Melissa Odegard

Melissa Odegard, Ph.D., is a Professor and Interim Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. She serves as chair of the Department of Psychology & Counseling.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling emphasis) from Idaho State University
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri

Her research focuses on integrating social justice paradigms into counselor education and clinical practice, with expertise in:

• Depression and anxiety treatment
• Expressive arts therapy
• Popular culture interventions
• Telehealth counseling
• LGBTQ+ mental health
• Substance use and grief counseling

She has extensive clinical experience working with both urban and rural populations, including at Gibson Recovery Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.