In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Resiliency Within is honored to spotlight the extraordinary work of Melissa Boley, who reflects on her remarkable career as a psychotherapist and leader in the field of trauma healing.

Melissa was recently awarded the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Idaho Counseling Association, in recognition of 36 years of dedicated service as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Idaho.

In this episode, she shares the wisdom and insights she has gained through decades of clinical work, as well as her international experiences and deep connection to the healing power of nature.

Her journey began in social services in 1978 while still an undergraduate, followed by earningher Master's in Counseling Psychology in 1986. Over the years, Melissa has worked across a wide range of mental health settings—including wilderness therapy programs with incarcerated youth, domestic violence shelters, group homes, crisis residential centers, and community mental health clinics throughout the United States. Since 1990, she has maintained a private practice in Ketchum, Idaho.

Specializing in trauma, Melissa brings an integrative, body-based approach to her work. She holds advanced postgraduate certifications in Somatic Experiencing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and the Trauma Resiliency Model.

She also serves as a Teaching Assistant with the Somatic Experiencing Institute and as a Consultant, Facilitator, and Trainer with the Trauma Resource Institute, teaching both the Community Resiliency Model and the Trauma Resiliency Model, sharing trauma-informed resilience skills both nationally and internationally—including in Nepal, the Philippines, and Serbia.

Join us as Melissa reflects on a lifetime of service, the evolution of trauma-informed care, and the vital role of somatic awareness in supporting healing and resilience.