Melinda A. Meyer, born January 18, 1955, California, USA
Ankerveien 36C, 0785 Oslo, Norway
e-mail: meli-m@online.no
Mob +47 900 700 78
Academic background: Research
2007 – present Project leader of EXIT (Expressive Art in Transit) 203 unaccompanied minor refugees asylum seekers. An early intervention and longitudinal study of mental health
2007 PhD in Expressive Arts “Repatriation and Testimony” EGS Supervisor: Proff. Paolo Knill and NKVTS/UIO Proff. Nora Ahlberg
2007 Certified to use the CIDI research interview method.
2004 “Qualitative research methods in medicine” 32 hours (3 Vekttall)
2004 Transcultural research on trauma seminar. Medical faculty. Edvard Hauff . 25 hours
1998 Research seminar: Medical Anthropology: New directions and secure foundations in Anthropology for Medicine. 30 hours (1,5 Vekttall)
1996 – 1997 CAGS (Certificate of advanced graduate studies) European graduate school, Switzerland
1996 Research seminar “Qualitative research methods in medicine” 15 hours.
1994 Research seminar “Anthropology and the body” 70 hours (3.0 academic points in the Ph.D. program at The Faculty of Medicine, UiO, Norway)
1992 – 2006 Longitudinal research project with Bosnian war refugees (14 years)
1986 Qualitative research seminar. 35 hours. Benedicte Madson
Therapeutic education and degrees
2007 Certified Group Psychotherapist in Psychodrama from the European Association fo Psychotherapy (EAP)
1998 1 year part time training ass. in music therapy with Margareta Warja.
1993 Clinical specialist in Psychiatric Nursing
1990 Registered supervisor for nurses, Norwegian Nurse Association
1991 Certified Director in Psychodrama, Group Psychotherapy and Sosiometri.
1991 4 year education in Bioenergetic Character Analysis (Alexander Lowen)
1981 – 1983 The North Charles Institute for the Addictions. Dept. of Psychiatry. Affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Completed the Addiction Treatment Internship Program.
1980 – 1982 Master of Arts in Expressive Therapy (2 years full time study) Lesley University 13 Mellen Street, Cambridge, MA. USA
1982 Awarded a honors commendation for excellence “Falling into the Body”
1975 Red Cross Nursing School, Lørenskog. Norway
1978 Graduated with RN degree.
Professional experience. Research
2007 – present. Research project on stress reducing early intervention in reception centres. The model ”EXIT” (Expressive Art in Transition) was applied.
2001 – 2007 PhD “Repatriation and Testimony”. Longitudinal study following 22 Bosnian war refugees from they arrived in Norway in 1992 until 2006, eight years after they had returned.
2004 – 2005 Research project carried out by SINTEF and NKVTS: “Det hainnle om å leve” . What activities improve the mental health of asylum seekers in refugee reception centres?
2004 – pres. Researcher 50% at NKVTS , Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Unirand, Uio, Oslo
1990 – 2003 Expressive Therapist/Head Nurse. Psychosocial Center for Refugees, University of Oslo.
Research, teaching and clinical work
1998 – 2002 Teacher and researcher at UCA (Univercidad Centro America). North-South development project between Universidad Centro America and UiO (University of Oslo, Norway).Master degree in: Violence, human rights and mental health.
1988-1990 Assistent administrator for project on the official public servant role at Ullersmo State Prison prison. Project administrator: Psychologist Jan Lanesskog. The project was prepared by the prison board (Ministry of Justice).
1991 – 1996 Group Therapy Project “Expressive Therapy with traumatised refugees living in Exile” Co-therapist:Gorden Harris MD. Supervisor: Murray Cox MD
1991 – 1994 Expressive therapy Project “Stress prevention in refugee reception centres”. Supervisor: Prof.Kirsti Malterud MD. Funding: Council of Mental Health,Oslo,Norway
1992 – 1994 Rapid screening for post-traumatic stress disorder among Bosnian war refugees. Project leader: Dr.Mette Nygård MD Supervisor: Prof.Kirsti Malterud MD. Funding: Council of Mental Health, Oslo, Norway
1996 Repatriation group with Bosnian war refugees. Funding: Halldis og Josef`legat. Council of Mental Health, Oslo, Norway
