معرفی
Melissa Tehee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University (USU), specializing in the Combined Clinical/Counseling PhD program. She also serves as Director of the American Indian Support Project (AISP), focusing on Indigenous community support and cultural preservation. Her academic affiliation is within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.
Tehee holds dual degrees in Clinical Psychology, Policy, and Law (Ph.D./J.D.) from the University of Arizona, with a certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy. She completed her predoctoral internship at the UC San Diego and San Diego VA consortium. Earlier degrees include a master’s in psychology from Western Washington University and a bachelor’s from the University of Nebraska.
Her research focuses on trauma across the lifespan, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities—especially American Indians—with emphasis on bias/racism, health disparities, domestic violence, and trauma-informed care. She explores intersections of law, policy, and cultural ethics, including critiques of APA ethics codes and multicultural competence. Her work also addresses Indigenous community advocacy, such as responses to missing/murdered Indigenous women and climate change resilience.
Her recent publications emphasize culturally sustaining frameworks, AI ethics, and Indigenous youth education. She co-founded the Konaway Nika Tillicum Native Youth Academy and engages in community-based projects like the AISP. Tehee is an active member of the Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP), advocating for Indigenous mental health equity.
