Melisa R. Canuto, LICSW joined Casa Esperanza, Inc., as Director of Behavioral Health in 2017 and now serves as Chief Clinical Officer. In addition to her role at Casa, she holds positions at Boston Children’s Hospital Emergency Psychiatry Department, Brigham and Woman’s Social Work Department, Cambridge Health Alliance and a surveyor for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Before joining Casa, she worked at YouthConnect, a program of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston in partnership with the Boston Police Department. Her extensive clinical experiences have included supporting high-risk youth/young adults, providing therapy services/case management, supporting families in connecting to service for their child’s mental health needs after a comprehensive assessment, providing trauma response and care coordination to patient and families and supporting clients with navigating state agency involvement.
Melisa manages implementation and practical application of Casa’s Integrated Care Model and oversees programming, services, and staffing at Familias Unidas Outpatient Clinic and also provides oversight for Casa’s Residential Recovery programs and all clinical staff. She has an interest in working with marginalized communities and advocating for social justice. Outside of Casa, she is known for hiking, nature walks, and spending time with family.
Melisa holds a degree BS from Lesley University and MSW from Boston College. She is certified in the following: Post- Masters Clinical Certificate Program in the Relational and Multi-Contextual Treatment of Trauma, Psychological First Aid, Developing Nurturing Families and Communities, Clinical Supervision in Behavioral Health. Currently servers on Boston College School of Social Work Alumni Board and Co- Chair for the Awards Committee through National Association of Social Workers – MA chapter.
