Melanie Harrington, PhD

Psychologist

I take a creative approach to insight psychology, combining my doctoral education and training with a broad range of work and life experience. I have worked applying psychology as a litigation analyst in civil and criminal cases, in advocating for elders, and in psychodynamic therapy with a range of clients. In all of these areas, I've found that unconscious defenses and blind spots often lie at the core of social, emotional and behavioral troubles.

As a psychologist at a California prison, I initiated work with “Lifers”, using insight therapy to help them see the links between their unconscious emotional reactions and the crimes that led them to prison. Many of my clients took on the work of confronting old, painful memories. Being part of their process of redemption and growth was a peak experience, and I came away with a deeper understanding of the complexity and resilience of human psychology.

Psychotherapy can be a rewarding experience to help you see the ways your own thought patterns, emotional reactions and beliefs hold you back. I see a small number of clients for psychotherapy; if you want to be one of them, reach out and we’ll talk.

Although I know that therapy can be a route to change, I do not hold to the idea that it is the only route. Through self-analysis, philosophy, art, literature, music, spiritual practices and social bonds, human beings can and do gain important insights and change their actions in ways that lead to more fulfilling lives. Through readings and online courses on this site, I hope to share some of the psychology and creative approaches that help people do just that.