Dr. Melody Madaris, LCPC

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English | Book with Melody »

Helping people change painful patterns

Details

Name	Dr. Melody Madaris
Credentials	LCPC
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	14

About Melody

Dr. Melody Madaris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 14 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with trauma, substance use, mood disorders, and related concerns.

Melody aims to build practical connections so clients can begin making changes that matter in daily life. She has led large programs in community mental health, including management of co-occurring disorder services and a residential treatment facility. That administrative background gives her a broad view of how treatment systems fit together.

Background and approach

She draws on this experience when planning steps forward with each person she sees. In sessions she focuses on identifying specific areas where change is needed. She helps people set realistic goals and practice new skills between meetings.

The work is practical and action-oriented while still honoring people’s stories and strengths. Her approach blends Narrative therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when useful. She also uses Client-Centered and Dialectical Behavior Therapy ideas to support emotion regulation and self-understanding.

These methods are chosen to match what each person wants to work on. People commonly come for help with addiction, PTSD and trauma, bipolar disorder, depression, eating and body-image concerns, ADHD, grief, anger, and career or coaching needs. She also supports those affected by domestic violence, first responder stress, veteran issues, and process addictions.

Melody works in Illinois and offers sessions that can fit many schedules.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar disorder among the things Melody works with, alongside the areas below.

Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Coping with life changes
Grief
Eating disorders
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Body image
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
First responder issues
HIV / AIDS
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Sex addiction
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Gottman Method: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Melody among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Melody directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Melody directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Narrative and Skills-Based Methods Work Online

Online sessions with Dr. Madaris often draw on Narrative therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and helps separate problems from identity so new choices become possible. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches people to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck and to take committed action toward personal values.

She approaches therapy as a collaborative process. Together the person and therapist look at goals, try different methods, and adjust the plan based on what helps. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work rather than a fixed promise up front.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provides flexibility. Video is useful when visual cues help the process. Phone sessions can be lighter on bandwidth and a good option when movement or shorter check-ins are needed. Live chat and text messaging can support short updates, skill coaching between meetings, or people who prefer written communication. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy or changing schedules while keeping the focus on clear, practical steps.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does she address?

She works with a wide range of concerns including addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, grief, eating and body-image issues, anger, ADHD, and process addictions.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is practical and collaborative. She combines Narrative approaches with ACT and CBT ideas to help people tell their stories and make concrete changes.

What kind of experience does she bring?

She has 14 years of clinical experience and has overseen co-occurring disorder programs, a residential facility, outpatient programs, and crisis services.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, IL LCPC, and practices in Illinois.

Can sessions be conducted in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Melody are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Melody where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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