Dr. Mary J. Malek is a clinical psychologist specializing in helping individuals, families, employees and organizations learn new skills to better cope with life, transform relationships, achieve personal goals, and realize lifelong dreams.

Dr. Malek began her career with a focus on psychological health in medical settings, and has brought many clients new hope in coping with chronic illnesses, traumatic injuries, dementia, and debilitating health conditions. She is the author of many articles on coping with illness, and is a recognized speaker on related issues. She has also worked as a consultant to nursing homes regarding the issues facing elderly individuals and their families.

More recently Dr. Malek has expanded her work to individual, family and corporate behavioral issues.  As co-facilitator of equine-facilitated corporate team development, she has spearheaded advancements in the use of horses as powerful tools in facilitating personal growth, learning, and behavior modification. In conjunction with other colleagues in her field, she conducts women's leadership workshops across the Midwest region.

In addition to leading equine-facilitated growth and learning workshops, Dr. Malek owns and operates Healing Space, LLC a private practice and healing center in Twinsburg, Ohio.  She is also Adjunct Instructor of Behavioral Sciences at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), specializing in helping medical students develop empathic bedside manner and manage the interpersonal aspect of medicine more “humanly”. 

Dr. Malek has been instrumental in the development of a mentoring program for newly licensed psychologists in the state of Ohio. Her love of both people and animals has spurred her interest in mentoring young women through a national organization that supports people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  She was a forerunner of animal therapy, having conducted some of the earliest research on the effectiveness of using handicapped support dogs.

Dr. Malek is deeply committed to helping create a stronger sense of community at a local level.  She volunteers as a 4-H advisor and a member of the Portage County Bridges out of Poverty steering committee.  She is also a graduate of Leadership Portage County (class of '08).

Dr. Malek holds PhD in clinical psychology from Kent State University.  She is a member of the Ohio Psychological Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors.