Meet Melinda Sauder, MSW Intern

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 Melinda Sauder is in her final quarters at Walden University's Master's in Social Work program, completing her Concentration Field Placement.   

Melinda has an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy from The Florida State University.   

- Additionally, Melinda has research interests in grief and loss. She completed her Foundational Field Placement with Perinatal Support Washington, answering their Warm Line and holding space for women experiencing perinatal mood disorders and also pregnancy loss. She enjoys postpartum wellness planning and supporting mamas and babies. 

- Melinda is currently working in the Exceptional Family Member Program with military families providing case management and support for service members who have a spouse or child with a disability or medical condition

- Her prior clinical work as a music therapist included Birth-21 Public School Special Education settings with specialties in both developmental delay and gifted students.  

- Her work with adults spanned through old age, working with seniors with memory impairment. Already certified in administering cognitive assessments for people with dementia, Melinda is skilled in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Theory with clients and their families. 

- Working through a strengths-based lens, utilizing the Rogerian model of unconditional positive regard, Melinda is warm and non-judgmental.

- Melinda has been married more than 30 years and has three boys: two in college and a caboose baby who is 9! They also have a double doodle dog and two cats: an old stoic grey striped tabby and an iconic tuxedo kitten. Melinda enjoys hiking with her family, yoga and listening to music of every genre.