google980e8e4c839f7ed7.html

       Dr. Melissa Soo Hoo & Sequoia Counseling

Tired of struggling and feeling unhappy? 

Do your symptoms keep you from fulfilling
personal goals and responsibilities?
I help those with medical conditions (primarily pain or GI symptoms) using psychological assessment and non-drug interventions as part of a team-based treatment approach. My goal is to bring about growth, healing, and learning so that you feel better, improve daily functioning, and have purpose and pleasure again. Borrowing from the biopsychosocial approach to treatment, I look at the interaction between mind (stress, worry, depressed/irritable mood), body (health and wellness), and environment (family relationships, work relationships, etc.) and work with you to target these areas in treatment. 
          - Do you often feel anxious or down about spending time with others and [possibly] not
            feeling well? Have you felt embarrassed, guilty, or uncertain about making your needs
            known?    
          - Have you been frustrated & disappointed by some of the medical care you've received
            and felt unsupported and confused? 
          - Have you felt stuck, hurt, burned-out, fearful, alone, and upset with yourself as you
            care for your health?
I offer compassionate,
​evidence-based therapy tailored to your needs. 
  • Graduated clinical psychology doctoral program (PsyD) at Azusa Pacific University (APA-accredited program) in 2004. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focused.
  • Pre-doctoral residency at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas (completed 2004).
  • Postdoctoral fellowship at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles (completed 2005). I received advanced training in the areas of chronic pain and diabetes management. 
  • My past work experiences include community based primary care clinics, Federally Qualified Health Center, Skilled Nursing Facilities/Assisted Living Facilities, GI medical group practice, and private group practice.
  • Established Sequoia Counseling and Wellness Services Orange County in 2019. 
  • Gut-brain specialist with a gastroenterology medical group practice (2023-2025). I attend monthly GI Psychology Case Consultations sponsored by the Rome Foundation. 
  • Completed training in clinical hypnotherapy under Dr. Yapko, an internationally recognized clinician/hypnotherapist and subject matter expert (2025). I participate in weekly hypnotherapy group education and training under Dr. Denis Mirlesse.
  • ​I am a member of the Rome Psychogastroenterology Group, California Psychological Association, and Orange County Psychological Association. 
This video talks about the origin of
​Sequoia Counseling and Wellness Services
Get back to living: Schedule your free consultation call today.