Dr. Melissa Klay is a master clinician and tenured professor who holds the rare distinction of being dual-licensed as both a clinical psychologist and a board-certified art therapist. For over 25 years, Dr. Klay has specialized in treating children, adolescents, and adults navigating complex trauma, eating disorders, and severe emotional dysregulation. Her signature methodology masterfully bridges the profound self-discovery of depth psychology with the structured, evidence-based interventions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—all uniquely enhanced and unlocked through targeted creative art interventions.
Alongside her thriving private practice, Dr. Klay is a full-time, tenured Associate Professor in the Graduate Creative Arts Therapy Department at the Pratt Institute, where she has taught and mentored clinicians for over two decades. A dedicated researcher committed to bridging theory and practice, she was awarded a prestigious grant from the Pratt Institute’s Faculty Development Fund to spearhead a specialized study integrating Art Therapy and DBT for adolescent females navigating PTSD. An active thought leader, Dr. Klay frequently presents her findings at professional conferences across the metropolitan area and has published insightful sports psychology research in the Journal of Applied Sport Management.
Dr. Klay earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute and her Master of Science from the Pratt Institute. She completed her extensive, high-acuity foundational training at world-class institutions, including St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health. Seamlessly blending a sophisticated psychological toolkit with profound warmth and creative intuition, Dr. Klay provides an unshakeable, validating environment where clients can safely dismantle destructive patterns, process deep-seated trauma, and reclaim control over their lives.
When she is not providing therapeutic services or teaching, Dr. Klay enjoys channeling her energy into her own art, reading, exercising, and cheering on her favorite futbol/soccer teams.