Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D.; Writer, Speaker, Psychologist
WRITING:
Dr. Leedy recently began writing a new book – stay tuned through her Facebook Page: Melissa Leedy, Writer ~ Speaker ~ Psychologist
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Dr. Leedy is a dynamic, relatable, and passionate speaker. She enjoys this aspect of her work, whether it be training in the areas of chronic pain and illness, insomnia, stress, blending Christian faith with psychology, or any other psychological or Christian topic.
Below is a list of speaking engagements that she has done in the past:
February 24, 2024: The Depth of God’s Love (40 minutes): First Methodist Broken Arrow Women’s Retreat
Nov 3, 2023: Keynote address (90-minutes): Chronic Pain Management; Oklahoma Psychological Association Annual Conference, Tulsa, OK
April 22, 2023: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (3-hour training): Oklahoma Psychological Association Spring Conference.
Sept 26, 2021: “Generational Blessings”: Glow, Grow, and Gratitude First United Methodist’s Women’s Tea, Broken Arrow, OK
April 30, 2021: “The Role of Psychological Pain Management in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: A Forum with Federal, State, and Local Lawmakers” in conjunction with Oklahoma Psychological Association/American Psychological Association (Virtual)
Mar 2021: Broken Arrow Rotary Club, Broken Arrow, OK
Sept 2020: South Tulsa Rotary Club (Virtual), Tulsa, OK
Apr 7, 2020 “Stress In The Workplace” (Virtual) Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, Broken Arrow, OK
Sept 2019: The Power of A Dream
June 2019: “Managing Stress Before It Manages You” Tulsa Council of Women Realtors Luncheon, Tulsa, OK
May 30, 2019: Successful Women’s Luncheon – Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, Broken Arrow, OK
Mar 28, 2019: “The Problem of Chronic Pain” at Bright Tomorrows Non-Profit Organization, Tulsa, OK
Mar 5, 2019: “Insomnia: What Is It and Strategies to Fix It” – Town and Country School Parent Meeting, Tulsa, OK
Feb 23, 2019: “The Curvy Road to the Straight Path” Revive Women’s Retreat, South Community Church, Tulsa, OK
Feb 22, 2019: “Understanding and Treating Chronic Pain” (1.5 CEU hrs) Christian Association of Psychological
Studies, Tulsa, OK
Nov 3, 2018: “CBT-Chronic Pain (1.5 CEU hrs), CBT-Insomnia: A Client Problem Worth Losing Sleep Over “(1.0
CEU hrs) at Oklahoma Psychological Association Annual Conference, Broken Arrow, OK
Aug 17th & Sept 5th, 2018: “CBT-Chronic Pain” (12 CEU hrs) at Legacy Counseling Services – therapist training
Feb 2018: “The Curvy Path to the Straight Road”: Revive Women’s Retreat
June 1, 2017: “Managing Stress Before It Manages You” Home Builders Association, Tulsa, OK
Feb 24, 2017: “CBT-Insomnia: A Client Problem Worth Losing Sleep Over” Christian Association of Psychological
Studies, Tulsa, OK
Mar 2016: “CBT-Insomnia: A Client Problem Worth Losing Sleep Over” Brookhaven Hospital, Tulsa, OK
AWARDS:
July 2021: Nominated for “Small Business of The Year 2021” by the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
Feb 2, 2018: Awarded “Woman/Minority Owned Business of the Year 2018” by the Broken Arrow Chamber of
Commerce; Nominated for Community Impact Award 2018 Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING:
Dr. Leedy is not accepting new, individual therapy clients at this time. She is also taking a sabbatical from the Virtual Chronic Pain/Illness Group, which she facilitated for two years. You can learn more about the group here: https://legacycounselingservices.com/counseling-for-chronic-pain-and-illness/. Once she begins that group again she will send updates through this website and the Legacy Counseling Services Facebook page.
If you need individual mental health therapy, please also review the information about the other wonderful and skilled therapists at Legacy Counseling Services on the Affiliated Therapist Tab on the home page.
ABOUT DR. LEEDY:
Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D.
Dr. Leedy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology at Oklahoma State University. While at OSU, she served as the clinical director of the graduate student counseling program – responsible for providing consultation to junior graduate students who were providing therapy and managing the day-to-day operations of the clinic.
She has been a licensed psychologist since 2008, first starting her career at the VA in Tampa, Florida as a rehabilitation psychologist (working in the spinal cord injuries/disorders unit) and then working as a psychologist in the primary care setting. While at the VA, she was certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.
During her 9 year tenure at the VA, she was involved in training Motivational Interviewing (a therapeutic technique designed to move people closer to making positive changes in their lives) to physicians, nurses, medical social workers, and pharmacists. She was also trained in, and facilitated, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Crucial Conversations – both multiday programs she facilitated for large employee groups at the Tampa VA for approximately 4 years.
Dr. Leedy started Legacy Counseling Services in Broken Arrow, OK in Jan 2015 as a solo mental health provider. She quickly learned that having a business consisting of only herself did not align with her values or with the vision she had for Legacy Counseling Services. In early 2017 she expanded into a group counseling practice with 1099 contractors. Currently, she leads a team of 8 contract mental health therapists and 2 virtual assistants. While she no longer provides individual mental health counseling, she continues to work with veterans offering compensation and pension disability evaluations.
Over the years, she has been committed to her receiving her own business coaching to which, along with the skills and talents of her great team, she attributes the success of Legacy Counseling Service. Dr. Leedy earned Woman Owned Business of The Year in 2018 and in 2021 Legacy Counseling Service earned Small Business of The Year from the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Arrowhead Awards.
If you are interested in writing, scheduling speaking or training engagements with Dr. Leedy please contact the office at 918-505-4367.
On a more personal note, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I strive to live a life reflective of His loving character. Just like all of us, I’m constantly in need of His grace. I am involved in my church community and believe that healing, even in the counseling room, ultimately comes through the power of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.