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After graduating with a MSSW degree from UT-Austin, Melissa worked at Timberlawn Mental Health System, Adult and Adolescent Psychiatry Departments, and Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Psychiatry, Eating Disorder, and Utilization Review Departments, while earning the Advanced Clinical Practitioner license which transitioned into the Licensed Clinical Social Worker license.
In 2004, the LCSW licensure enabled Ms. Gray to achieve her goal, which she set as a fourth grader, of opening a private counseling practice.
Melissa’s mental health work experience also includes: Presenter of various mental health topics; MH Clinician providing mobile mental health assessments and care coordination at many hospitals, medical clinics, emergency departments, and long-term care facilities; Behavioral Health Care Advocate / Utilization Management at Optum Behavioral Health United Healthcare Group; and Caseworker in the MHMR system and with the Dallas Mental Illness Court system.
Additionally, Melissa Gray is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and has earned the ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC), and Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G) specialty certifications.
Ms. Gray also had the privilege of receiving training from the world-renowned creator of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Albert Ellis, Ph.D., who is recognized as one of the most influential psychologists, and from Janet Wolfe, Ph.D., former Executive Director of the Albert Ellis Institute.
Melissa is a lifelong volunteer, earning awards for her countless hours of service, and is committed to serving her community at schools and many wonderful non-profit organizations. She is a former Girl Scout troop leader, sports Team Mom, and a Charter Member of the Young Men’s Service League - Heritage Chapter. Her four-year YMSL membership positions included: Hours Chair; Hours Committee Member; and three-years on the BOD with simultaneous positions as the Parliamentarian, Standards Committee Chair, Nominating Committee Chair, and Awards Administrator.
As a current member of the National Charity League – Star Chapter, Melissa has held the positions of Historian and Philanthropy Liaison. Within Katy ISD, Mrs. Gray has volunteered for many years as a Homeroom Parent and been an active member of the PTA as well as coordinated the PTA Reflections program.
Melissa enjoys running, painting, wood-working projects, photography, baking large and creative cakes as well as spending time with family and friends.
From a very early age, Melissa knew she had a talent for listening to and understanding others. Interestingly, her talent became evident as she began writing an advice column for her elementary school newsletter. Her natural ability to provide empathy and non-judgmental feedback to benefit others continued as she began studying psychology in high school and training through the Peer Assistance and Leadership program.
Her training continued at Texas A&M University in College Station, where she was a two-year volunteer at the mental health Helpline and contributed to several psychology research projects while earning the Distinguished Student designation and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree.
Melissa continued her path to become a psychotherapist at The University of Texas in Austin, where she worked as a Teacher's Assistant (TA) for the School of Social Work, while earning a Master of Science in Social Work degree.
