Our Team
You deserve care that understands not just what you're going through but how it feels to live through it.
Melissa Ayantola, LMHC
After the birth of my first son, I experienced postpartum anxiety and OCD—though I didn’t have the language for it at the time. I felt constantly on edge, overwhelmed, and eventually developed severe insomnia. It wasn’t until my husband expressed concern that I realized something was wrong.
When I sought help, there were no perinatal mental health specialists in my area—even in one of the largest cities in Massachusetts. I began therapy with a non-specialist, and while some symptoms improved, much of my experience went unrecognized. Looking back, I believe the lack of specialized care prolonged my suffering.
Finding the right support changed everything. That experience shaped my work and led me to specialize in perinatal mental health—so that no woman has to navigate this alone or feel misunderstood in the process.
I also bring a personal understanding of perimenopause and relationship work, including my own experience in couples therapy. These experiences inform how I show up—with empathy, honesty, and a deep respect for how complex these seasons can be.
"This is the kind of care I strive to provide — support that is both deeply informed and genuinely understanding of what you’re going through."
12+ Years of Clinical Experience
Specialized Training in Perinatal Mental Health
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/ Trauma Focused
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
Testimonial - Deeply Grateful
"I can’t recommend Melissa enough. I’ve worked with her for several years, and she has had such a profound impact on my life. She has supported me through chronic illness, difficult family relationships, years of uncertainty around becoming a mother, and then pregnancy and postpartum. Throughout every season, she has shown constant compassion, wisdom, and grace. Her integration of Christian faith into counseling has also been incredibly meaningful and grounding for me.
I am deeply grateful for the support, guidance, and care Melissa has given me over the years. She is truly a gift to the people she works with."
Testimonial - Through Grief
"Working with Melissa has been so beneficial for me. I first came to her while facing a life-limiting diagnosis for my unborn daughter. From the beginning, she met me with deep compassion, steadiness, and a calming presence. Grounded in shared Christian roots, our work together carried an added layer of comfort, meaning, and hope. She helped me honor my daughter's life while reminding me of God's presence in the midst of uncertainty.
After my daughter's passing, Melissa continued to walk alongside me with compassion while I grieved. More recently, she has supported me through pregnancy after loss with the same empathy and compassion, holding space for both joy and fear. Melissa's warmth, professionalism, and faith-integrated approach have been a source of strength during some of the most difficult chapters of my life. I am grateful for her care and cannot recommend her enough."
Growing Our Practice...
Foundations was created with the goal of reaching more women, couples, and families than one clinician alone can support. As the practice grows, additional therapists will join—each carefully selected and aligned with the same values of specialized, relational, and high-quality care. This intentional expansion allows us to increase access while maintaining the level of support and integrity that Foundations is built on.