Melissa Carlson Counseling

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United States
Algonquin, IL
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.

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/

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

01/09/2026

Happy 1 year anniversary Kevin Maraizu, LCPC! A graduate of Adler University, Kevin has extensive experience helping adolescents & adults manage challenges like depression, anxiety, anger, and stress in addition to men’s issues, anger management, & racial identity issues. Kevin integrates evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, existential therapy, motivational interviewing, and client-centered techniques.

Kevin is currently accepting new clients and has evening availability. To learn more about working with Kevin, visit the link in bio or https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-kevin
IL telehealth only. BCBS, BlueChoice, UnitedHealthCare/Optum (UHC), Aetna Behavioral Health, Cigna/EverNorth, and NIU Student Insurance.

01/07/2026

Just finished my re-read of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and this line got me🤎

01/06/2026

✨5 YEARS✨ for Suzy Wise, PhD, LCPC. We are incredibly grateful to have Suzy on our team. Compassionate and collaborative, Suzy’s primary focus is in LGBTQ+/queer/questioning; sexual/affectional and gender identity work, trauma, grief, and men’s issues.

To learn more about working with Suzy, visit the link in bio or https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-suzy
IL telehealth only. BCBS, BlueChoice, UnitedHealthCare/Optum (UHC), Aetna Behavioral Health, Cigna/EverNorth, and NIU Student Insurance.

01/05/2026

Happy New Year 🥳 Here’s a challenge: Ask yourself what old story is getting in the way of what you want or who you want to be. We all have them; a few false beliefs or negative cognitions that shape how we move through the world. These stories influence our behaviors and our relationships. They keep us stuck in the same patterns.

Step one: Awareness. What is the story that is keeping you stuck? How is it showing up in your life? Where did that story come from?

Many people need support identifying these patterns and making a shift toward something different, and that’s ok. You deserve to write the story you want with purpose and intention.

To get stated with one of our therapists visit https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/contact We are in-network with PPO plans by BCBS, Blue Choice, UnitedHealthCare/Optum (UHC), Aetna Behavioral Health, Cigna/EverNorth, and NIU Student Insurance.

12/18/2025

Happy 5 year anniversary Judy🎉

Judy Flores Sender, LPC works in office with teens & children using play, sandtray, & art therapy to provide young clients with opportunities to express & process feelings, learn social developmental skills, & feel empowered.

Judy is bilingual Spanish/English. To learn more about working with Judy please visit https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-judy BCBS, Aetna, & UHC/Optum Insurance accepted. To learn more about Play Therapy as the choice treatment for children 3-12 visit https://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/play-therapy

12/08/2025

Accepting Illinois clients with evening availability ➡️ Kevin specializes in supporting people of color navigating anxiety, depression, anger, life transitions, and grief & loss. BCBS, Aetna, UHC/Optum, NIU Student Insurance are accepted. Telehealth. If you’d like more information or to make an appointment with Kevin, please visit www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-kevin

11/27/2025

Wishing everyone a beautiful Thanksgiving, but especially to our clients🤍 I know I speak for my whole team when I say we are so grateful for you. In a time when the world feels so heavy and our socials are full of bad news, it is your strength, resilience, joy, and commitment to your healing that keeps us showing up to meet you on your journey.

Thank you for your trust and for the hope you fuel in all of us. 🤍Melissa & team

11/24/2025

(reposting from last year but too important not to repeat)
‼️Reminder as we approach the holidays‼️This messaging is harmful. I have seen this play out again & again; a client feeling like they couldn’t say no or it was easier to just let it happen or what they wanted doesn’t matter anyway. Please don’t do this.

Teach children (every age) that they have autonomy over their own body. They’re allowed to reject affection that they don’t want. They can greet family members (or anyone) however they feel comfortable (handshake, fist bump, wave). Let them know that you will support this by; letting family members know in advance if this is a new boundary you are setting, verbalizing the change in a statement (ex. Sara doesn’t want to give hugs today but she’s been practicing her handshake), backing them up if needed (ex. No, it’s her choice, she doesn’t have to hug Aunt Sally).

Adults: ASK permission before hugging, kissing, picking up other people’s children if they don’t initiate the contact. This is so easy, “Can I give you a hug goodbye?” And then accept their answer without expressing disappointment or anger.

A child who understands their control over their body is less likely to be a victim of sexual abuse and more capable of creating and maintaining healthy relationships into adulthood. (https://thearcofhr.org/consent-and-body-autonomy/)

11/10/2025

I’ve been thinking about “acceptance” as it relates to the current state of our world. **please take a deep breath and read entire post before reacting** We are inundated with endless videos of human rights violations - there is no shortage of examples of people being unlawfully kidnapped & beaten, children left behind or being taken, and millions cut off from accessing food. It’s easy to get lost in the flood of information (guilty) but being overwhelmed with endless graphic evidence of what we already know is not helpful and in most cases it’s literally hurting us. **I am not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand and pretend this is not happening.**

The opposite actually.

ACCEPTANCE of what is happening. This does not mean you are ok with any of this. Acceptance means this is where we are now. And now that we have faced that - we can make a plan for change. We can think about what we (as individuals & as part of a community) CAN do. We can witness the strength & resilience of others. We can feel the collective sense of justice. We can hold on to hope. We can take care of ourselves & others in preparation for our opportunity to contribute.

When I am feeling especially powerless in this, I am reminded that I can do SOMETHING.
💙Melissa

10/10/2025

Shame and guilt can feel like emotional quicksand.

You try to move forward, but something keeps pulling you back.

🔹 Guilt is feeling bad about what you did.
🔹 Shame is feeling like you are bad.

Both are painful—but shame can be especially isolating. It whispers things like “You’re not enough” or “You don’t deserve forgiveness.”

Here’s the good news: these feelings don’t have to define you.

In therapy, you can:

Unpack where guilt or shame comes from

Challenge the beliefs that keep you stuck

Learn to show yourself compassion

Begin to heal from the inside out

You are not your worst moment. You’re a whole person—worthy of understanding, growth, and healing.

If you’ve been carrying shame or guilt alone, maybe it’s time to talk to someone. Therapy can help.

You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re human.
- Aaron Peska, LCSW

Aaron currently has availability for new IL telehealth clients on Saturday mornings. To learn more about working with Aaron, you can read his bio & submit an inquiry form here: www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/meet-aaron

Address

2200 Huntington Drive N
Algonquin, IL
60102

Telephone

+18155165001

Website

http://www.melissacarlsoncounseling.com/

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