Therapist in Lisle, Illinois,
Melissa Grupe, PhD, LCPC

Pursuing therapy can be a challenging and hard decision. We may feel that seeking help means we are broken, weak, or something is wrong with us. Yet, we are human and we face unexpected challenges daily. This could be work stress, a child who we love but also get overwhelmed with, difficulties within relationships, grief, medical diagnoses, or questioning our role in life. The list is endless of the challenges we face. Emotions are signaling to us that something is off in our lives. A way towards feeling better is to feel heard, understood, and supported. I am here for you to help you look at what is happening in your life and find ways to move through it. These ways include self-compassion, being authentic, following your values, acceptance, taking care of yourself, and being open to yourself to learn about who you are and your potential. I believe that an understanding of our relationship with ourselves, our bodies, money, time, food, the planet, culture, religion/spirituality, and others is important to enhancing our wellbeing.

I also enjoy working with children. Their behavior and actions are communicating something to us and we as adults need to slow down and figure out what it is. They may not have the words that we do so they express themselves in other ways. I bring in art, music, activities, and movement into session with children to help them feel safe, have fun, and learn how to communicate or tolerate difficult emotions. I help them learn how to be true to themselves and to others.

I have worked in the mental health field since I was a teenager, starting as a volunteer and mentor. Since my early days of working in animal-assisted and equine-assisted therapy, I have acquired my BA in Psychology from Alverno College and my MA and PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My studies have taken me to Japan, Peru, and Sierra Leone for international collaboration and program development. Outside of work, I love nature, animals, art, music, architecture, reading, cooking, travel, and strength training.