Melissa Koontz
----- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
(she/her/hers)
Melissa Koontz, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, is passionate about treating adolescents, young adults, and adults with various mental health concerns. She specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, eating disorders, body image, anxiety and stress, trauma, relationships and attachment issues, and life transitions. She emphasizes the importance of a safe and collaborative relationship with the client, and hopes to empower her clients to take meaningful steps towards change.
Areas of Expertise
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Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Negative Body image, Trauma Recovery, OCD, Self Esteem, and general stress management
A note from Melissa
I truly believe in the power of therapy, and even more, the power of a trusting and non-judgmental relationship. That is what I aim to create for my clients. I feel honored to do the work that I do and to learn from my clients every day. As a therapist, I get to combine my strengths of curiosity, understanding, and authenticity, with strategic thinking and perspective taking. I would describe my approach as warm, collaborative, and creative. Therapy can look so many different ways, and I encourage my clients to show up as their authentic selves in the therapy space! In my spare time, I enjoy teaching and practicing yoga, learning new things, spending time with loved ones, traveling, and biking around the city!
Melissa takes the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support clients in broadening their perspective of how they can commit to a valued life. In session, Melissa utilizes mindfulness techniques and meditation to help clients experience shifts in the nervous system and practice mind body techniques to support healing. She believes that understanding the somatic experience of emotions is integral to healing and emphasizes the importance of mind-body integration. Melissa also integrates approaches such as DBT, MB-CBT, and Exposure & Response Prevention, as well as creative interventions that support each individual client. Melissa’s goal is to support clients in better understanding themselves with a compassionate lens, and building self trust as they learn skills to support their mental health.
Melissa received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. She has worked in several settings, including a PHP adolescent mood program, RTC/PHP/IOP for adults and adolescents with eating disorders, and private practice.
While her office is located in downtown Chicago next to Millenium park for in-person sessions, she also welcomes and serves clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy.