Biography

Biography


Dr. Melissa Zeligman is an associate professor of counselor education in the Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology. Prior to completing her doctorate at the University of Central Florida, Dr. Zeligman served as a mental health counselor, working in agency, medical, legal, and high school settings. Her research focuses on trauma work- including the experience of posttraumatic growth, the experiences of clients living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, and clinical skill development for counselors-in-training. Dr. Zeligman is an active member of multiple divisions of the American Counseling Association, including ACES, AARC, and ASERVIC.

Areas of Expertise
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Counselor Education
  • Trauma
Education

Ph.D., Counselor Education
University of Central Florida

Research

Research Interests
  • Mental health counseling interventions for clients living with chronic illness, particularly those living with HIV
  • Trauma and posttraumatic growth
  • Clinical skills training
Current Funded Projects

Systemic School Treatment and Response (Project STAR)

  • Principal Investigator: Melissa Zeligman, Ph.D.
  • Co-Principal Investigators: Oliver Edwards, Ph.D., Richelle Joe, Ph.D., Ann Shillingford, Ph.D., Viki Kelchner, Ph.D., Dayle Jones, Ph.D., and Stacy Van Horn, Ph.D.
  • Sponsor: Department of Education
  • Award Period: 2023-2028
  • Total Award: $5,024,952

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) for Professionals

  • Principal Investigator: W. Bryce Hagedorn, Ph.D.
  • Co-Principal Investigators: Dayle Jones, Ph.D., Ann Shillingford, Ph.D., and Melissa Zeligman, Ph.D.
  • Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
  • Award Period: 2021-2025
  • Total Award: $1,903,231

Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program

  • Principal Investigator: Dayle Jones, Ph.D.
  • Co-Principal Investigators: Gulnora Hundley, Ph.D., Melissa Zeligman, Ph.D., and W. Bryce Hagedorn, Ph.D.
  • Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
  • Award Period: 2020-2024
  • Total Award:$1,954,374