Melissa J. Johnson, PhD

Growth, resilience, and healing are fostered in many ways. Dr. Johnson is known for her collaborative style in determining the best support for you or your child. Having practiced and taught psychotherapeutic approaches for over 35 years, Dr. Johnson draws on many resiliency interventions and modalities. Her integrative approach seeks to honor each person’s unique journey, identity, cultural stories, and relationships.

Dr. Johnson’s clinical style is influenced by known-to-work approaches, including mindfulness-based and self-compassion frameworks, cognitive behavioral interventions, imagination coaching, and clinical hypnosis for children and adults – particularly to assist with pain, anxiety, and sleep. Dr. Johnson is the founder and former CEO of the Institute for Girls’ Development, which served Pasadena from 2004 to 2026. She is the author of the social emotional learning curriculum, Stand Up! Speak Out!® Empowering Skills for Girls’ Friendships. And she has served on the graduate program adjunct faculty at USC and the University of La Verne. Dr. Johnson is a sought-after presenter for parents and professionals and has been recognized for her contributions to psychology by regional and state psychological associations and by the state of California.

Areas of Expertise