A licensed psychologist in California and Colorado, Dr Mélisande Holohan’s clinical work has focused on child, adolescent, and family psychology, with a specialty in family health psychology. She did her pre- and post-doctoral clinical work at the Oakland Children’s Hospital, where she served as chief resident of the Department of Psychiatry. Most recently she worked with adolescents in a residential treatment program for girls with severe eating disorders. Mélisande’s areas of special interest include the psychology of illness, death, and dying. She has particular experience with children who are either ill or coping with a parent’s illness. Mélisande currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two young sons, who continue to educate her about child development.
Q: I have been separated from my husband for over a year. We were married for seven years, and during the last five years of our marriage I financially supported both of us. I went to marriage counseling by myself primarily for the better part of ten years; he attended some sessions. He recently stole […]
Q: I’m a 30-year-old man currently dating a 21-year-old woman. We have known each other for a year and been a couple for four months. We are in love and she is VERY much in love with me (so she says). She constantly wants to snuggle and be close and alone with me. Though, after […]
Q: The responses on this site about how adult children can deal with abusive controlling parents have been very helpful. I am OK with and capable of distancing myself physically and emotionally. But, I can’t shake the feeling that it is my responsibility to somehow help my parent who is clearly troubled by seeking a […]
Q: I have been seeing my therapist for almost 5 years. I had major depression in my early 20s (I’m 42 now) but kind of snapped out of that without any help after a year and a half or so. My therapist thinks I now suffer from dysthymia, I think it’s atypical depression, but it’s […]
Q: I have a weakness for seeing beautiful garments muddied. I don’t just want to watch someone get something muddy. I want to do it, as well. When I have the urge to get something muddy, it is like a compulsion. I can’t refuse it. When I try to, I get clammy and sweaty and […]
Q: I am a 31-year-old woman, raised in a very conservative family. My father was abusive and violent; my mother is vulnerable, with low self-esteem. I have always been criticized and insulted by both. I grew up with a sense of low self-esteem, insecurity and diffidence, although I’m pretty and have always been superior in […]
Q: We have been married for 33 years. It is hard to explain, but because of the nature of my husband’s business, for the last 20 years we lived half of the time in separate countries (he traveled back and forth). Three days after our daughter’s wedding I found out that my husband has been […]
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