About me

Blessings to you:
I am licensed Social Worker in Illinois with 20+ years of professional work experience, with most of those years being in therapeutic situations working with adolescents. My extensive social work experience has allowed me to work with many walks of life, where I have advocated for their best qualities of their life, always. I have much experience working with diverse populations and have the ability to meet people where they are at. I believe my gift of being a minority helps a great deal in this ability. I thrive on positivity and mental wellness, with a clear understanding and vision of one's light. With this gift, I feel I am called to help others live their best lives, and give skills to help keep their light bright. I am a natural promoter of empowerment and hold a great deal of empathy. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, relationship issues, family conflicts, etc. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Self esteem, Motivation
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
LGBT , Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Coping with life changes , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , Antisocial personality , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Years of Experience: 16

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

IL LCSW 149023198

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melissa Cauthen. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Jul 01, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

I always feel very seen and heard by Melissa! She celebrates the little wins with me and she is incredibly supportive, while still offering great feedback and informative perspectives!

Written on Jun 29, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief

Very sensitive, very professional, very attentive. Very good.

Written on Mar 25, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and self esteem

I was extremely nervous to start therapy for the first time but I had my first session with Melissa and I instantly knew I could pour out what I’ve needed to express for a long time. I received no judgements from her and she was able to provide me a lot of useful information. Great first session!

Written on Mar 17, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety

I always feel so much better after talking with Melissa. She has helped me in ways that no one else could. She is super easy to talk to, and listens perfectly. I am so glad I have her to talk to, and help me with my anxiety. 100% recommend!

Written on Mar 15, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts

Very nice and understanding. She understood my problems and offered practical advice.

Written on Feb 18, 2025 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

Melissa is amazing and empathetic and really helped me change my mindset within the very first session. I look forward to meeting with her again soon.

Written on Oct 25, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and coaching

Melissa is an amazing therapist. I can start a call with her and just talk and talk. She’s never made me feel judged even when I’ve told her things that I’ve never said to any other living soul. She doesn’t just remind me that I’m only human but also helps guide me to understand that that means I’m allowed to make mistakes and change my mind and just be a person. She’s made a huge difference in some of the most difficult times in my life. I recommend Melisssa to anyone who wants a relatable, reliable listening ear who doesn’t tell you what’s going on but rather works with you to understand it. She’s awesome.

Written on May 01, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and adhd

Melissa is an amazing listener and allows for open and honest conversation coupled with tools to move through whatever I have going on.

Written on Feb 19, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse

Melissa Cauthen is terrific, and is a quick study on issues and patient concerns. She provided thoughtful feedback and very helpful suggestions and strategies in our very first meetings, and provided immediate follow up and written materials that helped considerably. Most of all, she is an expert listener and really helped with the issues that caused me to seek therapy treatment.

Written on Jan 26, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching

Melissa is wonderful and emphatic therapist. A great listener, she takes into account what you share and offers extremely valuable feedback and suggestions for moving forward. Highest possible recommendation.

Written on Nov 28, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coaching

Melissa is a caring person who listens and asks provoking questions. I have very much enjoy our chats and look forward to many more as she helps me grow as a person.

Written on Nov 17, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem

Melissa is awesome. So real and authentic.

Written on Nov 11, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 4 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem

I like that she seems to care about my well being and it is obvious that this is more than just a job to her.

Written on Sep 06, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and anger management

So far, I am very happy with the help that Melissa has provided. She understands what I am going through and is helping me cope with my trauma. I am so glad I took a chance at teen counseling and started to work through my problems.

Written on Sep 03, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes

She was very considerate and punctual. Had great recommendations on how to help me cope with my life.

Written on Aug 15, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, and adhd

I have only had three visits with Melissa so far, shes a great listener and always sends me grat info to best support me. I would love to continue working with her.

Written on May 01, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and self esteem

She’s very kind and a wonderful listener. I always feel better after a session with her.

Written on Apr 26, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd

Melissa is amazing, she has made me feel so comfortable to talk to her. She helped me work through so much of my stress and life issues. I am lucky to have been placed with such a professional, sweet, educated counselor.

Written on Apr 07, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, and adhd

Melissa is so great and has walked me through different thought processes to help me work through my problems. ☺️ highly recommend!

Written on Jan 06, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and adhd

Great counselor couldn't ask for anything else.

Written on Dec 27, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, and coping with life changes

Easy to talk to

Written on Dec 19, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and career difficulties

I really enjoyed Melissa's assistance in helping me to work through an inter-personal issue at work - and in just one session!

Written on Dec 08, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd

I’m so appreciative of Melissa. She’s amazing and has already helped me over come tough situations and shared very useful strategies with me. Glad to have been matched with someone who cares.

Written on Nov 19, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks

My daughter has talked to a number of different guidance counselors and therapists, but it was through her work with Melissa that I started to see her really improve her outlook and start to deal with her life's challenges in healthier ways. I am so grateful. I am starting to see a side of my daughter that I hadn't seen in years.

Written on Nov 09, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem

Melissa is awesome!

Written on Oct 29, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month

She is a very good therapist, she helped me a lot, I have overcome great things, thanks to her I am very grateful.

Work with me!