Melissa Saunders M.S.W., J.D.

Melissa Saunders is a clinical social worker and the Assistant Director for Clinical Services at CAPS. Originally from Virginia, she grew up in Chapel Hill and received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music from Yale University, her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia, and her Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with a concentration in mental health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Melissa’s professional interests include emerging adulthood, ADHD, crisis work, complex trauma, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.  She enjoys working with students around a variety of issues, including adjustment and transition, anxiety, career/life goals, depression, grief/loss, identity, interpersonal problems, substance abuse, and trauma. Melissa uses an eclectic approach in working with students, drawing from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, interpersonal, and other traditions to meet the unique needs of each of her clients.  Outside of CAPS, she enjoys music, dancing, hiking, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and parenting her teenage Australian Shepherd.