Melissa Trevathan-Minnis, PhD

Core Faculty and Psychology Internship Coordinator

Biography

Dr. Trevathan-Minnis has trained as a generalist with a sharp focus on diversity in all aspects of her work, and also has pursued several areas of specific interest in her career, including gender socialization and women’s issues such as sexual assault, domestic violence and body image, LGBTQ affirmative therapy, issues of college students and emerging adults, the human-animal bond, and group therapy. Her work as a professor and mentor aligns largely with her therapeutic approach that pulls from feminist theory, relational-cultural theory, and Interpersonal theory. She values strengths-based interventions that empower clients, helps to realize their full potential, and acknowledges their personal gifts. A development of one’s unique voice is her ultimate goal with both clients and learners. She has worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, university counseling centers, and most recently, a feminist collective group practice serving low income women, men and LGBTQ clients. In her personal time she spends time with her partner, son, and their small zoo of rescued pets. Animal welfare is a passion of hers, and  over the years she and her family has fostered many dogs awaiting homes.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Loyola University Maryland Counseling Center
Predoctoral Internship, Towson University Counseling Center
PhD in Counseling Psychology, University of Houston
BA in Psychology and English, Texas Tech University

Areas of Expertise

  • Gender Socialization
  • Women’s Issues
  • Sexual Assault
  • Domestic Violence and Body Image
  • LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy
  • Issues of College Students and Emerging Adults
  • Animal-Assisted Therapy and the Human-Animal Bond
  • Group Therapy

Personal Statement

I received my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston. I have trained as a generalist with a sharp focus on diversity in all aspects of my work, but also have pursued several areas of specific interest in my career including gender socialization and women’s issues such as sexual assault, domestic violence and body image, LGBTQ affirmative therapy, issues of college students and emerging adults, animal-assisted therapy and the human-animal bond, and group therapy.

My work as a professor and mentor aligns largely with my therapeutic approach which pulls from Feminist theory, relational-cultural theory, and Interpersonal theory. I value strengths-based interventions that both empower clients and help realize their full potential and acknowledge their personal gifts. A development of one’s unique voice is my ultimate goal with both clients and learners.

I have worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, university counseling centers, and most recently, a Feminist collective group practice serving low income women, men and LGBTQ clients. I enjoy curriculum development and teaching face-to-face and remotely.

I practiced as a licensed Psychologist in Maryland before moving to Austin, TX. In Austin I worked with a small group of families to develop a Montessori cooperative preschool community. I continue to work with counselors-in-training and online learners.

In my personal time I spend time with my partner, son, and our small zoo of rescued pets. Animal welfare is a passion of mine and we have fostered many dogs over the years waiting for loving homes. I am also a “junker” and appreciate restoring items once considered junk into items some might consider beautiful. As of late I have discovered the therapeutic value of gardening.

melissa.trevathan@goddard.edu

Affiliation BA Psychology
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MA Psychology