Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and a Certified Autism Specialist.  She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University with a Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counseling.  She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Melissa received her Autism certification through the IBBCES. 

Melissa has experience in several settings, including five years working in an academic setting serving children with special needs (primarily on the Autism spectrum) and severe behavior disorders, during which time she implemented Applied Behavior Analysis behavior plans, assisted in providing alternative services, and provided academic development in accordance with the children’s specialized IEP’s. Melissa also worked in an inpatient setting providing brief therapy to adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses.  

Melissa has been working with Responsive Centers since January, 2012, where she completed a portion of her graduate level internship. Along with individual therapy, Melissa is interested in and has performed a number of psychological and intellectual evaluations, including Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluations.