- Trauma and addictions
- Evidence-informed methods
- 14 years experience
About Melody
Dr. Melody Madaris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 14 years of experience. She has focused much of her career on trauma, substance abuse, and bipolar disorders, and she aims to build strong, practical working relationships with people who come for help.
She says change is rarely simple, and therapy begins by finding the places in life where change matters most. Sessions focus on identifying those targets, setting manageable steps, and keeping momentum once progress starts. The work is direct and goal-oriented while staying responsive to each person's pace.
Madaris has led programs that treat both mental health and substance use together. Her background includes managing residential and outpatient programs, a 24-hour mobile crisis program, an employee assistance program, and substance abuse prevention efforts. That administrative experience informs how she plans treatment and coordinates care when people need multiple supports.
Her approach draws on evidence-informed methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Existential Therapy. These approaches are used to address addictions, mood disorders, grief, anger, self-esteem, and other listed concerns.
People who reach out can expect straightforward discussion about goals and steps. Dr. Madaris encourages a collaborative process that combines practical skills with attention to what matters most in a person's life. She works with English-speaking clients in Illinois and accepts international clients through the platform.
To get started, follow the site prompts to complete the matching questionnaire and schedule a session according to therapist availability.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and taking action toward them, even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. It can help with depression, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing them with practical behavior changes; it is often used for mood disorders, panic, and problem behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy centers the persony encouraging open dialogue and empathy while letting the client's priorities guide the work.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences rather than pushing a single way of working. That choice can change over time as priorities shift.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, remove travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help maintain continuity of care for people in different locations, including international clients, while the therapist and client decide together how best to meet their needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
She works with a broad range of issues including addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, grief, eating and body image concerns, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is practical and collaborative, focusing on setting clear goals and helping people take concrete steps toward change. Techniques include ACT, CBT, DBT, Client-Centered, and Existential approaches.
What background does she bring to sessions?
She has 14 years of clinical experience and substantial administrative leadership running residential and outpatient programs, a mobile crisis program, and prevention efforts for co-occurring disorders.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois and practices with that credential in mind.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English for both local and international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options when scheduling to make sure they match your needs.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.