the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University. She also holds a 1,000-hour yoga training certificate and is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance.

She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University and integrates her background in both Eastern and Western psychological practices to offer a mindful, compassionate, and client-centered approach to therapy.

A dedicated advocate for effective OCD treatment, Annabella specializes in the care and management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. She integrates an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed perspective into her work and emphasizes the importance of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy as a cornerstone of successful OCD treatment. Annabella received specialized training in ERP and OCD using an IFS-informed approach under the guidance of Jeff Szymanski and Melissa Mose. She has also completed additional ERP training with Kimberly Quinlan.

Outside of her clinical work, Annabella enjoys surfing, yoga, meditation and hiking.