Melissa Harper
I am a licensed clinical professional counselor who has seven years of private practice experience. I have a Masters of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University. I've had the privilege of helping individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, traumatic stress disorder, varying mood and behavioral disorders and life transition. As a certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, I support individuals through the often complex emotional landscape of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. These seasons can bring profound changes—and sometimes, unexpected emotional challenges. It’s important to know that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common, treatable, and not your fault.
My role is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space, offer clinical guidance, and work alongside you as we explore challenges, build on your strengths, and help you make meaningful changes over time.
You are not alone, and you can feel like yourself again. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way of your peace—whether it’s overwhelming stress, sadness, intrusive thoughts, or the mental load of balancing it all. With evidence-based therapy, compassion, and a collaborative spirit, we’ll build strategies that help you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in this chapter of your life. Therapy is a collaborative process. My role is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space, offer clinical guidance, and work alongside you as we explore challenges, build on your strengths, and help you make meaningful changes over time.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about what's been happening in your life, what prompted you to seek support now, and what you're hoping to gain from our work together. I'll likely ask questions about your current concerns, your personal history, relationships, mental and physical health, and any previous experiences with therapy. You're always welcome to share at your own pace. If there are topics you're not ready to discuss, that's okay—we can come back to them when you feel comfortable. We'll also review practical information such as confidentiality, its legal and ethical limits, scheduling, cancellation policies, and any questions you have about the therapy process. By the end of the session, we'll begin identifying your goals for therapy and discuss how we might work together to help you move toward them. While some people leave the first session feeling relieved or hopeful, others may feel emotionally tired or uncertain. All of those reactions are normal.
Strengths
I bring a diverse background and work experience. As someone who considers themselves as dual-culture, I understand the identity difficulties that come with being an immigrant or coming from an immigrant family. I also have ten years of working in the Human Resources field which allows me to support individual struggling with work related stressors. I have also experienced my own fertility issues and traumatic pregnancy and labor experiences. Those experiences has helped me realize the importance of supporting parents n ways that matter.
Ideal clients
Whatever season brought you here — a new baby, an old wound, or a life that quietly stopped feeling like yours — you don’t have to sort it out by yourself. Perinatal and relationship struggles; as well as generational patterns aren't signs that you’re failing. They’re exactly the kind of thing I’m trained and personally moved to help you work through. When you’re ready, I would be glad to walk alongside you.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
We will explore how thinking patterns impact how you feel and what decisions you make. Negative thinking patterns can impact self esteem, self confidence ; as well as how we show up in different areas of our life.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Instead of trying to fight, alter, or eliminate unwanted thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches you to accept them as a normal part of the human experience and commit to actions guided by your core personal values. Essentially, just because you have a thought or feeling does not mean they are reality.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- IllinoisLicense 180018643