Katherine H. Melton, M.A.

A Maryland native, Ms. Melton received her B.A. in Psychology from Greensboro College in North Carolina and has worked in the field of substance use treatment since 2013. She earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2019 and completed her clinical addiction licensure while providing intensive outpatient services in community mental health. Ms. Melton specializes in evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, with focused attention to complex, underserved populations. Her affinity for research was prompted by her direct clinical experience and dedication to meaningful treatment outcomes.

Ms. Melton joined FRI as a Research Coordinator to work with Drs. Schwartz, Gryczynski, and Monico on a NIDA sponsored study through the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN), a research program supported by the NIH HEAL Initiative. This multi-site, randomized trial compares the effectiveness of two FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder among adults with criminal justice system involvement. This study aligns with Ms. Melton’s long-term research goals to further investigate practices, interventions, and therapeutic modalities that best serve marginalized individuals with substance use and complex trauma histories.