Melissa P. Hayes, MSW, LICSW

Vascular disease can affect every aspect of a patient’s life. Its complexity means proper treatment requires a comprehensive plan. That's why I listen carefully to my patients so I can understand their concerns. I explain care options in detail so that with their help, I can tailor each plan to their unique needs. I’m able to walk my patients through that process and provide the best care possible thanks to the full gamut of therapies available at Dartmouth Health. Ultimately, my goal is to help my patients tackle this complicated disease. The sooner they get back to the activities they love, the better.

As a child psychologist, my goal is to provide children and families with evidence-based treatments in the context of a strong therapeutic relationship. My work is aimed at providing services to a diverse group of patients and help them address common behavior problems that occur in children and adolescents. In my therapeutic work, I strive to treat each child or teen as an individual and match their specific challenges and strengths with a treatment approach capable of improving their quality of life and supporting a successful future. I provide behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to children and adolescents ages 2-19. My clinical interests are foremost in the treatment of aggressive, defiant, and disruptive behaviors. Many of my clients present with challenges related to diagnoses of ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Conduct Disorder. I have a deep interest in the treatment of sleep disorders and elimination disorders (e.g., bedwetting, difficulties toilet training). I also welcome referrals for children and teens seeking help for anxiety, OCD, depression, somatic distress, and family conflict. In addition to my clinical work, I also conduct research and provide training to developing therapists. My research interests are in the areas of bullying prevention and the development of treatments for children with aggressive and defiant behaviors that do not have access to traditional mental healthcare. I currently serve as the Lead Supervisor of Child Psychotherapy Training for both the Psychiatry and Psychology trainees within the Department of Psychiatry. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from our remarkable trainees.