Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. I received my Master's Degree more than 20 years ago and have been helping people improve their mental health ever since. I love working with women who want to overcome anxiety, depression, grief or trauma. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the most widely accepted therapy available today, to help you reframe thoughts and align your emotions with your thoughts. I help clients become the best version of themselves.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Having worked with individual adults for the past 20 years, I've developed a tried-and-true playbook for helping you (a) identify the root cause of your challenges, (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress, and (c) achieve their dreams. I am warm and supportive, helping you realize the unique and wonderful things about you while challenging emotions to help you work through your issues.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I love working with adult individuals. My clients are eager to improve but don't yet have the tools needed to make this goal a reality. They often feel stuck, overwhelmed, and anxious about their lives and careers.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I provide individual women with collaborative telehealth counseling and coaching. I will help you realize your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You'll learn how to change thoughts and behaviors to improve your mood. You'll gain motivation to change the things that are keeping you from your best life.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I will help you change from acting on emotions to basing your behavior on a combination of logic and emotions. You will learn how to change your relationship with thoughts and feelings using mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques.
Christian Counseling
For many, our faith is critically important. We can only consider change within the framework of our faith-based morals and value. I will use Biblical principles and passages, along with evidence=based techniques, to help you heal.
Compassion Focused
For my clients, compassion and empathy are at least as important as my knowledge of therapeutic methods. Your self-esteem and confidence will grow as you integrate my level of regard for you.
1 rating with written reviews
March 4, 2025
Melissa is THE BEST! I feel like I’m talking with someone who genuinely cares about me and my life trajectory. She doesn’t hesitate to say “There are other ways to accomplish XYZ with your adult children - try this”. It’s such a great feeling to leave each session with a game plan.