Melissa Beth Tucker
700 Huron Ave, Apt. 10CU Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: (617) 852-8746  E-Mail: melissa.b.tucker@gmail.com
SUMMARY
 Culturally sensitive psycho-social support specialist experienced in data collection,
evaluation, qualitative research and reporting in local and international settings.
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Skilled in best practices for crisis interventions, community support, and response to chronic
stressors; experienced trainer in first-line interventions, developed curriculum aimed
toward developing community resilience.
EDUCATION
2009-2012
Univ. of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
Denver, CO
M.A. Clinical Psychology, focus in International Disaster Psychology.
The MAIDP degree includes coursework in trauma, crisis intervention, public health,
program evaluation, research methods, with an emphasis on complex humanitarian
disasters.
1991-1996
Massachusetts College of Art
B.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Media and Performing Arts
Boston, MA
RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION EXPERIENCE
2014 -
Humanitarian Assistance Applied Research Group (HAARG),
Josef Korbel School of International Studies. University of Denver
Research Associate
2014 -
Humanitarian Assistance Applied Research Group (HAARG),
Denver Co
Josef Korbel School of International Studies. University of Denver
Research Associate
MHPSS.net: (current) Team member for qualitative research studying the impact of
the mhpss.net platform on the practice and the field of MHPSS service provision.
WHO/UNHCR: Assessment of the MHPSS response in Sulaimanyah, Dohuk and Erbil
governorates of Kurdistan region of Iraq, for Syrian refugees and IDPs; provided desk
review, and real time support and analysis to team carrying out assessment and
education.
UNICEF and Government of the Netherlands: supported consultant with desk review
of the current evidence, knowledge and practice on the issue of MHPSS with a special
focus on the impacts of conflicts on children’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, for symposium at the Hague.
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute: Virtual Team Collaborator, supporting
Reconnaissance Team member for Nepal Earthquake response.
Natural Hazards Center, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado:
training design for mental health and disaster risk reduction intervention in Haiti
International Medical Corps: secondary review and case study of "Self Help, Self
Heal" peer to peer mental health intervention in Gaza strip; preliminary research and
recommendations for mental health intervention for former combatants in Libya.
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2011- 2011
World Health Organization, South Pacific
Mental Health Technical Advisor
Denver Co
Suva, Fiji
Melissa Beth Tucker
700 Huron Ave, Apt. 10CU Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: (617) 852-8746  E-Mail: melissa.b.tucker@gmail.com
Completed evaluation and resource mapping of mental health and psycho-social
support (MHPSS) for emergencies in Pacific island countries (PICs); Developed an
action plan for WHO and partners to build MHPSS capacity in selected PICs.
2009-2010
Dept. of Emergency Preparedness Bioterrorism Readiness
Denver, CO.
Colorado Hospital Association
Program Evaluator.
Conducted evaluation of pilot educational intervention for improvement of Colorado
Hospital Facility-based Behavioral Health Disaster Preparedness.
MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE
May 2014
Humanitarian Training Initiative
Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
Staff Support specialist
3-day International Humanitarian Crisis Simulation
Denver, Co
2014- 2015
Aurora Strong Resilience Center, Aurora Mental Health Care
Aurora, CO.
Community Education Coordinator
Management and delivery of community-based education programs including Mental
Health First Aid; developed and delivered educational mental health, wellbeing and
community support workshops across a diverse community according to specific
needs regarding stress, trauma, and resilience, and immigration.
2013-2014
Aurora Strong Resilience Center, Aurora Mental Health Care
Aurora, CO.
Crisis Counselor and Outreach Specialist
Providing grant funded trauma and resiliency education and direct support to
community members in response to 2012 Aurora Theater Shooting and other
community and interpersonal crises.
2012 –
Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network
Littleton, CO.
Therapist
Providing short-term care in 16-bed inpatient psychiatric acute treatment
unit for adults.
2011-2012
Child Intensive Outpatient unit, Aurora Mental Health Center
Aurora, CO.
Therapist
Conducted intakes and provided individual and group therapy for children,
adolescents and adults.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
2013- 2014
Colorado Chiropractic Association
Denver, CO
Program Developer
Developed project materials and performed initial identification of project
challenges and opportunities to be used for as guidance for next steps in
establishment of Minority Alternative Center for Health.
2012-2013
Disaster Youth Forum
Denver, CO.
Melissa Beth Tucker
700 Huron Ave, Apt. 10CU Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: (617) 852-8746  E-Mail: melissa.b.tucker@gmail.com
Program Coordinator
Coordinated planning and development for a 3-day event designed to engage and
organize Colorado young leaders in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
PUBLICATIONS
Kreisberg, K., Tucker, M., Hawkins, J., Schmitz, J., Pendelbury, S., Pancheri, M., and
Szczepanski, J. (2013) Hospitals, Communities, and Disaster Preparedness. The International Journal
of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, (8) 1, pp 247 – 258.
PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES
Tucker, M. (September 2015) Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health. Expert panel for
Conservation Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
Tucker, M. & Kreisberg, K. (January 2012) Hospitals, Communities, and Disaster
Preparedness. Paper presented at the Eighth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural,
Economic and Social Sustainability, Vancouver, Canada.
Tucker, M. (2010) MHPSS Challenges in Pacific Island Countries. Pacific Humanitarian Team
annual meeting (Nadi, Fiji): Presentation of report findings and recommendations presented in
person by colleague.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2015
Mental Health in Complex Emergencies Course, Fordham University, IIHA, Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia
2015
Psychological First Aid Certified Instructor
2015
Mental Health First Aid Instructor
2013-15
Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer –disaster mental health responder
2014-15
International Humanitarian Crisis Simulation, Josef Korbel School of
International Studies, University of Denver, Staff Welfare ‘Officer’, 3-day simulation.
2012
International Humanitarian Simulation: Humanitarian Training Initiative,
Humanitarian Assistance Program, Joseph Korbel School of International Studies,
MAIDP
2012
Psychological First Aid: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
2012
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness: Richard Sears
2009
The Surge Solution: Expanding the Healthcare Highway: Colorado Hospital
Association and the Center for Disaster and Extreme Event Preparedness
2008- 2009
International Institute of Boston: Volunteer, workforce development
2007- 2009
Veterans Administration Medical Center: OEF/OIF Returning Combat Veterans
Volunteer, outreach and enrollment, data cleaning and monitoring.
AFFILIATIONS
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
American Psychological Association
Colorado Department of Behavioral Health Crisis Response
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Melissa Beth Tucker
700 Huron Ave, Apt. 10CU Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: (617) 852-8746  E-Mail: melissa.b.tucker@gmail.com
Forced migration, Impact of climate change effects on mental health, fostering community
psychosocial resilience, integrating psychosocial interventions into disaster risk reduction, long
term recovery from mass violence.
SKILLS
Languages:
French, continuing beginner
Spanish, beginner
Clinical Skills
Crisis Intervention
Psychological assessments
Suicide assessment and intervention
Education and Skill building
Cognitive and Dialectic Behavioral therapies
Brief Solution Focused therapy
Psychological First Aid
Hard Skills
Program evaluation and Qualitative Analysis
Training and Education
Community Outreach and Mobilization
Resource Mapping
Knowledge of Sphere Standards and IASC Guidelines
Publication and Proposal writing
Application of MHPSS WHO assessment toolkit