Melissa Carlson Counseling

Melissa Carlson Counseling Group private practice offering telehealth sessions in addition to in-person offices in Algonquin, IL. Our therapists see children, teens & adults.

Culturally-competent, trauma-informed talk therapy, play therapy, & EMDR.

Come meet Alyssa & I at the Women’s Empowerment Fair Tuesday, March 24 10-1 PM Elgin Community College, Main Campus, Bui...
03/20/2026

Come meet Alyssa & I at the Women’s Empowerment Fair Tuesday, March 24 10-1 PM Elgin Community College, Main Campus, Building B

Discover women-owned businesses and women-led organizations in our local community! Celebrate and support local femme leaders by shopping and networking with them. From handmade art to professional services, there’s something for everyone! Participating Organizations: American Association of University Women BIDA Baking Co Blue Stone Healing Books Community Crisis Center Elevate Coaching & Consulting Funky Rooster Tattoo and Art Gallery Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Go with the Flow Head To Toe Blessing Ivette De Santiago League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area Luna Behavioral Health Center Melissa Carlson Counseling Nicki Fortunati-Warren PADS of Elgin Radically Rachael Sacred Spirit Bodyworks Side Street Studio Arts Simplifying Therapy StayWell Home Care Tcreativ Designs Teaching Therapy The Funky Brush and Palette This Girls Story Students who attend the event can also receive a free customizable hat from Tricky Lids!

Happy 3 Year Anniversary Danielle Keys, LCPC🎉 Danielle works with couples & families to help them build effective commun...
03/16/2026

Happy 3 Year Anniversary Danielle Keys, LCPC🎉 Danielle works with couples & families to help them build effective communication & action skills to enhance their ways of relating to & interacting with one another to build healthier relationships.

Danielle also has a passion for working with students with autistic traits & ADHD; helping them to raise their self-esteem and build a life they find less stressful.

Additionally Danielle specializes in clients with a history of trauma, issues with anger, anxiety, depression, persons with disabilities, domestic violence, and LGBTQ concerns. Danielle is open about being legally-blind.

Danielle is in-network with BCBS, Aetna, UHC/Optum, USHIP (UChicago), UCHSR (NIU) Insurance & Loveland Foundation vouchers are accepted. only. To learn more about Danielle & inquire about her availability please visit www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-danielle

Happy 2 Year Anniversary Josh Symbal, LPC 🎉 Josh has a special interest in athletes & mental strength in athletic perfor...
03/13/2026

Happy 2 Year Anniversary Josh Symbal, LPC 🎉 Josh has a special interest in athletes & mental strength in athletic performance. Josh also works with teens & adults struggling with depression, anxiety, executive functioning, and personal loss. To read more about Josh & check availability visit www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-josh

BCBS, Blue Choice, United Healthcare/Optum, Cigna/Evernorth, & NIU student insurance accepted.

Happy 4 Year Anniversary Rebecca Oller, MSW🎉 Rebecca works with children, teens, & adults with a primary focus in ADHD, ...
03/12/2026

Happy 4 Year Anniversary Rebecca Oller, MSW🎉 Rebecca works with children, teens, & adults with a primary focus in ADHD, behavioral concerns, anxiety, depression, grief, & family therapy. To read more about Rebecca & to request an appointment visit www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-rebecca

Evening appointments available. BCBS, Blue Choice, United Healthcare/Optum, Cigna/Evernorth, & NIU student insurance accepted.

Accepting new clients! Melia Carter, MSW, sees our youngest clients age 3-12 in the Algonquin office. Melia specializes ...
03/12/2026

Accepting new clients! Melia Carter, MSW, sees our youngest clients age 3-12 in the Algonquin office. Melia specializes in autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, situational mutism, behavioral concerns in children, as well as parenting concerns. To read more about Melia & to request an appointment visit www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-melia

Evening & Saturday appointments. BCBS, Blue Choice, United Healthcare/Optum, Cigna/Evernorth, & NIU student insurance accepted.

03/10/2026

“When you want to quit, go deeper.” My yoga teacher said that this morning and it made me think of something I see in therapy.

Often someone makes a decision to start therapy because they want to change something (a situation or how they’re feeling, behaving, etc) and maybe the first few sessions are them outlining “the problem.” The therapist may begin to point out some patterns, the client may began to make some connections, and then things start to get uncomfortable.

We don’t like to uncomfortable, right? So clients may be wishing for the therapist to tell them how to fix their problem or to tell them someone else is the problem. But things only really start to change when you go deeper. When you learn to sit in the discomfort. When you don’t quit.

That is where you find your strength. Where you see your resilience, and your courage, and your ability for change.

🤎Melissa

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03/08/2026

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Weekend check in 🫶🏽 So many of us are feeling the heaviness of the world right now; whether it’s the never ending Nation...
02/28/2026

Weekend check in 🫶🏽 So many of us are feeling the heaviness of the world right now; whether it’s the never ending National news or challenges closer to home, you are not alone. And, this is your reminder that’s it’s ok to feel joy too. It’s ok - necessary - look for the good things, to feel gratitude, to take care of yourself. If that feels impossible, if it’s getting harder and harder to hold that weight, please reach out for support:

📲 call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing a crisis 24/7/365
☎️ call 800-950-6264 NAMI Helpline for mental health support M-F
💻 visit https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/contact to get connected with one of our therapists. **Inquiries will be responded to within 48 hours M-F - please use 988 if you are in crisis**

🩷Melissa

I’ve been trying to think of something to write in response to the vile information unfolding and being shared across ne...
02/07/2026

I’ve been trying to think of something to write in response to the vile information unfolding and being shared across news networks and social media. Perhaps it shouldn’t be so shocking as survivors have been speaking out regarding their abuse for a long time, but the truth revealed in chilling detail and discussed in predatory emails - but shared so casually across our screens - is traumatic. I have no magic words but I need those who are exposed to these reports - even briefly - to understand the impact on their mental health.

Therapists & First Responders know this as vicarious trauma - a result of being exposed to or engaging with detailed stories of violence, including sexual assault. You may experience symptoms similar to PTSD such as intrusive or reoccurring thoughts or imagery, difficulty sleeping, irritability, anxiety, or depression.

Please, please take care of yourselves. You don’t need to read or engage with every piece of information you come across. You honor the survivors by believing them and being strong in the conviction that they deserve justice.

Limit your exposure to traumatic details, distance yourself from those who are causing you harm with their response (or lack of response) to the reporting, eat well, sleep, move your body, go to therapy, spend time with friends & family who are comfortable to be around.

Take care of yourselves,
💜Melissa

As of January 19 every therapist at our practice is in-network with NIU’s student health insurance policy. If you or a l...
01/13/2026

As of January 19 every therapist at our practice is in-network with NIU’s student health insurance policy. If you or a loved one is enrolled at Northern Illinois University and did not opt out of the required health insurance, you will automatically be enrolled with UHCSR insurance. In-network copays are $10 per session for either telehealth or in-office services.

Go Huskies! 🐾
♥️Melissa

Complete an inquiry form for more information or to schedule an appointment www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/contact

For more information on student health insurance www.niu.edu/health-services/insurance/

I heard something the other day that I keep thinking about: “Most people are uncommitted but are really attached to the ...
01/12/2026

I heard something the other day that I keep thinking about: “Most people are uncommitted but are really attached to the result.”

While that can be applied to many “results” we are looking for, I will focus on mental wellness. Whatever it is you are wanting - decreased anxiety, increased mood, overcoming trauma, healing your inner child, feeling empowered in your parenting - it will take work. Commitment. Consistency. Self reflection. Honesty. Time.

If you’re attached to the result - a truer version of yourself - be prepared to embrace the journey.

🤍Melissa

Address

2200 Huntington Drive N
Algonquin, IL
60102

Telephone

+18155165001

Website

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