Melissa Forte

Hi There!

My name is Melissa I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master's Degree from Lewis University. My background encompasses many different areas to include the mental health field, educational academic and career performance, corporate business and training, and EAP. I have 11 years in K-12 and higher education counseling and teaching experience as well as over 15 years in corporate business. My passion and vast experience in all of these settings and now within the clinical mental health setting for almost 10 years is how I thrive to assist all individuals in achieving complete satisfaction and success in all aspects of life!

I love with working individuals from young adulthood as well as adults as they become well rounded, healthy human beings as they struggle with relationship issues, anxiety and stress, depression, self esteem, healthy boundaries, parenting concerns, and family conflict. Guiding all individuals, from youth to adulthood, towards the healthiest path in all self care domains is my goal!

Being client-centered and focused on unconditional positive regard, my strong skills of empathy, rapport, and non-judgement are what I strive for in a successful therapeutic relationship. As I support you on your journey, be assured in knowing I am here to listen, connect, and provide you with the healthiest direction in order to reach your goals and your highest potential!

Setting goals for therapy in the first session is primary albeit concrete coping skills, tasks, or simply active listening skills and support. We are in this together as you guide your own treatment goals and success. My approach in my 18 years experience surrounds Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Response Therapy, Rational Emotive-Behavioral Therapy (REBT), among others. Ultimately, we will decide together what works best for you.

Depending upon goals set and the clients most comfortable approach to therapy, every client can expect to leave each session with a take away and plan to implement for the next session. If the client is simply interested in working through their own thoughts and emotions and that is enough, then that will be what occurs. I am here to guide each client in what works best for them, meet their own goals for therapy and continue to grow and succeed throughout the process.