Melissa Bonnell, Ph.D.

Melissa Bonnell, Ph.D., is an Affiliate Psychologist with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Associates of Denver. Dr. Bonnell specializes in delivering evidence-based psychotherapies to adults with sleep and stress disorders, anxiety, panic, trauma, adjustment issues, depression, OCD, chronic pain management and health issues, mood disorders, obesity and tinnitus. Dr. Bonnell is also an expert in chronic pain management focused on reducing emotional stress, increasing confidence for self-management strategies, and returning clients to work and desired activities. Her compassionate approach focuses on efficiency to improve overall functioning and quality of life.

Dr. Bonnell has an extensive skill set in evidence-based psychotherapies with diverse populations. She is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), Behavioral Activation (BA), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP).

Dr. Bonnell received her undergraduate degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia and went on to earn her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). She completed internship and fellowship training at the New Orleans Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center where she specialized in Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology. Dr. Bonnell was an annually invited speaker for the Louisiana Bar Association providing skills training, stress management techniques, and work-life balance tools to attorneys, judges, and Board Members. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.

Publications and Presentations

Bonnell, M. (2019, March). Conducting Pre-Surgical Pain Evaluations. Presentation presented to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Psychology Internship Program didactics series.

Bonnell, M. (2019, March). Writing clinical impressions. Presentation presented to the 460th Medical Group Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, CO.

Leonhard, C., Bonnell, M., Chapman, R., & Reuther, E. (2017, June). Evolving role of health psychology within interprofessional/medical environments. Panel presentation to the Louisiana Psychological Association Annual Convention, Kenner, LA.

Bonnell, M. A. (2017, June). Chronic pain and assessing opioid misuse. Presentation presented to the Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services' Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology didactic training sessions.

Bonnell, M. A. (2017, March). Talking to patients about self-management strategies: Complementary and alternative (CAM) treatments for chronic pain. Presentation presented to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Psychology Internship Program didactics series.

Bonnell, M. & McAbee, J. (2016, December). Balancing the scale: Equilibrium in work-life. Presentation presented to the Louisiana State Bar Association The Pursuit of Balance: Life & Law Seminar, New Orleans, LA.

Bonnell, M. & McAbee, J. (2016, September). Developing an action plan for positive post- disaster adjustment. Presentation presented to the Louisiana State Bar Association Disaster Recovery CLE, Baton Rouge, LA.

Slaton, K. D. & Bonnell, M. (2016, June). Three behaviors = four disease processes = 50% of all mortality: How to help patients change the big three. Presentation presented to the Louisiana Primary Care Association 3rd Clinical Summit, New Orleans, LA.

Bonnell, M. (2015, December). Striving for work/life balance. Presentation presented to the Louisiana State Bar Association The Pursuit of Balance: Life & Law Seminar, New Orleans, LA.

Bumgarner, D. B., Polinsky, E. J., Herman, K. G., Fordiani, J. M., Lewis, C. P., Hansen, S. K., Cardin, S. A. (2017). Mental Healthcare for rural veterans: A systematic literature review, descriptive analysis, and future directions. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 41(3), 222 - 233.

Madson, M. B., Moorer, K. D., Zeigler-Hill, V., Bonnell, M. A., & Villarosa, M. (2013). Alcohol expectancies, protective behavioral strategies, and alcohol-related outcomes: A moderated mediation study. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 20(4), 286 – 296.

Madson, M. B., Schumacher, J. A., Noble, J, J., & Bonnell, M. A. (2013). Teaching motivational interviewing to undergraduates: Evaluation of three approaches. Teaching of Psychology, 40, 242 – 245.

Madson, M. B., Schumacher, J. A., & Bonnell, M. A. (2010). Motivational interviewing and alcohol. Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal, 10, 13 – 17.