Melissa Smith

Background

About Melissa Smith

Melissa directs a team of psychologists, social workers, and tutors at the Treatment and Learning Centers. TLC provides a holistic approach to servicing the needs of children and adults. TLC specializes in working with children and adults who have special needs and learning challenges. Melissa N. Smith received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the Catholic University of America. Her doctoral studies focused on children, families, and cultures, with a particular emphasis on the role of trauma and foster youth populations. Her dissertation examined the role of life skills training with foster youth who were aging out, utilizing a longitudinal perspective. In 2010, she received a Ford Foundation Fellowship from the National Academy of Sciences for research that resulted in a master's thesis on “Mindfulness and Black Identity in African American College Students.” Before enrolling at the Catholic University of America, Melissa Smith presented her first master's thesis entitled “Mindfulness and College Adjustment for Foster Care Alumni: The Mediating Relationship of Social Support” at the 2008 Ford Fellowship Conference. Over the course of her academic career, Melissa Smith has acquired significant clinical experience with children and young adults. Prior to her current position, she was the Director of Well-Being a monument academy, where she developed a trauma-focused, school mental health program from the ground up. Additionally, she was a Clinical Psychology Associate with Dr. Kimberly M. Brooks, PhD, & Associates, Inc. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Milton Hershey School (MHS) in Pennsylvania, a boarding school for low-income youth exposed to trauma. Her work in the field has been recognized by the Shine the Light on Children’s Rights Benefit sponsored by First Star, which designated her as an honoree in 2010.