About Melissa
Melissa McHenry is a licensed counselor with 23 years of experience helping people manage stress and anxiety. She speaks plainly and aims to create a respectful, sensitive space. She encourages anyone who feels overwhelmed to take the first step toward support.
Melissa holds a master’s degree in adult psychology and a master’s degree in child psychology. Her work has included support for people dealing with relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, and self-esteem struggles.
Background and approach
She has also helped people affected by PTSD, domestic violence, and self-injurious behavior. In sessions she adapts the conversation and plan to each person’s needs. That means practical, focused talking and agreed-on steps to try between meetings.
She aims to be direct while remaining compassionate and respectful. Melissa draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address mood concerns, coping with life changes, career stress, and concerns related to sexual orientation. Her approach is collaborative - she works with the person to set goals and check progress.
Her practice in Illinois combines short-term coping tools with longer-term work when needed. People can expect clear discussion of goals, coping strategies to use day to day, and adjustments over time as needs change.
Evidence-based approaches for online care
Melissa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that emphasize practical skills and clear goals. One common approach focuses on teaching coping skills and stress management - it helps people reduce immediate anxiety by learning breathing, grounding, and activity planning. Another approach emphasizes processing trauma in a paced way so memories and reactions become less overwhelming; that work often pairs safety-building with gradual exposure to triggers.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and preferences. Plans are adjusted over time based on what helps in everyday life.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video lets people use face-to-face conversation, phone can work when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. This variety makes it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other schedules while keeping the focus on practical progress.
Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
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What is her background and experience?
What credentials and location are listed?
Which languages are supported and are international sessions possible?
In what formats are sessions offered?
How are costs handled for sessions?
What are the steps to begin working together?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also listed
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- LGBT
- Self esteem
- Experience
- 23 years
- Licensed
- Illinois, Missouri
- Languages
- English
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