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Melissa Shepard MD

About

Melissa Shepard, MD, is a practicing medical doctor and board-certified psychiatrist. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Hospital where she served as Chief Resident, and she has received multiple awards for scholarship, teaching, and compassionate patient care.

She does psychotherapy and medication management via telehealth for clients in Maryland and North Carolina in her private practice. She also holds an Assistant Professorship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences where she is involved in research and resident education. She has published research on the neuropsychiatric changes seen in neurodegenerative disorders, and has given several invited lectures and co-authored textbooks, commentary, and medical school curriculum on psychiatric disease. She is passionate about reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and is active on YouTube (Melissa Shepard, MD), Instagram (@mshepard_md) and TikTok (@doctorshepard_md). She also blogs and teaches on her website at www.drmelissashepard.com.

Recent Posts
Is It Stress or Something More?
Most of us are feeling stressed these days, but sometimes that stress transforms into a mental health condition. Here's how to tell when you need to seek help.
Why Is Social Distancing So Hard?
Loneliness is a contributing factor to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Here are five ways to deal with isolation during the pandemic.
Broken Heart on a Wire
Are You Dating a Narcissist?
Relationships can be challenging enough, but if one partner has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, it can be incredibly tough to manage.
Daily Grind
Reaching Your Goals When Motivation Lets You Down

Relying on motivation to meet your goals will often leave you disappointed. Here are two simple strategies you can use to make progress instead.

Relying on motivation to meet your goals will often leave you disappointed. Here are two simple strategies you can use to make progress instead.

The author wearing personal protective equipment before a patient encounter.
How to Combat Mask Anxiety

If wearing a face mask has increased your anxiety, here are a couple easy ways to cope.

If wearing a face mask has increased your anxiety, here are a couple easy ways to cope.

Computer generated image of COVID-19 under electron microscopy
Controlling Coronavirus Anxiety

Are you feeling anxious about the coronavirus crisis? If so, you are not alone. Here are some tips to help you cope.

Are you feeling anxious about the coronavirus crisis? If so, you are not alone. Here are some tips to help you cope.

Understanding Intrusive Thoughts

Have you ever had the unexpected urge to jump from a bridge or other high place? If so, you are far from alone.

Have you ever had the unexpected urge to jump from a bridge or other high place? If so, you are far from alone.

18 Ways to Build Mental Wellness

Just like we have to work to care for our physical health, our mental health also requires upkeep. Here are a few simple things you can do to stay well.

Just like we have to work to care for our physical health, our mental health also requires upkeep. Here are a few simple things you can do to stay well.

Feeling Bummed This Winter?

Feeling blue this winter? A few small changes can help.

Feeling blue this winter? A few small changes can help.