Melissa Middleton, PhD

Years at Tulane:
Since 2011

Dr. Middleton's clinical and research interests focus on infant and early childhood mental health, with a particular emphasis on early childhood assessment and parent-child relationship assessment and treatment. She co-directs the Tulane Parenting Education Program, which is part of a statewide Family Resource Center Network that provides assessment and treatment for children and families involved with the child welfare system. As part of this work, she conducts trainings on child maltreatment, attachment, and the implementation of evidence-based interventions focused on recovery from maltreatment.

Dr. Middleton also serves as a mental health consultant for pediatric providers and early childhood education professionals. She has conducted child assessment trainings and provided child developmental assessments for international research examining the impact of neurotoxicant exposures on maternal and child health, and for local research examining prenatal and maternal life course stress on infant biological and developmental outcomes. She has a particular interest in multicultural issues, currently serves as a member of the Department of Psychiatry’s Diversity Committee and a Co-Chair for the Department of Psychiatry’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Curriculum and Training Committee, and provides an annual multiculturalism course for psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows within the Department of Psychiatry.