*In-Person Therapy

*Telehealth Therapy 

*Adults, Women, Children, Adolescents, Caregivers

I work with a lot of children and teenagers coping with life transitions and traumas such as the divorce or death of a parent. I use play therapy and individual and family sessions to help young kids and teens struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, school problems, self-injury and self-esteem issues. The side effects of trauma, depression and anxiety have an incredible toll on not only the child or teen, but on their relationship with peers and family members. I think it’s critical to address all these areas to help them live happy and productive lives.

I also enjoy working with women who are going through life transitions in their private or professional life. I try to empower and help clients explore their values, wants and needs through self-advocacy and assertiveness. I believe that each of us has our own journey and it is my job, as a therapist, to help people identify their needs, find their purpose and explore life goals. I believe that we all have the ability to better ourselves throughout our lifetime and challenge ourselves to truly become authentic human beings. I believe in the power of mindfulness in what we say and do and how we interact with the world around us and the people within it.

Grief counseling is another area that I work extensively on with people. This includes not only the death of a loved one, but also the grieving of other traumas such as divorce, relationship loss and the significant grief that accompanies being a caregiver. I have a special interest in working with caregivers as they navigate taking care of ill spouses, children or family members. I believe this is an under-treated and often forgotten population. I strive to provide caregivers with an understanding of their emotions and thoughts and provide a safe place where they can be heard, understood and nurtured.

I work with adults living an alternative lifestyle/kink and provide an outlet for them to talk about their struggles and challenges they face in the vanilla world.

I believe that understanding and coming to terms with our past is an important piece in the choices that we make today. And that people have an amazing ability to be resilient and create the life they want by understanding the past but not allowing it to control their present. I strive to create an environment where patients feel safe and understood. A place where they can be educated on their issues such as depression or anxiety and the symptoms that accompany them. I believe in the importance of having a well balanced life and the power of using healthy coping skills. I strive to help people identify, explore and expand their positive ones while replacing their negative ones. It’s important to me to equip clients with coping skills they can use outside the office so they can create better and more fulfilling lives for themselves.

Individual grief and loss therapy

As a counselor I offer services to adolescents through to adults. I am trained as a Family Counselor and work with multi-generational issues as well as couples. I am certified in Hypnotherapy as well as being trained in EMDR. I have over 20 years of experience as a therapist. I work with clients on issues from grief and trauma to depression and anxiety. My philosophy is; I journey with my clients to help them find better health, peace and happiness.

Melissa McGinnis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Melissa holds a Master’s of Social Work degree from Michigan State University.  She also earned a Bachelor’s of Social Work with a Minor in US Multicultural Relations from Ferris State University.

Melissa is experienced in medical and mental health.  She is a Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider and specializes in helping individuals with chronic disease that result from years of unhealthy lifestyle choices, genetic factors and stress.  Melissa has over 20 years of experience working from a multidisciplinary approach in both an acute and clinic-based hospital setting.  She sees the importance of integrating various aspects of the biopsychosocial model when it comes to the treatment process.  This includes but not limited to physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual health.

Melissa enjoys working with individuals from early adulthood to late adulthood.  She is also experienced in helping individuals with mood disorders, anxiety, women’s health, parenthood, couples issues as well as common life stressors and transitions.  Melissa believes that every person and situation is different.  She believes that understanding where one is coming from and where one wants to go is the main priority.  Melissa’s approach is strength based, collaborative and is shaped to meet the needs of each client.

I concentrate in serving older adults, adults who have a serious medical condition, family caregivers, and adults who are grieving.

I serve all of Illinois via telehealth.

Home visits are available within a geographic area from my office in Kane County, Illinois.