Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, facility hours might change in accordance with Los Angeles County guidelines and Center for disease Control (CDC) Guidelines.
Our Drug testing hours have changed in order to reduce the risk of exposure to our staff and patients/Clients.
Our temporary hours for testing are from 08:00 am to 4:45 pm
MELA's substance abuse counseling program is for both women and men many of whom may have lost their children to the court systems because of substance use or domestic violence. Our counselors help the abuser through counseling and positive progress, have their children returned to their parent(s). Patients learn how they can control their need to use drugs and/or alcohol which includes; teaching self-control, self-esteem, life skills, health education, social activities, business skills, parenting, and anger management skills.
Parents are usually sent to MELA to help them learn how to best handle their children in most situations. It is not easy to be a parent and each child is unique, therefore each child must be cared for differently than their other children. Through this program, parents will learn the best approaches to care
for their children.
There are times when anger becomes out of control. Clients will come to MELA to learn how they can learn ways to control their anger. MELA can help provide ways clients can learn to maintain control of their anger and give them alternative behaviors.
Programas de consejería de MELA, tanto para mujeres como para hombres que Sufren pro trastornos por consumo de sustancias o violencia doméstica. Nuestros consejeros ayudan a complementar sus propios esfuerzos. Los pacientes aprenden cómo pueden controlar su necesidad de consumir drogas y/o alcohol, lo que incluye; enseñar autoestima, habilidades para la vida, educación para la salud, actividades sociales, crianza, habilidades de manejo de la ira.
My name is Jamie M. I am 29 years old. I have a beautiful 8-month-old daughter named Ruby. On February 8th I gave birth to my daughter and we both tested positive for methamphetamines which caused me to have an open DCFS case. By the grace of God, my baby was born healthy, and at a healthy weight. Every day I thank God for giving me the opportunity to raise my daughter and have her under my care while my case was open. While attending group sessions at MELA Counseling Services and hearing other patients’ children being removed I was motivated to fight my addiction and not take for granted the blessed opportunity of having my child at home. I often viewed my case as God’s way of saving me from my addiction. I use this lesson as a daily reminder to be the best mother that I can be and to cherish each moment I have with my daughter. Enrolling in MELA Counseling Services was truly a blessing in disguise because I learned so much about myself and the repercussions of my addiction. I am able now to identify my triggers to prevent relapse because I understand now that recovery is a continuous process. I have found myself and I know who I want to be and most of all to be the mother my daughter deserves.I have now over 7 months sober, and I want to continue striving for a better future. With that being said, my counselor helped me receive free education and I was able to enroll in school to pursue a healthcare career. I hope my testimony serves those mothers who are struggling with addiction, stress, and the emotional rollercoaster sobriety brings. I am here to tell all those fighting addictions and DCFS cases to not give up and devote themselves to MELA and their amazing counselors because they are here to really help you. The key to success in one’s recovery is to devote and prioritize our addiction because our addiction inhibits us from evolving and being good parents and overall people.I would daily force myself to put no excuses and attend and participate for it is all for our well-being as well as our children. I thank MELA Counseling services for everything they have done for me, but especially to my counselor Sandra Gallegos who has never given up on me and believes in me and always made herself available when times were rough. My counselor Sandra is truly an inspirational person and without her help and support and I do not think I would have made it this far. Your perseverance in your recovery will show results and the outcome will have you feeling fulfilled and accomplished. I encourage you to follow MELA’s path to success and view for yourself the happiness your commitment and sobriety will bring you.
Hello, my name is Amber Reynoso. My husband's name is Joel Reynoso. We both have three beautiful children together Ariah 14 years old, Damian 11 years old, and Serenity 10 years old. This is a testimony of our success at MELA Counseling Services Center. I will be telling the story of our testimony.
Yes of course our story begins with us having sickness and a drug addiction problem, and like any other parent/ person that has this sickness, lost everything they gained for their family or themself. Yes, life had begun to be unmanageable for my husband and me. We did have everything: the house, a car, our kids, each other, money, a job, etc. until 2017 someone called DCFS on us and made allegations that we were neglectful, we were endangering our children, that we were on drugs, etc.
Yes, I was furious because only the drug part was true, I thought I was ok, that I was never going to get caught, but I did. DCFS had us drug test for them which at that time I was the only one that had the sickness, so I tested positive for meth, my husband came out negative he did not know that I was using it at that time, I kept it from him, he was so upset at me he was so disappointed at me. Now I was so mad at the fact that I felt so violated that I went into a deep depression because they removed my children from me, so I went more into drugs which led to me losing my house, my car, my job, my husband, having no money I mean we lost everything. For about three years, DCFS had my husband and I do lots of Drug classes, parenting, random drug testing, individual counseling, and much more, . All because of my action, I could honestly say this experience is very traumatic for us. We had our share of very bad workers. They made our lives a living hell and told us that we would NEVER get our baby's back, (FYI) “Not all workers are the same. “There are really cool ones but they gave us hell only because we were not willing to let them help us”. We thought it was their fault and did not really want to see the bigger picture that it was us, not them. We were not willing to surrender and admit there was a problem with us. We were in denial. We were fighting our case for about three years before they terminated and closed it in 2019 before the pandemic started. Even though we completed everything they were asking for and got all our certificates and have been clean and SOBER, they had the nerve to close it anyways. We were so devastated. I speak for myself on this one. I felt like I was defeated. All my hard work went down the drain. It was all a waste of time. After that, I really was going to give up then, my husband got fed up with me because I was in a very deep depression, “and he decide that's it, you're giving up. Get dressed and let’s go searching for what we can do". We are not giving up on our kids. “God never gave up on us so why are you giving up”. So, that's what I did. I got up, and we went. It was the best thing that we could have ever done because we had found what we were looking for and they told us we have to take all the classes again and do a 388-petition paper so our children may be returned to us. So that's what we did through the whole pandemic of 2020.
It did not stop us, so we entered MELA Counseling Services Center. They showed us what a true sobriety family feels like, and not only did they show us but they provided us with the tools. They also encouraged us to be the best person we are, and they accepted us with wide-open arms, and they never judged us. They always had someone to talk to you if you needed to talk and they pointed us in the right direction that we needed. For the time we have been at MELA, we have made a new family with everyone, and they are a big support system in our life. If it was not for them to have our back through good and very bad times to the fullest, and give me that extra push, I probably would have not been able to have my kids in my care. Yes, I said in my care. With their support and our hard work, we got our babies back as of October 12, 2021. I thank GOD for allowing us to have another chance and giving us this amazing testimony on how we were without our kids and how bad we were and showing us faith and how to strive for what we want and putting the right people in our life such as MELA. They are a new forever family and there is nothing better than this, AMEN. If we can do it, you can too. You just must have an open mind and open heart and accept the wrongdoing and self-evaluate yourself and believe you can do it for your family and your kids. You are all they have, they have no one else.Thank you for reading this testimony. I pray for the person that is reading this. If you or your family needs help, that you help them, and send them the help they need.AMEN AND GOD BLESS…
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
MELA is happy to announce that Mental Health Services to the community and for our clients will be available soon in the near future. This program has become very successful as there is a shortage of mental health facilities in the area. Our program is a definite help for those who are in need of these services. For Job Opportunities at MELA, please check our Job opportunities page listed above.
Coming soon: Ask your counselor or staff for information.
Drug testing is performed at our facility. For help, please make sure to call the hotlines available to assist you.
DCFS testing information
1 (866)-599-3313
For Color Random testing call
1 (323)721-6855 ext. -24
Or call the front desk for questions at our office number.
MELA counseling services Is expanding and working together with other agencies to help our community, together we can guarantee successful recovery and transition out the woes that damage and hurt our community.
MELA is glad to partner with:
Drug addiction is the most severe form of a substance use disorder (SUD). An SUD develops when a person’s continued use of alcohol and/or drugs causes significant issues, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. An SUD can range from mild to severe. Addiction is a complex, chronic brain disease characterized by drug craving, seeking, and use that persists even in the face of devastating life consequences. Addiction results largely from brain changes that stem from prolonged drug use—changes that involve multiple brain circuits, including those responsible for governing self-control and other behaviors. Drug addiction is treatable, often with medications (for some addictions) combined with behavioral therapies. However, relapse is common and can happen even after long periods of abstinence, underscoring the need for long-term support and care. Relapse does not signify treatment failure, but rather should prompt treatment re-engagement or modification.
