Owner/Executive Director, Dr. Melissa Springstead graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Psychology and worked in an elementary school as a teacher assistant. After a few years of teaching and tutoring she went back to USC and received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Upon completing her masters program she worked for Partnerships to Uplift Communities Charter Schools (PUC) as a clinical coordinator and then clinical supervisor providing mental health services for students and their families as well as supporting school personnel with student concerns. While working for PUC, Melissa also began to work in private practice with clients and their families to address psychological and educational difficulties. After working in the field Melissa decided to go back to school and get more training while obtaining her doctorate in psychology. Along with providing psychotherapy, Melissa is a clinical supervisor to pre-licensed therapits and an adjunct professor for the Couples and Family Therapy MA program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University.
Education
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, CA
Major: Psy.D Marriage and Family Therapy
Psy.D, Winter 2016
Dissertation: ANCHORED: A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Rossier School of Education
Major: Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
Masters, May 2006
California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Charter School of Education
Major: Masters in Special Education, Mild / Moderate Credential with a
Resource Certificate - Completion of Six courses, Summer & Fall 2002
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
School of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Major: Social Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts, Fall 2001
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT)
San Gabriel Valley CAMFT Executive Board Member 2014 - present
Young and Healthy Executive Board Member
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
University of Southern California Alumni Association
Delta Gamma Alumni Association
Professional Certification
Winter 2017 Trauma Informed Excellence, Coldspring Center for Social and Health Innovation
Spring 2010 Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified Instructor, Crisis Prevention Institute
Presentation and Panel Discussions
“Mindful Self-Care for Teachers, Staff, Parents and Families of Young Children" - Hosted by California Head Start Association Family Engagement Conference. (Presented with Dr. Rebecca Bokoch)
"Mindfulness Tools for Children, Adolescents, and Families" - Hosted by the YMCA at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (Presented with Dr. Rebecca Bokoch)
"Angst Movie Premiere and Panel Discussion" - Hosted by Westridge School for Girls, Fusion Academy Pasadena, Anchor Children and Family Counseling.
"Mindfulness Intervention as part of Trauma Informed Care Training" - Hosted by Young and Healthy
"Trauma Informed Mindfulness Interventions for Children" - Hosted by the California Head Start Association's Annual Health Institute.
"Trauma Informed Mindfulness Interventions for Children" - Hosted by The Whole Child in Whittier, CA
"Signs and Solutions to Stress" - Hosted by Growing Families at La Canada Presbyterian Church
"Signs and Solutions to Stress: Child Wellness Strategies" - Hosted by Head Start and Pacific Clinics.
"Trauma Informed Mindfulness Interventions for Children" - Pasadena Unified School District.
"Do You Feel Overwhelmed? Helping to remain Anchored” - Westridge School for Girls
"Do You Feel Overwhelmed? Helping to remain Anchored” - National Charity Pasadena, San Marino and Glendale Chapters.
“Benefits of a Clinical Counseling Training Program in a Charter School Setting” - California Charter Schools Association Conference in Sacramento, California
Honors
California Distinguished School Award, 2009 - Highlighting the Clinical Counseling Program at CALS Early College High School
University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education, Student Commencement Speaker, 2006
Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society, 2006