About Melissa
Currently, I am a psychologist in private practice. I am licensed to practice in New York State as well as Minnesota. I also work as Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Psychology at University of Minnesota where I conduct psychological research and train doctoral students in their first clinical skills training course on their path to becoming future psychologists. I have taught undergraduate and master’s psychology students since 2014, and I have been practicing as a clinician since 2016.
My career in psychology began at University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Psychology. After completing my undergraduate degree, I immediately began my doctoral education at University at Albany-State University of New York. I received a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology as well as a certificate in Health Disparities in Public Health. As part of my degree, I completed my doctoral internship at Pace University’s Counseling Center in Manhattan. After I earned my Ph.D., I completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship focused on sexuality studies and public health at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute.
My training has afforded me a diverse range of clinical experiences working with adults of all ages and from varied sociocultural backgrounds. I have worked in university counseling center, community mental health, VA hospital, and substance use recovery settings.
Regarding my theoretical framework, I practice from a psychodynamic, multicultural, and relational approach. Additionally, I have research and professional expertise in studying health disparities among marginalized populations, including Latinx young adults, immigrants, college students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, familial caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. My particular research focus is on the intersections of substance use and sexual health and how experiences of discrimination can negatively impact health.