Melissa Whitehurst, BS

You don’t have to face life’s twists and turns alone

Life is unpredictable, and it’s okay to seek help when emotions feel too heavy to carry. Expressing your innermost thoughts and feelings can be difficult, especially when there’s fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

Your experiences are unique, and you deserve to have them heard and validated as you explore what works for your needs and find ways to heal and grow.

How I Work

I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to support you as you navigate challenges. Together, we’ll create a space where your experiences are validated, your voice is respected, and your choices are honored.

I strive to build a trusting relationship that empowers you to explore what works best for you.

My goal is to help you face life’s hardships and develop tools to move through them, ensuring you feel safe and in control as you heal and grow. I value the complexity of who you are, including your gender, sexuality, disability, culture, and race, recognizing how these identities impact your mental health.

Together, we’ll honor your lived experiences, helping you find strength and confidence while exploring how to thrive despite life’s challenges.

Experience

Throughout my various career paths, my drive to help people through hardships and transitions has remained a consistent theme. My experience includes working with young adults in the foster care system, assisting them in navigating not only the complexities of being in the system but also important life milestones.

As a certified teacher, I cultivated a passion for literacy education and its role in empowering students. My work in the field of speech-language pathology deepened my understanding of how miscommunication can create barriers in relationships and self-expression.

Having navigated unexpected changes in my own life, I bring a compassionate perspective to my work as a person with chronic illnesses, and late-in-life diagnosed neurodivergence.

Outside the Office

In my downtime, I enjoy diving into various forms of media, from binge-watching shows to exploring thought-provoking YouTube video essays and listening to captivating podcasts like Worlds Beyond Number.

I love storytelling and writing, and I share my home with two cats who add an extra dose of joy to my life.

Education

• Counselor Intern, practicing under the supervision and license of Kyle Miller, LCPC
• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwestern University (in progress)
• Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders, Texas Christian University

Contact Me

Phone: (708) 365-8227
Email: [email protected]