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Dr. Meleeka Clary’s personal epiphany sparked her passion for destigmatizing mental illness and providing compassionate support. She began studying criminal justice in college and even became a certified paralegal. But internally she was grappling with severe depression, anxiety and trauma. “I hit rock bottom emotionally and knew I couldn’t continue that way,” she recalls. “Therapy and medication [allowed] me [to] understand first-hand how vital it is to talk openly about your struggles and have someone there with useful coping tools. The stigma and judgment surrounding mental illness often prevents people from getting help. I felt called to be the listening ear for people that I once needed myself.”

This revelation drove Clary’s 180-degree career shift. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology to provide mental health care for marginalized communities. “Now, I can uniquely relate to clients dealing with mental health issues,” she explains. “My own journey has helped me really empathize [with them so I can] guide them toward happiness and fulfillment.” Clary recognizes the lack of diversity across the psychology field. “As one of [the] few female clinical psychologists in Indiana, I’m definitely in rare company,” she chuckles. “But it motivates me more to bring an inclusive perspective that considers my patients’ cultural background when tailoring [their] treatment.”

 

She became particularly drawn to serving the mentally challenged after volunteering at shelters and non-profits. “Working directly with intellectually disabled folks showed me how much care and patience is required. Every person deserves to feel heard and supported no matter their capabilities,” she emphasizes. Since 2020, Clary has made great strides in counselling diverse patients at her Carmel, Ind., practice. “There’s no censor here—we discuss everything from anger issues to trauma to self-harm,” she explains. “I provide straight talk combined with warmth. Clients often open up rapidly because I meet them where they are without [any] sugar-coating.”

For anxiety sufferers, Clary teaches actionable coping methods, such as meditative breathing. But she also encourages discussing root insecurities. “An open ear can be more valuable than just prescribing solutions,” she notes. “I help patients better understand themselves so they can gradually shift [their] thought patterns on their own terms.” Managing a bustling caseload requires coordinating with other psychologists to ensure continuity of care. “I’m in regular contact with therapists and psychiatrists [so we can] align our approaches,” says Clary. “A patient’s care team has to function together, like a well-oiled machine, [to help them work] toward [reaching] their goals.”

She also participates in conferences to keep on top of emerging treatments. “Being privy to these innovations allows me to offer alternatives tailored to handling my clients’ specific mental health needs,” she explains.

Beyond her clinic walls, Clary has also thrived creatively as an award-nominated actor. She has landed various TV and film roles portraying relatable characters grappling with real-world issues. Most notably, she wrote and starred in the acclaimed film Three Corners of Deception, which highlights relationship conflicts and self-discovery.

“As a lead actor, I can intentionally tackle stigmatized topics like depression, trauma and drug abuse—issues my clinical patients face daily,” she points out. She also spotlights intersectional challenges for people of colour through her acting projects. “Seeing these human experiences normalized onscreen fosters empathy and allows people to feel less alone,” she says.

While juggling dynamic careers, Clary remains firmly rooted in her goal of destigmatizing mental illness—especially for marginalized groups. “I live out this mission [of] counselling patients and telling relatable stories onscreen,” she says. “Visibility fosters acceptance. My visibility as both a psychologist and a creative empowers me to spread this message on different planes.”

Through her empathetic clinical approach and raw onscreen portrayals, Clary continues to move the needle around mental health awareness every day. She says warmly, “My hope is that through open, shame-free dialogue, we can help heal minds—and communities will be healthier for it.”

KO Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.