About Me

I’m Dr. Melissa Hagan, a California‑licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor at San Francisco State University, where I direct the Stress, Trauma, & Resilience Lab. Prior to getting my PhD in clinical science, I earned an MPH in epidemiology, with a focus on understanding the unmet need for trauma-informed services. For as long as I can remember, I've been driven to understand and support healing and thriving in the context of trauma, loss or chronic stress.

Over the past 15+ years, my clinical experience, teaching activities and research program have centered on mitigating the effects of stress on the brain and body.​ I have published more than 80 peer-reviewed studies on stress, trauma, resilience and mental health, and this work has informed my clinical practice.