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Melissa Dellens, MA, LMFT (she/they) is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor at Out Couch Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, a group practice and training space where LGBTQIA+, CNM/ENM, and kink affirming pre-licensed therapists can learn to incorporate psychoanalytic theory into their work. Prior to her transition into mental health, Melissa supervised a community integration program for Autistic, Neurodivergent, and Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled people for 12 years. Melissa served as COO, an educator, and an author at The Affirmative Couch for five years, and has been adjunct faculty at Antioch University Los Angeles and Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Melissa earned their Master of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles with an emphasis in Applied Community Psychology. Their certifications include the one-year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Certificate at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS) and Level 1 of the Trauma Resiliency Model. Melissa is an affiliate member of LAISPS and is active in the institute’s Diversity Affairs Committee.