Melinda B. Flynn
LICSW, LCSW-BACS
Born and raised in south Louisiana, I have been practicing social work since 1994, when I graduated from LSU with a degree in Psychology and Sociology (I also minored in Classical Studies, which I like to believe contributes to my work in some way).
Just after graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I began my social work career by volunteering in an HIV/AIDS service provider agency, fielding calls on a hotline. Enamored with the work of helping people who were both struggling with life-threatening illness and with being a marginalized group – I found employment in another similar agency where I was further inspired to attend social work school to dig deeper into these endeavors.
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After graduating from Tulane School of Social Work in 1997, I was introduced to another group of people who had to fight to get the services they needed – our nation’s military veterans. I spent the next 8 years working as a therapist in outpatient mental health serving veterans and their families. While at the VA hospital (now known as the SLVHCS), I worked with male & female veterans from the ages of 18 to 98, with all kinds of presenting concerns. I also worked with other VA mental health partners to develop what would eventually be known as the “Family Program,” in which we actively developed programming to support veterans’ family members.
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Meanwhile, after earning my LCSW in 1999, I began working in immigration advocacy, providing evaluations for individuals and families facing the challenge of navigating the often-byzantine Federal immigration system. By doing this work, I have been able to expand my focus to a more global social work perspective, which I hope also informs my local social work practice. To this end, I began teaching at the Tulane School of Social Work, and for six years managed their Global Programs office. In this role, I trained the newest social workers who are ready to focus their own practices on local-global and international social work practice.
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Because I wanted to invest in practices that can make a difference quickly for my clients, I received Advanced Level training in the Center for Mind Body Medicine's Mind Body Skills Groups. This highly structured model teaches a concrete set of self-care and coping skills to participants in a small group setting. Since receiving this training, I have been facilitating groups at Bastion Community for veterans, in my private practice, and as an employee wellness offering in businesses, schools, and nonprofits.
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Over the years, I have volunteered on boards of local nonprofits; written grants for new programs; and been involved with community working groups addressing issues important to my personal and professional values. Having earned my Board Approved Clinical Supervisor license eleven years ago, I also enjoy providing supervision to practicing social workers toward their LCSW license.
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After living in New Orleans for many years, I have recently relocated to Washington, D.C. to experience new places & tap into my desire to explore. I am happily licensed to work with clients in both places. In addition to being a busy social worker, I am also a mother to my two children; and I enjoy running, traveling, reading, hiking, & attending all manner of live music performances.
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