About Me...
As a coach for those in ministry settings, I hold a wide range of ministry and leadership experience and have been deeply formed by the church throughout my life. I know the joys and deep valleys that accompany life in the church. It is my hope to be a support and helper to those in ministry settings, creating a safe space to both process and find ways to thrive. My experience as a therapist and listener to those connected in ministry has led me to coach and support those in ministry towards wellness, balance and flourishing in all areas of their lives. In addition to Imagine Coaching and Counseling, I currently serve at a Christian university as a coach for pastors.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have practiced at several Christian counseling centers throughout Southern California. Trained at Fuller Seminary School of Psychology and licensed in the states of California and Pennsylvania, my work experience includes individual therapy, premarital counseling, marriage therapy and group therapy. My specialties include marriage counseling, women's issues, phase of life issues, life transitions, anxiety and depression and working with those in ministry.
Additional trainings/certifications I hold include:
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship
Certified in PREPARE/ENRICH
Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
Certified Family Wellness Instructor
Imagine Coaching and Counseling offers 100% telehealth meetings for coaching and therapy. Both computer and phone options are available. Don’t let distance keep you from getting the help you need!
Coaching is available from any location globally.
Therapy is available from within California and Pennsylvania.
About Imagine...
The name "Imagine" was birthed from this verse:
"Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us." -Ephesians 3:20.
I believe that God has an imagination for our lives that we can choose to step into. Often, I find that God’s imagination is far greater than anything we could ever dream. It is on this journey of life with God that we get to see his imagination for us revealed as God transforms our lives into more than we could possibly dream. However, sometimes living into this lifelong process of transformation can be challenging, hard, messy and slow (but redemptive) work that at times can feel impossible, and it is here where we can get stuck and might need help from a trusted other.
Coaching and therapy can provide such a place in which to work on these areas we find difficult, challenging or in need of healing. It is when we can be truly seen by another in a place of safety that transformation takes place. With the invitation to be part of a client’s journey for a time, the hope is that getting to share in this sacred space creates an imagination for hope, healing and new life to grow.
Melissa Burns, M.S., LMFT
CA LMFT#50792
PA MF#000647