Transforming Trauma into Personal Growth:

Your Journey to Healing Starts Here.

Are you feeling exhausted before your day even begins? Maybe getting out of bed feels like a struggle. You’ve tried talk therapy, mindfulness, maybe even medications—but still feel stuck. What you’re experiencing may actually stem from unresolved trauma—and that means you need deeper healing, not just surface-level tools.

The Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR) Method is a groundbreaking approach designed to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences in a compassionate and structured way. At A New View of You in San Diego, California, I use ITR® therapy to provide rapid relief for individuals coping with trauma and its lasting effects. ITR® therapy at my practice addresses both mind and body, allowing clients to resolve their trauma safely and with minimal risk of retraumatization. Read on to learn more.

  • If you’re struggling with substance abuse, you may feel trapped in a cycle of escape—trying to numb emotional pain or silence memories that just won’t fade. The cravings, the shame, the starts and stops—these aren’t signs of weakness; they’re signs that something deeper is asking to be seen and healed. I use the Instinctual Trauma Response® method to help you address substance use not as the problem itself, but as a symptom of unresolved trauma. We go beneath the surface to find the root causes—whether they’re past experiences, emotional wounds, or stored survival responses—and bring relief, resolution, and a sense of control that doesn’t require self-medicating.
  • If you’re dealing with depression, it might feel like the light in you has gone dim. You may find yourself withdrawing, losing interest in things you used to love, or constantly feeling like something is wrong with you. But what if these feelings are signals from your nervous system that there’s unprocessed pain from your past still living in your body and mind? ITR® therapy helps bring clarity and release by revisiting and resolving the traumatic moments that often lie beneath depressive symptoms. This process allows you to reconnect with a sense of worth, energy, and purpose—without having to relive the trauma all over again.
  • Anxiety can feel like you’re always on edge, constantly anticipating danger or failure, even when things seem “fine.” Your mind races, your body stays tense, and it feels impossible to relax. Often, anxiety is a response to past traumatic experiences that left your nervous system stuck in a state of hyper-alertness. Through ITR®, we work together to resolve those old fear responses and help your brain recognize that the threat is over. You’ll begin to feel safer in your own skin, more grounded in the present, and more confident facing everyday life.
  • Intrusive thoughts can be terrifying, especially when they come out of nowhere and feel disconnected from who you are. You might feel ashamed or afraid to share them, fearing what they might mean. But these thoughts are often trauma’s way of expressing what hasn’t yet been processed or given a voice. ITR® therapy helps externalize and organize these internal experiences so they can be safely resolved—not feared or suppressed. The result? Relief, clarity, and freedom from the grip of recurring thoughts that don’t reflect your true self.

All of this work is done securely and confidentially via telehealth. Whether you’re in California, across the country, or even on the other side of the world, you can access this transformative approach to trauma healing from the comfort of your own space. I work with individuals throughout the U.S. and internationally, helping them find peace, resolution, and a new view of themselves—wherever they are.

You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. I invite you to schedule a free consultation call to learn more about how I can help you finally release trauma—fully, safely, and for good. 

Welcome. I'm Melisa, and I'm glad you're here.

My name is Melisa Baker, and I live in San Diego, CA. I specialize in trauma work and understand how substance use, anxiety, depression and intrusive thoughts fit in as normal responses to the effects of trauma. When you work with me you will learn how each of these are stress responses to trauma as they are attempts to regulate your brain and body when feeling triggered and reactive. Substances can temporarily mimic regulation by shifting the nervous system out of distressing states. Self-medicating helps to dull anxiety and intrusive memories; it can give energy when feeling numbed up or shut down providing a sense of safety when the body and mind are telling you you're unsafe. Rather than feel shame and guilt about using substances instead view it as an attempt to self-repair and bring the body back to feeling normal again. Think of it as a part of you that is protecting you from re-experiencing negative memories and events, memories you consciously remember and those that are deep down and unconscious to you that often cause flashbacks. Working with me you can end the need for drugs and alcohol, fighting with others or shutting down to avoid life because you will get to the root of your trauma and end the intrusive thoughts and overwhelming debilitating feelings. The work we do together will help you gain valuable insight into conscious and unconscious trauma experiences that are trapped within you.

In my career I've been an art therapist for 25+ years, I hold an MA in Art Therapy from the AATA accredited program at Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, OR. I have been an Instinctual Trauma Response® Specialist for 5+ years; I received my certification from the ITR Training Institute founded by Dr's Louis Tinnin and Linda Gantt in 2019. Additionally, I'm also an instructor with the ITR® Training Institute and co-creator of the ITR Trauma Informed Coaching Course. 

In addition to professional credentials, I also have personal experience with intergenerational trauma that, as far as I can tell goes back to at least my great grandparents on both sides of my family and was passed down to my grandparents then my parents and onto me, my sister and my cousin. At 15 years old I vowed to myself to never let drinking, verbal, emotional and mental abuse drive my life. Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy.  Even with an undergrad in Psychology, a master's in art therapy and seeing therapists myself in my early 20's I still experienced the overwhelming effects of trauma in anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and isolation. But because I had a solid beginning in psychology, I knew better and kept going until I found a modality that really changed my life and I'm here to share it with you to change your life. 

My experience includes working with civilians and veterans in person and via telehealth, both privately and in a local San Diego mental health facility; and I served client locally, nationally and internationally. What I love most about my job is helping people realize they are their very own best healer, where they become empowered and reconnect to themselves and begin to live their best lives.

I offer telehealth services only. Why telehealth? Telehealth therapy at A New View of You offers a way forward that meets you where you are, removing barriers of time and distance so you can finally give yourself the care you deserve. With a consistent space for support and growth, you’ll experience a profound transformation, equipping you to move through life with joy and a renewed sense of self-worth. 

  • Convenient sessions you can attend from anywhere, fitting therapy into even the busiest schedule.
  • No need to travel; join your session from home, the office, or wherever you’re comfortable.
  • Strict privacy standards, with secure, encrypted platforms to keep your conversations confidential.
  • A certified ITR Specialist aimed at providing a warm, engaging environment online, helping you feel connected and supported.
  • Flexibility that helps you stay consistent with therapy, making it easier to prioritize your mental health and recovery.
  • Complete your therapy in a matter of hours not weeks, months or years.

Schedule a free 20–30-minute consultation today at info@anewviewofyou.com to learn how we can work together to resolve trauma stressors that lead to substance use. Don't wait any longer, you’re future waiting for you. 

The truth is, trauma doesn’t go away with time, it needs to be released. If it's not released it can build up and interfere with life as you grow. That’s where the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR®) Method comes in. This proven, structured approach helps you safely access and resolve the negative beliefs you've developed that are the true root of your pain, so you'll no longer have to just manage symptoms with meds, substances, self-harm, overeating, excessive sleeping, scrolling, etc. You will end them once and for all. I’ll guide you step by step through this process, and help you find true relief and lasting healing.

Want to understand how trauma can look like mental illness? Click here to learn more.


The good news? Trauma is treatable and with ITR® you can finally feel like yourself again.



ITR ® uses two radically effective tools:

Graphic Narrative®: You’ll create a simple, third person drawing of your trauma experience with a beginning, middle, and end so your brain can store the memory as “over,” thus releasing emotional triggers.

Externalized Dialogue®: Next, we'll help your True Self connect with parts of you that are stuck in past traumatic events/memories. This tool will foster compassionate internal conversations between your True Self and the stuck Part to change how you think, feel, and act to triggers and ultimately release outdated coping responses.

Letting go of trauma and the stressors related to it using a compassionate, proven process rooted in neuroscience and art-informed techniques will provide you with:

-Immediate relief from anxiety, flashbacks, tension and overwhelm.

-Deeper access to your strengths, resilience, and true self.

-Lifelong tools to improve clarity of mind, motivation and purpose, and healthy relationships.

It may have felt like your attempts at therapy have been useless. But I'm here to tell you it’s that the real healing hasn’t even begun. Now that you're here, and you see there's another way, I'm offering you a powerful step forward towards healing.

You deserve to feel empowered, at peace and enjoying your life again. Let me help you.

My Mission

My mission is to provide you with a safe, compassionate space where you can have a transformative experience. Together, we’ll focus helping you to break free from the emotional weight of your past and empower you to reclaim your life with renewed clarity and purpose.

Using evidence-based therapeutic techniques, I am here to guide and support you every step of the way—always with a nonjudgmental approach. Along this journey, you’ll learn not only to navigate your challenges but also to cultivate compassion and resilience within yourself.

By the end of our work together, you’ll leave with A New View of You—a perspective that is lighter, more hopeful, and grounded in self-discovery. Equipped with practical tools and a deeper understanding of yourself, you’ll feel prepared to continue growing, recovering, and thriving in all aspects of your life.

My Method

If you’ve tried talk therapy, medications, or other holistic approaches and still feel like there’s something missing—like there’s another way to truly heal from your childhood traumas—the Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR) might be what you’ve been searching for. ITR® is a revolutionary approach to trauma recovery, combining cutting-edge neuroscience with the wisdom of parts psychology, art, narrative techniques, and somatic therapies. Designed to help you deeply process and heal even the earliest traumas—including those from prenatal experiences—ITR® empowers you to break free from the past, and offers a powerful path to the complete, lasting healing you deserve. Click here to learn more about the ITR Process.

 


My Values

At the heart of my therapeutic practice lies a commitment to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you are free to be yourself. I believe in the power of teaching over therapizing—guiding you to explore and understand your feelings, thoughts, and experiences without imposing labels or judgments.

My approach is centered on providing the space you need to express yourself fully and authentically. Together, we’ll create an environment where your voice is heard, your experiences are validated, and self-discovery becomes an empowering journey. My goal is to support you in building awareness and understanding, helping you connect with your inner strengths and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Your growth is my priority, and I am honored to walk alongside you on this path of self-exploration and healing.

Thank you for this opportunity.

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, until you realize that the situation is overyou cannot move forward.”– Unknown

Powerful and permanent healing. Step into a life filled with strength, peace and purpose.

Getting to the root

Trauma often hides deep in your mind and body. ITR® helps you gently uncover and resolve it—so you can stop reliving the past and start living your future.


Let go of Emotional Baggage

Using tools like the Graphic Narrative®, you’ll release stored emotions—fear, anger, sadness—once and for all. No more carrying that weight with you.

Reframe Negative Beliefs

ITR®’s Externalized Dialogue® technique helps you rewrite the critical inner narratives—transforming victim-fueled thinking into self-trust, confidence, and optimism.

Building Self-Worth and Confidence

As you confront and heal, you’ll rebuild your self-esteem on your own terms—aligning with your values and aspirations.

Grow with Intention

You’ll gain greater self-awareness—so you can make intentional, empowered choices that steer your life forward.


Nurture Healthier Relationships

Understanding yourself means better connection with others. ITR® helps you respond from a place of clarity, rather than reactivity.



Bounce Back Stronger

By learning what triggers you—and how to manage it—you build resilience and adaptability for life’s ups and downs.

Break Old Patterns

You’ll end harmful coping skills and destructive patterns of behavior, by stopping old emotional looping.

Set Healthy Boundaries

ITR® teaches you clear ways to protect your mental and emotional well‑being—so you can feel safe saying “no” when needed.

Reduce Reactivity

Over time, you’ll find yourself responding less to triggers and more from a place of calm strength.

Improve Physical Health

Healing your trauma often eases chronic stress in the body—leading to better sleep, reduced tension, and overall wellness.

Convenient and Accessible

ITR® telehealth meets you where you are—no commute necessary, just consistent, accessible support.

Faster Results

This solution-focused method gets real results—often within days, weeks, or months, not years. You’ll leave therapy feeling empowered to keep growing.

Questions?

Here are some places to find answers.

What is The Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR)®?

What is The Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR)®?

The ITR® Method doesn't ask what's wrong with you—it asks what happened to you. When you can understand what happened to you and how that formed your beliefs, you'll get to the root of the trauma. 

Is therapy right for me?

Is therapy right for me?

One of the main purposes of therapy is to get to the root of underlying issues, helping you understand patterns and triggers that might be holding you back. By addressing the source rather than just the symptoms, therapy empowers you to build a foundation for lasting change. 

Do I have PTSD?

Do I have PTSD?

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. If you’ve been through something intensely distressing and find yourself struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional reactions that don’t seem to go away, you may be experiencing PTSD. 

How does telehealth therapy work?

How does telehealth therapy work?

Research has shown that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, with the added benefit of greater flexibility. Give it a try—you may find that therapy feels more accessible and effective than ever. 

Curious about Life Coaching?

Curious about Life Coaching?

Anxiety

Anxiety

When someone experiences an overwhelming or traumatic event, their brain and body can react instinctively to protect them from harm and often these responses don't just switch off once the event is over. Instead, the body and mind stay on high alert as if the danger could happen again at any moment. It’s an important survival response. If anxiety is interfering with your life, therapy for anxiety at A New View of You can help you find a better way to deal with it. 

Intensive therapy sounds scary!

Intensive therapy sounds scary!

It’s completely natural to feel scared about diving into a trauma intensive work. Other clients with similar worries find that instead, the goal isn't to push you back into the pain but to help you gently move through it, building resilience. With baby steps, and never alone, you'll be guided to release what’s been stuck to finally feel relief.

Troubled Teen Industry

Troubled Teen Industry

Your story matters, every part of it. Your voice, no matter how long it’s been silenced, deserves to be heard. And when you’re ready, I want you to know that A New View of You offers a safe and compassionate space, where together we will honor every bit of who you are. You deserve nothing less. 

Childhood Trauma

Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma from abuse can manifest in adulthood in complex ways, often deeply impacting relationships, confidence, motivation, and self-worth. With the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR®) method, we will gently unravel the hold these traumas have on your life, helping you to understand and release the painful thoughts, emotions, and sensations that have stayed with you for so long. 

What people have to say...

"I knew nothing about the modality, but I was determined to try it in earnest. I was desperate for healing and freedom of choice in my life. Because of Melisa's personality, caring and calm demeanor, I quickly understood her to be completely nonjudgemental and someone with whom I could open my deepest and most secret memories to. I allowed myself to be vulnerable in the safe space that she helped me to create. Because of this, I was able to face traumatic circumstances in my past that I had never, ever told another living soul about. I now have a choice to treat those challenges as opportunities and to live my life in a state of gratitude and joy."
TDH, Retired Marine Combat Veteran

"ITR is the best trauma process, it was a direct path to expressing deep, deep trauma. I don't have to carry it around like a backpack anymore."

Ash

"ITR is a miraculous technique. The simplicity of the process is genius, in that it presents the trauma back to the brain in the same matter the trauma was processed then adds a beginning, middle, and end to the story allowing for closure to the event. This therapy is a powerful tool to help the mind heal from trauma. For sixty years I lied to myself about the severity of my trauma and failed to recognize the impact it had on my life and the lives other people I love. Melisa instilled in me a sense of trust and confidence not only in her ability and in ITR, but in myself that I could move beyond this chapter in my life. I am eternally grateful to Melisa for helping me find closure."

Judy

"A switch flipped for me. I learned that what I acknowledge on the surface isn't what I really feel deep down."

Amber

"ITR was incredibly helpful for me, and I believe would be useful to anyone that has unresolved or unprocessed traumatic experiences.  Melisa was excellent in guiding me through issues I thought couldn't possibly resolve on my own.  My only advice would be trust the process and listen to your own body sensations more than your mind, because sometimes it's hard to remember traumatic experiences."

Isaiah

I survived. I'm no longer reliving the trauma and I don't feel trapped anymore.

Cathy

"ITR helps take raw emotions and put a structure to it to make sense of the experience. Makes things clear in my head, you don't relive it, but you experience the feelings."

Yahnn

"I used to believe that no one emerges from trauma processing sessions with a smile. But Melisa changed all that. My veteran clients (Afghanistan to Vietnam) persevered through resolving long held trauma week after week, sometimes month after month. It's intense and invaluable work, often laced with tears. The most diligent clients emerged smiling near the end because trauma no longer ruled their lives, and they could move forward with inner peace. I am always grateful for Melisa's holistic work with our veterans."

Kathleen K. (Collegue)

Reach out to start your healing journey today! Just 20 minutes and you'll be on your way.

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