Dr. Melodie Schaefer, a Chicago School-educated clinical psychologist with three decades of experience in mental health and in the California professional psychology arena, is Executive Director of the The Chicago School Counseling Centers.

In her position, Dr. Schaefer oversees the work of two of Southern California's largest community counseling centers, which are integral parts of the Westwood and Irvine campuses of The Chicago School in Southern California.

Dr. Schaefer, who received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School in 1993, comes to her new position from Tarzana Treatment Centers, which provide integrated behavioral healthcare in Los Angeles County. While there she has served as supervisor of psychological services for the inpatient program and coordinator of mental health outpatient services, a program she developed. She also coordinated the doctoral and mental health training programs, and oversaw internship and practicum programs.

Dr. Schaefer serves on the Boards of California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC) and California Psychological Association's Division II Education and Training. She is a liaison to the California Board of Psychology, and a member of the Southern California Association of Psychology Training Programs (SCAPTP).

The Counseling Centers, which became part of The Chicago School when it affiliated with CGI in 2008, provide mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and full range of psychological services for individuals and families in the community. Centers are housed at the Westwood and Irvine campuses, where students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience while building their own client bases for future post-graduate practices.