About Melanie Drane

Melanie Drane LMFT is a psychotherapist working with individuals and couples. She is deeply engaged in exploring the stressors that impact physician well-being. In addition to her private practice, Melanie serves as a wellness clinician providing support to medical residents and fellows at USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center. In 2017, she received a CAMFT research grant to study methods for hosting psychotherapy in the presence of aphasia (the loss of language function due to stroke or other neurological crisis). Her work also includes support for patients and caregivers navigating health events that challenge relationships and identity. 

Melanie graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University. She is an alumna of Interlochen Arts Academy, UC Berkeley, and The London School of Economics. Subsequently, she earned her MA in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Melanie's clinical training took place at the Southern California Counseling Center, and the Jung Institute of Los Angeles, where she earned her Certificate in Jungian Studies. 

Melanie takes a strong interest in multicultural conversations, having lived in Vienna, Bonn, London, and Tokyo for a total of 20 years. She is a faculty member at the Stanley King Institute and a consultant for The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). 

Outside her work as therapist, Melanie has been awarded the Rona Jaffe Writers Award; first prize in the (UK) Poetry Society National Poetry Competition; and a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship in Writing. She received her MFA at USM Stonecoast in Poetry. She is fluent in German, and speaks bumbling, enthusiastic French and Japanese. Melanie loves dogs and an assortment of shelter mutts share their home with her in Los Angeles.