Susan Mellema, LCSW
- 30 years experience
- Addictions and family
- Trauma and grief
About Susan Mellema
Susan recognizes that seeking change takes courage, and she approaches each person with respect and encouragement, aiming to support and empower clients as they take steps toward a more fulfilling, happier life. Her work centers on creating a collaborative environment where clients can explore goals, practice new skills, and find practical paths forward. Whether addressing substance use, difficult family dynamics, traumatic memories, or bereavement, she brings steady experience and a strengths-based perspective to help clients move toward meaningful change.
Across her years of practice, Susan maintains a compassionate, respectful stance and partners with clients to support progress at a pace that fits their needs and readiness.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
Therapeutic Approach
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Susan Mellema have?
Susan Mellema has 30 years of professional experience working with individuals and families.
Is Susan Mellema a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her license is listed as IL LCSW 149.011313.
In which languages does Susan Mellema provide therapy?
Susan provides therapy in English.
Where is Susan Mellema located?
Susan is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Susan Mellema as my therapist?
You can work with Susan through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Susan Mellema work with international clients?
Susan does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Susan Mellema cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors such as location and availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with a therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and respect. It helps people explore their own values and goals while the therapist supports them in finding their own solutions, which can be helpful for relationship strains, grief, and general life transitions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and learning practical strategies to change them. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depressive symptoms, and coping with stressors related to addiction and family conflicts.
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that strengthens a person’s own motivation to change. It is especially useful for people dealing with substance use or ambivalence about making changes.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Susan works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts the approach as progress unfolds.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect with licensed professionals. Video calls and phone sessions allow for face-to-face conversation, while live chat and text-based messaging provide additional options for communication between sessions. These formats increase accessibility and make it easier to schedule care that fits into a client’s life.