A highly regarded mental health professional, Dr. Meleeka Clary has excelled as a clinical psychologist with HMWP Psychology Counseling in Carmel, Indiana since 2020. Specializing in treating mentally challenged patients, she strives to teach them how to communicate effectively in a safe, therapeutic space. She often collaborates with other psychotherapists and psychologists regarding their various mental health challenges, which range from anxiety, depression, and grief to anger, trauma, and self-destructive mood behaviors. She also dedicates her time to writing and reviewing notes, diagnosing patients, and setting up future appointments. To remain aware of her field, Dr. Clary maintains membership with the American Psychological Association.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Clary was a counselor with Meaningful Days Services in Indianapolis, Inn Transition Shelter in Peabody, Massachusetts and Hilderbrand Shelter in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A former educator, she taught at Ivy Tech Institute, ITT Technical Institute, Lincoln Tech Career Institute and Premier Education Group between 2005 and 2013. Among other roles, Dr. Clary was recruited as a paralegal for William/Rangulong Law Office in Malden, Massachusetts, an administrative assistant and billing clerk for Boston Medical Hospital and an office manager for Alternative Solutions in Boston.
As an extension of her career, Dr. Clary has been successful in the arts and entertainment industry for many years. A talented actress, director and writer, she worked for such companies as Dynasty Inc. and Next Entertainment. She also appeared in numerous television series, including “Greenleaf,” “Nashville” and “The Resident.” Likewise, Dr. Clary wrote, directed, and acted in her own film, “Three Corners of Deception,” in 2018, which is the story of a college law professor who falls in love with an attorney during a Las Vegas Memorial Day weekend. Notably, she has won awards at numerous film festivals, including the Toronto International Women Film Festival, Royal Wolf Film Awards and Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival. She is currently involved with John Casablancas Centers.
FWM: You are one of the most highly regarded mental health professionals. When did you discover your desire to help others?
It started when I was a teenager watching other kids pick on a young girl because she was a cross-eyed individual. The other kids would tease her and push her around. I really felt sorry for her regarding her disability, so I did not understand why these kids are picking on her for something she was born with. During that time, I intervened by picking back at them for bullying this powerless individual. I realized at that time I have a passion for helping people in need.
FWM: Why are people coming to you today?
My expertise is surrounded in communications and effective listening skills. I help individuals with several concerns they may have such as, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, couple/marriage therapy, schizophrenia, etc.
FWM: What are your concerns as a nation about mental health?
If people don’t start communicating about the problems they are experiencing mentally, the individual will continue to have breakdowns regarding their mood thinking and behaviors. Their behavior regarding coping with challenges will become more difficult to sustain a healthy lifespan. Until we as a nation understand how important it is for people to seek therapy or counseling, we as a nation will continue to have more problems regarding mental illness.
FWM: What makes HMWP Psychology Counseling unique?
First, HMWP Psychology Counseling is unique because we don’t charge a fee for our services. Therefore, we want to help decrease mental illness in ways that will help an individual in wanting to live a healthy mindset without the burden of a financial obligation. Another reason we focus on why the person is thinking the way they are. By completing a good intake process regarding understanding the patient’s family background, lifestyle habits, personal relationships, work history, etc.
FWM: As an extension of your career, you have been successful in the arts and entertainment industry for many years. Tell us about your experience and what you enjoy the most about the arts.
I am an actress, writer, director, model, and dancer. I love the entertainment industry because I enjoy being creative. The arts are a form of expression and storytelling. Every one of those arts I mentioned above are ways for one to allow one to express a feeling one is experiencing. For instance, I have been mistreated by the judicial system in Hamilton County Superior Courts in Noblesville, Indiana for being a Black woman with a voice. I have experienced discrimination of gender, race, and occupation. The treatment of bias and mental abuse was so bad that I had to do something, so this would not happen to another person like me by these judicial officers of the law. So, I written a movie about my lifechanging experience called “Three Corners of Deception” based on true events. My favorite one out of all the arts mentioned would be all.
FWM: What have you learned through your years as a Clinical Psychologist?
As a Clinical Psychologist I have learned I am a Human being first. No matter what title one earns the individual still endures the trials and tribulations of life challenges in this world. With that being said, I live in a body that dies from the human flesh and I too would need to keep my mind mentally sound by taking care of Dr, Meleeka Clary first.
FWM: Share your vision for mental health in 2023.
My vision would be that anyone who is dealing with challenges in one’s life that they cannot solve on their own; should seek counseling by a professional Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatry or Mental therapist. Sharing is caring! So, when one hears a friend or family member communicating their problems one needs to refer them to seek professional counseling. I would love to see and hear people caring about other people’s mental state of mind in 2023 and many more years to come.
