معرفی
Melissa Klay is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Creative Arts Therapy at Pratt Institute's School of Art. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified art therapist with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in diverse clinical settings. She currently serves on the Curriculum Committee and Thesis Committee at Pratt Institute.
- Education:
- B.A. in Visual Arts, Stephens College
- M.P.S. in Art Therapy and Creativity Development, Pratt Institute
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Klay's research focuses on integrating art therapy with evidence-based approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for trauma (particularly PTSD in adolescents), sports psychology, and eating disorders. She has received institutional support to study DBT-art therapy hybrid interventions for adolescent females with PTSD.
Her professional accolades include a Pratt Institute Faculty Development Fund grant. She has also published on motivation in professional athletic players, though no specific years are listed in the provided text.
As an educator, Klay has taught a wide range of courses including Advanced Seminar I & II, Creative Arts Therapy I & II, and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment at Pratt Institute, alongside Jungian Psychology: The Individuation Journey at Pacifica Graduate Institute. She actively mentors students in their professional identity formation as therapists.
She participates in the Curriculum Committee and Thesis Committee, previously serving as Practicum Coordinator for Pratt's Art Therapy program. Beyond academia, she maintains a private practice in Westchester, NY, and works at Pleasantville Psychology Group.
