About

Dr. Melanie Santos is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, anxiety disorders, and body-image disorders—including extensive training and experience with body dysmorphic disorder.

Dr. Santos received her doctoral degree from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology and received further training in clinical and health psychology at Geisinger Medical Center. She completed postdoctoral training at the BioBehavioral Institute. She has been working in specialty anxiety practices for over 17 years.

Dr. Santos is co-author of the book Overcoming Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Dr. Santos maintains licensure in Illinois and New York and as a member of PSYPACT is able to provide telepsychology services in several states. Please reference this link for an up-to-date list of PSYPACT participating states: https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap.

PSYPACT is an interstate compact which offers a voluntary expedited pathway for practice to qualified psychologists who wish to practice in multiple states. PSYPACT is designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. In order to practice telepsychology in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only, can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). The PSYPACT Commission is the governing body of PSYPACT and is comprised of one representative from each PSYPACT state. More information regarding PSYPACT and its requirements can be found at www.psypact.org.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Santos is an empathic, supportive practitioner who values trust, candor, and a sense of humor in treating clients. She sees the therapeutic relationship as collaborative and puts her clients in the role of co-therapist, teaching them the skills and tools they need to overcome their obstacles. While she uses gold-standard treatments for everyone, individualized treatment plans are tailored to meet each person’s needs and strengths. This often involves working with clients in their real-world settings by guiding people through situations that cause them anxiety and teaching them to face their fears head on.