Melissa received her Master’s in Education and Community Counseling from Loyola University in Chicago in 1995, and her Master’s of Social
Work degree from Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago in 2003. Melissa utilizes a strength-based approach to build relationships,
providing a safe space and authentic connections working collaboratively with clients to achieve their short-term and long-term
goals. Melissa is an experienced clinician working with children, adolescents, adults, and families from diverse socioeconomic, racial and
LGBTQIA+ communities. Melissa has worked in residential treatment centers, was a school social worker for 10 years, and has worked in
outpatient mental health centers. She joined Compass Tree Counseling in 2019 and enjoys working with college students, adults, children, and
adolescents.
Melissa uses an integrative approach drawing on different theoretical approaches to meet each client’s individual needs including Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Solution-Focused, Play Therapy, Sand-Tray, Mindfulness, and Body-Based trauma informed interventions.
Experience with, but not limited to:
- Adults, College Students, Children and Adolescents
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship Concerns
- Behavior issues
- Family of origin issues
- LGBTQIA+
- School issues
- Physical/Sexual Abuse
- Autism
Certifications and trainings:
- Melissa has been trained in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Play Therapy