About Us
About Us
ForU Therapy is a pioneering telehealth mental health service designed to meet the unique needs of professionals in the entertainment industry. With a team of experienced, licensed therapists, FORU Therapy provides support for artists, musicians, athletes, creators, managers, and more, committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering a culture of well-being within the industry. Founded by Melissa V. Rodriguez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist committed to fostering hope in every individual through a nurturing environment built on trust, genuineness, and empathy. We firmly believe that therapy is essential for all, irrespective of mental health status, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Recognized as the leading therapeutic resource for individuals in the entertainment industry, ForU focuses on a wide range of mental health issues. Our expertise includes trauma (such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse), PTSD, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, anger management, life skills, career transitions, self-care management, and more.
Our dedicated team at FORU upholds values of respect, trust, and authenticity, fostering genuine client-patient relationships rooted in care and understanding. With a non-judgmental approach to mental health, we strive to create a comfortable space where clients can freely express themselves, receiving compassion, understanding, and the necessary skills to thrive and progress in areas requiring support and guidance
“It’s important for my clients to know that there are good people in the world that truly and genuinely want to see them better themselves. It’s my job as a therapist to provide a safe place and the necessary skills to help them grow and flourish in areas that need support and guidance,” – Rodriguez says.
Mission
ForU Therapy’s mission is to enhance and advocate for the mental health of individuals within the entertainment industry. We are dedicated to providing all professionals—creators, artists, musicians, actors, publicists, agents, managers, and more— with access to essential support. Our goal is to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment while actively addressing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Founder
Melissa Valerie Rodriguez, LMFT
Melissa Valerie Rodriguez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 22 years of trauma-focused experience and more than a decade working in the entertainment industry. She founded ForU Therapy to enhance and advocate for the mental health of industry professionals, including creators, artists, musicians, actors, publicists, agents, and more. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and dual Master’s degrees—one in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College and another in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne. She has extensive experience supporting at-risk youth, families, and individuals from diverse backgrounds across Southern California, with roles in nonprofit organizations, probation schools, and correctional facilities refining her expertise and shaping her into the high-quality provider she is today.
Melissa built ForU Therapy on a foundation of empathy, trust, and authenticity. She works closely with patients facing trauma—including those affected by physical, sexual, or emotional abuse—to help them overcome PTSD, grief, anxiety, and depression. By using advanced therapeutic techniques like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Melissa supports clients in navigating their emotional struggles, building resilience, and achieving lasting healing. Her warm, non-judgmental presence creates a safe space where clients can embrace vulnerability and begin their journey of self-discovery.
With more than ten years as CEO and Senior Publicist of MVR Public Relations, Melissa has a deep understanding of the unique pressures that come with life in the spotlight. Her combined expertise in public relations and psychotherapy enables her to meet the specific needs of high-profile clients, helping them balance personal well-being with public personas. This insight into Hollywood culture also allows Melissa to connect with clients on a personal level, offering tailored therapeutic support for navigating high-pressure environments.
With ForU Therapy, Melissa’s goal is to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment while actively addressing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Small Talk can Change Everything
Specialized in Comprehensive Health Therapeutic Care for Everyone