About Melissa Stone, PhD
​Integrated Attachment Coach
​Dr. Melissa Stone first learned about attachment theory in 2007. After a divorce, she realized how much she was still reacting to her attachment style in her romantic life through the expression of particular beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviors that she was not consciously choosing. In 2021, she began studying Integrated Attachment Theory (IAT) in earnest and began the rewarding journey toward becoming "earned secure". She received her coaching certification in early 2025, and soon after created Attachment Pathway Coaching, AttachmentPathway.com and the Attachment Pathway Podcast -available on Spotify and Podcast Addict.
​About Integrated Attachment coaching Melissa says: "I am in love with it!"
"Professionally, for 20+ years, I studied many systems, theories and practices and worked with thousands of individuals and groups in conflict in 10+ countries. Thus, I am familiar with a variety of approaches and techniques to human development and change. What I did not know until I started using the Integrated Attachment Theory approach to learn about and revise my own attachment issues was that it could be such a game-changer in my personal life.
"For several years in my adult life, I just didn't understand why my romantic relationships had the same dynamics again and again that led to the dissatisfaction of one or both partners. When I took a closer look at those dynamics through the lens of attachment theory, I could finally see how the dance-like interplay between partners happens, and that my contribution to the mix was up to me to change. My early life attachment issues had been coloring my vision, like I had been wearing blue-colored glasses all my life. Thus, I could not see the blueness of the sky until I took off the blue glasses. Suddenly I could see the true colors of the sky and everything else around me, too."​
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"So, if you are still 'under the influence' of early life attachment issues and believe they are negatively impacting your current relationships, you have two choices: (1) take the wheel in your hands and consciously steer your contributions to your needs and your romantic life mindfully, carefully and lovingly; or (2) let go of the wheel altogether and see what happens to you and the car when the vehicle of your life steers itself. The difference will be stunning. The choice is yours."
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In addition to the PhD degree in Transformative Learning and Systems of Human Change (2004), Melissa has a Master's Degree in Human and Organizational Transformation (2001) from the School of Consciousness and Transformation at the California Institute of Integral Studies; a Bachelor's (1985) and Master's (1997) in Russian and Soviet Studies from the University of Virginia. She also has earned certificates in Generative Leadership (2014), Principles of Public Health (2017), and Integrated Attachment Theory (2025).
She applied many of these studies to her 15+ years of work abroad human rights advising and managing programs in conflict-prone countries including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kosovo, Liberia, Mongolia, Russia, Sierra Leone, Ukraine and Uzbekistan; and 15+ more years of work on civil rights and liberties and public interest advising in the US. She is also a human resources professional specializing in talent recruitment and development, and a coach for individuals and groups seeking guidance and support for applying Integrated Attachment Theory in interpersonal as well as professional relationships.