Melissa Kester's Schools

• California School of professional Psychology MS in Psychology

Melissa Kester's Publications

• The Triple Crown (horse racing), Melissa Kester February, 2011 An accomplished communications consultant and former clinical psychologist in Northern California, Melissa Kester enjoys horseback riding in her free time. In the world of competitive thoroughbred horse racing, one feat stands apart from the rest: the Triple Crown. To win the Triple Crown, a horse must win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year. Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown since 1875, and none since the horse Affirmed captured the title in 1978. The first race in the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, is a 1.25 mile track at Churchill Downs, Kentucky. Commonly referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby usually boasts the highest attendance of any horse race in the country. First run in 1875, the Kentucky Derby was the brainchild of Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., grandson of William Clark from the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Kentucky Derby has established a number of long-standing traditions since its inauguration, including the drinking of mint juleps, wearing of elaborate hats, and the awarding of 554 red roses to the winner. The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is a nearly 1.5 mile race held in Baltimore, Maryland. Second only to the Kentucky Derby in terms of attendance, the Preakness held its first race in 1873. Although the Preakness occasionally took place before the Kentucky Derby during its early years, the race has taken place after the Derby every year since 1931. The winner of the Preakness receives a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, the official state flower of Maryland. The final race in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is a 1.5 mile race first run in 1867. Commonly referred to as the “Test of the Champion,” thanks to its status as the final race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is a notoriously challenging course for three-year-old horses. The large size of the track makes positioning and timing a challenge for jockeys, and stamina a challenge for horses.

• Depression and Children’s Approaches to Problem-Solving By Melissa Kester, Melissa Kester March, 2011 By Melissa Kester Since researchers have only recently begun studying clinical depression among younger populations, we still need to devote much attention to the repercussions of this condition in children. While studying for my Doctor of Philosophy at the California Professional School of Psychology in Los Angeles, I researched the effect that depression has on a child’s problem-solving orientation, meaning the way that he or she approaches a problem. All individuals must choose whether they handle a problem with an emotional, behavioral, or cognitive approach. In order to analyze the effects of depression on problem-solving orientation in youth, I analyzed children’s stories using the Robert Apperception Test for Children (RATC). The 134 test scores I studied included a depressive disorder group, a normal control group, and a clinical control group. During my research, I examined the children’s narratives for specific characteristics, including problem identification, problem resolution, and problem-solving skills. From the RATC tests that I collected, I noticed that depressed children exhibit a more negative problem-solving orientation than both control groups. The depressed group’s stories included fewer instances of problem solving by cooperation between two parties. Their stories also exhibited a higher number of unresolved problems or even unidentified problems. Throughout my analyses, I also noticed an inverse correlation between solved problems and the inclusion of social support. This may suggest that children who understand and appreciate the power of collaboration are more likely to approach problems believing that they will find a solution. My study implies that depressed children may benefit from psychological treatment that emphasizes social problem-solving techniques and approaches. By building a child’s reliance on others and confidence in teamwork, we may fundamentally alter the way in which the child views problems in the world. To read the dissertation that I wrote about my research concerning problem-solving orientation in depressed children, please visit MelissaKester.org

• The Oliver Ranch Foundation, Melissa Kester October, 2011 Previously working as a Development Associate for the Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC), I was involved in strategic positioning of arts programs throughout the county, undertaking fundraising, awareness-raising, and public advocacy initiatives. I was also closely involved with the creation of the Oliver Ranch Foundation. The story behind Oliver Ranch is an interesting and inspiring one. Located 70 miles north of San Francisco in Geyserville, the 100-acre Oliver Ranch is situated among oak-dotted rolling hills and vineyards. Purchased by Steve and Nancy Oliver in 1981 as land for sheep to graze in, the ranch eventually became part of Sonoma’s organic food movement. The Olivers raised lamb for Bay Area restaurants, and from the mid-1980s on, they courted sculptural artists in creating site-responsive works for the property. The first installation was Judith Shea’s 1985 “Shepherd’s Muse,” and over the years, dozens of other sculptures followed. Artists were notably given full creative freedom with their work. Sculptures installed over the decades include those by Richard Serra, Roger Berry, and Bruce Nauman. In the 1990s, Steve Oliver served on the board of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. As a supplement to this, the Olivers offered guided tours of the property, providing a novel fundraising avenue for the museum. Since that time, property tours have been given away to benefit numerous nonprofit organizations, which have offered them as auction items in fundraisers. In 2007, a cylindrical tower that houses a spiral staircase was developed. This serves as a dedicated art space for the ranch, with grants extended to artists creating site-specific performance pieces. The Oliver Ranch Foundation was established in 2009 as a partnership between Steve and Nancy Oliver and the Community Foundation Sonoma County. Designed to extend the Olivers’ vision in perpetuity, the Foundation ensures that Oliver Ranch will remain in local hands. The legacy plan has a total value of $25 million, with half representing art, and half endowment funds. As many as 40 tours are offered at the Oliver Ranch on an annual basis, and I recommend them to any Sonoma County resident or area visitor with an interest in the arts. About the Author: A writer of freelance screenplays, Melissa Kester worked with the Community Foundation Sonoma County from 2005 to 2011.

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