Who Am I?

I’m Melinda Ali, LCSW, therapist, coach, trainer, and founder of Rise & Thrive. With nearly two decades of experience in public service, teaching, and the healing arts, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people through some of life’s toughest and most transformative moments.

I started my career as an international teacher, working in Thailand, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Ecuador before planting roots in Nevada and California. Eventually, I found my calling in social work and mental health, where I could combine my love of people, culture, and growth with evidence-based practices that create real change.

Today, I specialize in helping people manage anxiety, OCD, grief, attachment struggles, and major life transitions. I also train and mentor other therapists through my Therapist Toolbox program, equipping them with practical interventions that go beyond theory.

Here is the truth: I don’t just write or teach about growth, I live it. I’m a mom, a partner, and someone who has walked through my own seasons of loss and rebuilding. I know what it means to navigate uncertainty, and I bring that humanity into everything I do.

This blog is where I share stories, reflections, and tools, for therapists, for anyone seeking healing, and for those who simply want to live with more clarity, compassion, and courage.