Melissa Beach, MFT, Bereavement Counselor

Melissa completed her B.A. in elementary education at the University of Michigan. After spending three years teaching third grade in an underserved community in Waianae, HI, she felt inspired to pursue a master’s in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Now, as a licensed therapist, she works primarily with children, teens, and young adults. Melissa was drawn to working at Hospice of Santa Barbara because she believes the topic of death and dying is very important to our human experience and the way we live. Her work allows her to share space with an individual in a way that is very intimate and moving. Personally, she honors the journey of grief as a sacred and transformational process that offers an opportunity to tap into inner peace, wisdom, and love. In her free time, she enjoys being outside and active, whether that is taking a bike ride, swimming, or jogging. And on a bright and warm Santa Barbara day, she is most likely found at the beach. Melissa has been with HSB since 2017.