Melissa H. Manley, Phd
My clinical work is guided by values of acceptance, compassion, social justice, and effectiveness. My goal is to help you move in the direction of what matters most to you.
I primarily draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in my practice. This approach focuses on helping you to get unstuck by gaining distance from unhelpful thoughts, treating your emotions and internal experiences with more acceptance and self-compassion, and identifying what works for you. We may engage in mindfulness together, monitor or track your experiences, and engage in behavioral exercises or experiments.
My specialties include working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and self-image issues, social difficulties, and issues surrounding gender and sexual identity. As a member of the LGBTQ community with research and professional interests centered on sexual, relationship, and gender diversity, I am passionate about serving LGBTQ clients and clients in consensually nonmonogamous relationships. I strive to be aware of how all individuals I work with are impacted by their social contexts, such as personal relationships, family systems, and systems of oppression. I offer individual and relationship counseling to adults of all life stages. In addition, I enjoy providing assessment services to help clients better understand themselves and seek effective supports.
I have completed all requirements for my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Clark University, where I also received my Master’s degree. I received my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan. My previous clinical experiences include the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) Counseling Services, the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety of Central Massachusetts, MetroWest Neuropsychology assessment services, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School Student Counseling Services.
dr.manley@wellmanpsychology.com