Community Engagement

An important part of being a mental health clinician is contributing to the communities I serve through my understanding of collective trauma, community stressors, and political advocacy. A few ways to do that are through publications, speaking engagements, and education. I earned my Master of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles with an emphasis in Applied Community Psychology. I continued my education with the LA Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Study. I completed the one year psychoanalytic psychotherapy certificate program, am an active member of the student society, and sit on the institute’s diversity committee. Learn more about some of my other work below!

Teaching & Presentations

The Affirmative Couch Continuing Education Courses

  • November 2022: Gender Minority Stress in Adolescence (6 CEs)
  • May 2022: Autism Affirmative Therapy for Allistic Providers (3 CEs)
  • April 2022: Spiritual Resilience with Christian LGBT Clients (3 CEs)
  • September 2021: Power Dynamics in the Facilitating Environment (6 CEs)

Alliant International University, LA Adjunct Faculty

Summer 2022 – PSY 7312- Sex Therapy

Antioch University Los Angeles, Adjunct Faculty

Winter 2023 – PSY 5310A – Personality Theory 1: Psychodynamic Theories

Fall 2022 – PSY 5310A – Personality Theory 1: Psychodynamic Theories

Publications

Morgan, K., Herbert, S., Dellens, M., Yang, C., Barr, T., Page, K., Finn, D., &Richards, J. (2020). A Community Narration Assessment of Master’s Level Psychology Students at Antioch University Los Angeles. GlobalJournal of Community Psychology Practice, 11(3), 1 – 13. Retrieved from (http://www.gjcpp.org/)                    

Dellens, M. (2021). 4 ways affirmative therapists can support transgender teens. The Affirmative Couch. Retrieved from: https://affirmativecouch.com/4-ways-affirmative-therapists-support-transgender-teens/

Dellens, M. (2021). Making the most of your clinic’s power. The Affirmative Couch. Retrieved from:      https://affirmativecouch.com/making-the-most-of-your- clinics-power/

Dellens, M. (2021). Defining Power for Affirmative Therapists. The Affirmative Couch. Retrieved from: https://affirmativecouch.com/defining-power-for- affirmative-therapists/

Dellens, M. (2021). Four Barriers to Affirmative Clinic Change. The Affirmative Couch. Retrieved from: https://affirmativecouch.com/4-barriers-to-affirmative-clinic-change/

Conference Presentations

Inclusion in Every Neighborhood: Community Facilitation Differences in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas -2018

Safety Consideration in Inclusive Camping for the American Camp Association Spring Leadership Conference – 2015

Past Collaborations

Walden School, Pasadena

The Road Om

Stepping Forward LA

Jay Nolan Community Services

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