Melissa Symington
Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
BA, Whitworth University
MA, Claremont Graduate University
MA, Fuller Seminary
MAT, Fuller Seminary
PhD, Fuller Seminary
Courses Taught
FS505: Child and Family Development
FI510 A/B: Integration Formation
FT550 C: Practicum Consultation
FR501: Research Methods
FS501 Gender and Sexuality
FT830 Advanced Seminar on Human Sexuality
Areas of Expertise
Healthy sexuality and well-being, faith and sexuality, sex therapy, integration, philosophy, mindfulness
Bio
Melissa Symington joined the faculty of Fuller’s School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy in 2022. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology and her MA in Theology from Fuller in 2004. She also holds an MA in Philosophy from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Whitworth University. Additionally, she earned a Certificate in Sex Therapy and a Certificate in Sexual Addiction Counseling from the Institute for Sexual Wholeness in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Symington’s clinical training, practice, and interests include mindfulness, integrated psychotherapy, neuroscience, psychological assessment, and sex therapy. Her therapeutic work includes treating sexual and relational issues with adult individuals and couples, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and grief and loss.
Outside of her private practice, Symington is a conference speaker, presenter, writer, and curriculum co-creator. She has served as an adjunct professor in Fuller’s Marriage and Family Therapy program since 2018. She brings her unique clinical experience as a sex therapist; a passion for teaching, training, and equipping therapists and leaders; as well as a heart for integration and interdisciplinary connections.