LCSW, 30 years of experience
As an experienced School Social Worker with an LCSW, I have a demonstrated history of working with children, preteens, adolescents and adults in both education and in private practice. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional. I earned both my bachelors and my masters degrees in social work, I have been committed to working with children and adolescents from the start of my career. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago Jane Addams School of Social Work. I am always working to grow and improve my practice by researching, finding and providing effective supports and using the most current, best-practices in the field. Using a strengths-based approach with Cognitive Behavior Theory, Person-Centered counseling approach and the integration of other approaches, such as Solution Focused Therapy, and Positive Psychology-I work with clients to find more positive, effective social and coping skills. Through my work with clients, they can begin to see improvements in their relationships and their positive connectedness to the community. I specialize in working with clients of all ages-12 years to adulthood- who have difficulty with self-esteem, depression, trauma, anxiety, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), parenting and behavior management issues. I have a special interest in working with adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and clients/students with trauma. I assist clients to learn distress tolerance, emotion regulation and how to incorporate mindfulness and other coping strategies in order to manage their bio psycho-social environments.
In our first session I will explain the process and how I provide therapy. I will also gather information from you at your pace and we will create a plan on how to move forward together. I work very hard to make sure my clients feel comfortable and know what to expect from me. I take confidentiality very seriously and I will explain that and how you can contact me.
I specialize in working with those who have difficulty with self-esteem, trauma, depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, addiction, codependence, OCD & PTSD. I also specialize in working with clients who have experienced religious trauma. When working with individuals, couples and families, I use a Strengths-Based approach. I firmly believe you can heal and get to a better place in your life. I value every person as an individual. We will focus on your strengths together and work together to help you to overcome or manage what you are struggling with.
I work with all populations, preteen through adults. Working with educators and parents on behavior issues is a specialty of mine. Occasionally, I am paired with people who need support with concerns outside my scope of practice. I may lack the appropriate knowledge and resources to provide the ethical and competent care you deserve. Individuals actively experiencing issues with Family/Domestic Violence, sex addictions, and polyamory are encouraged to consider other clinicians. Further, I am not accepting couples or families for therapy at this time. My practice is specifically for individuals seeking support.
4 ratings with written reviews
July 8, 2025
Melissa has always been such a help to me. She is consistent, caring and supportive. I have always felt that she truly cares about me as a person. She has dedicated herself to truly getting to know me and I love meeting with and speaking to her.
March 13, 2025
Thank you. I feel better just being heard.
March 6, 2025
Melissa feels like a safe space for me. She shows authentic concern for my well being and helps me dissect my thoughts and feeling. Her guidance and advice has been extremely helpful.
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I help clients identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to emotional distress. The approach is goal-oriented and focused on present issues rather than doing a lot of exploring past experiences in depth. I often use CBT to treat clients but also am an eclectic therapist and use other modalities for working on past trauma which are listed below.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that I can use to help clients explore and understand their inner “parts,” -which are just different aspects of their personality- that may hold various emotions, beliefs, or experiences. In IFS, it is believed that every individual has many parts of themselves and these parts interact like a family system. Some parts protect the person, others hold painful emotions, and some are “exiled” or suppressed. I use IFS to help you gain self-awareness, self-compassion, and the ability to integrate your different parts which leads to emotional healing and experiencing peace.
Christian counseling is something you may choose if you are a person of faith. This type of counseling addresses not only the psychological aspects of a person but also the spiritual dimensions. We will work together to bring harmony between your mind, body, and spirit. In Christian counseling, faith-based solutions to problems are often framed within the context of your faith but Grace and new covenant principles are emphasized in my work with you. Changing your mind is what repentance means. Seeing yourself as God actially sees you which is through His Grace is the new covenant perspective. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is often used because it lines up with biblical truth. I am happy to explain that further when we meet.
You have many strengths and when we work together we will focus on what is right about you while learning the purpose for the unhealthy behavior you’ve adopted. Those unhealthy coping mechanisms are not who you are but what you do. All therapy I provide is strengths-based and through the lense of positive psychology.