Melissa Kaplowitch

Dr. Melissa Kaplowitch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Program Coordinator of the M.S. in Counseling Program at Salem State University where she has trained students to become licensed mental health counselors for the past 22 years. She trained in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University, where she earned her Ph.D.; Columbia University, where she earned her M.A. and M.Ed.; and Clark University, where she earned her B.A.. Dr. Kaplowitch has worked with children and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her clinical work has an emphasis on effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic mental illness.  Her areas of research have focused on examining diversity and contextual factors when diagnosing men and boys with anorexia nervosa and the effects of using a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral approach when treating victims of rape and gang rape.  In addition to many volunteer positions, Dr. Kaplowitch serves as the community representative to the Marblehead Mental Health Task Force and serves as an executive board member of the Boston Regional Anti-Defamation League. In 2016, she received the Combined Jewish Philanthropy Edith Block Leadership Award, recognized for demonstrating extraordinary leadership and contributions to women’s philanthropy and North Shore Jewish life. In 2017, Dr. Kaplowitch was selected as a Salem State Distinguished Teaching Award winner, recognized as a faculty member who advances excellence in teaching and learning through new and creative instructional technologies, innovative pedagogies, and inclusive and supportive learning environments. In 2023, Dr. Kaplowitch was inducted into the Salem State University Civic Engagement Center Hall of Fame, recognized for advocating for and leading programs that support marginalized communities; connecting individual research and scholarship to improve public outcomes; coordinating events and programs that address social injustices and support civic causes; being involved in nonprofit organizations; and helping students recognize and use their civic agency to bring about social change. In 2024, Dr. Kaplowitch was the Salem State University recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award for outstanding and significant contributions to the causes of freedom, justice, peace, and equality. She was also the recipient of the 2024 Commonwealth Certificate of Achievement award.

Dr. Kaplowitch is trained in Counseling Psychology. Her areas of interest have focused on examining the impact of contextual variables on the etiology of symptoms of anorexia nervosa in boys and men. Other areas of research include using a trauma-based cognitive behavioral approach when treating victims of rape and gang rape. Currently, she is exploring the effects of social-emotional learning initiatives on high school students, the impact of community-based resources, and mental health illness across age groups.  Her clinical work has included treating the chronically mentally ill, especially treating patients who suffer from personality disorders, treating the dually diagnosed, and working in college counseling centers. Dr. Kaplowitch is a co-chair of Education for the Boston Regional Anti-Defamation League.

Dr. Kaplowitch teaches an array of classes in the undergraduate Psychology Department and graduate  MS in Counseling program where she serves as the Program Coordinator. She teaches Introduction to Personality, Internship Preparation, Clinical Psychology, Internship in Psychology, Counseling Theory and Practice I, Counseling Theory and Practice II, Developmental Psychopathology,  Differential Diagnosis, and Community Counseling in Multicultural and Diverse Settings. She has also taught The Nature of Adolescence, Adulthood and Old Age, Child Growth, Contemporary Family, Child Development and Public Policy, and General Psychology. She advises students in undergraduate and graduate Psychology Department programs.

 Kaplowitch, M. & Libon, M. (2024). “Identifying Narcissism”. Marblehead Current, March. https://marbleheadcurrent.org/category/health/

 Kaplowitch, M. & Philcrantz, T. (2024). “Understanding the effects of bullying on people with ID”. Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality, American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry, August. https://helenjournal.org/august-2024/understanding-the-effects-of-bullying-on-people-with-id

 Kaplowitch, M., Libon, M., & Philcrantz, T. (2024). Recognizing Narcissism and Its Effects on People with ID. Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality, American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry, September. https://helenjournal.org/september-2024/recognizing-narcissism-and-its-effect-on-people-with-id?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=66d60dff5fb18e0107095710&ss_email_id=66d9b98cb3f6a7783df671f1&ss_campaign_name=Read+Helen%27s+September+Issue+-+%22Craniofacial+Acceptance+Month%22+and+More&ss_campaign_sent_date=2024-09-05T14%3A02%3A29Z

 Kaplowitch, M., Rader, R., Perlman, S., & Holder, M., (2023). “Gaslighting in the medical workplace & how to recognize it”. Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality, American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry, May. https://helenjournal.org/april-2023/gaslighting-when-colleagues-collide

 Libon, M. & Kaplowitch, M. (2023). “Behavioral health challenges in adolescence and the role of hope”. Marblehead Current, June. https://marbleheadcurrent.org/2023/06/08/marblehead-cares-behavioral-health-challenges-in-adolescents-and-the-role-of-hope/?amp=1

Blander, L (2022, July, 22). Kaplowitch, a psychology professor at Salem State who serves on the Marblehead Mental Health Task Force, hopes 9-8-8 will reduce the stigma around reaching out for mental health support. 9-8-8 is a way of getting help for an emergency, like for any other emergency, she said. [Comment on the article “Marblehead Psychologist says 9-8-8 will be life saver”] Marblehead News Marblehead News. https://marbleheadnews.org/2022/07/21/marblehead-psychologist-says-9-8-8-will-be-life-saver/?amp=1

Irrera, D (2022, September, 2).The task force is comprised of a cross-sector group of community leaders according to Dr. Melissa Kaplowitch a professor at Salem State University in the Psychology Department and a member of the task force. The Marblehead health mental health task force is comprised of mental health clinicians, physicians, members of the school department, the Council on Aging, the Marblehead Counseling Center, the Board of Health and the Select Board who work to ensure that we are addressing and providing the appropriate interventions strategies to guide our citizens and particularly the most vulnerable, toward improved mental health, Kaplowitch said. [Comment on the article “Marblehead task for tackles mental health”] Marblehead Weekly News. https://reader.marbleheadweeklynews.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=7fb93d80-f365-4c3d-9d5c-2b809d859c68

Kaplowitch, M. (2001). Diagnosing anorexia nervosa and the role of gender and clinician background variables [Abstract]. Massachusetts Psychological Association Quarterly, Winter.

Kaplowitch, M., & Libon, M. (2023, May 24). Trauma Informed Suicide Prevention. Youth at Risk Conference, Endicott College, Beverly, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. & Libon, M. (2023, November, 13). Combating test anxiety: Self-care for mid-term preparation. Marblehead High School, Marblehead, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. & Dever, L. (2023, October, 15) Interfaith prayer vigil for the Israeli victims of terror and the victims of conflict. Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Marblehead, MA.

Kaplowitch, M (2023, August 23). Swampscott police community forum. First   Church of Swampscott. Swampscott, MA.

Kaplowitch, M., & Libon, M. (2023, May 24). Predictors of Hope in Adolescents. Youth at Risk Conference, Endicott College, Beverly, MA.

Kaplowitch, M (2022). "Suicide awareness: A community conversation", Marblehead Mental Health Task Force, Marblehead, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2021). "The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health", Marblehead Mental Health Task Force, Marblehead, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2021). "History of Success - Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic". Lynn Community Television, Lynn, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2021). "Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: A community discussion", Anti-Defamation League, Boston, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2020). “Mental health wellness in high school students: Raising awareness and reducing stigma”, Marblehead High School, Marblehead, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2018). “Applying DBT in everyday clinical practice”, Family Continuity, Peabody, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2018). “Pathways to careers in mental health”, Salem State University, Salem, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2018). "Conceptualizing personality disorders: A comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment”, Salem State University, Salem, MA.

Kaplowitch, M. (2016). “Transgender Awareness”, The Task Force Against Discrimination (TFAD), Marblehead, MA

Kaplowitch, M. (2014). “Beyond college: Opportunities within the field of  Psychology”, Salem State University, Salem, MA

Kaplowitch, M. (2003). “The new mother: You're not alone”, Jewish Federation of the North Shore, Marblehead, MA

Kaplowitch, M. (November, 2000). Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa and the Role of Gender and Clinician Background Variables. Lecture Presented at the Massachusetts Psychological Association Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.

Kaplowitch, M. (February, 2000). Schizoid Personality Disorder: A Case Presentation. Invited Speaker. Harvard Medical School. Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center. Brockton, Massachusetts.

Kaplowitch, M. (October, 1999). First Break Schizophrenic Episode in a Twenty-five Year Old Man. Invited Speaker. Harvard Medical School. Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center. Brockton, Massachusetts.

Kaplowitch, M. (September, 1999). Culture in America. Invited Speaker. Harvard Medical School. Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center. Brockton, Massachusetts.

Kaplowitch, M. (July, 1998). The Effects of Managed Care on the Mentally Ill. Invited Speaker. Kennedy School, Harvard University. Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Personal interests include family time, exercise, and community involvement.