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A life change you didn't choose.

You don't have to figure it out alone.
Virtual therapy for adult women across Illinois, for anxiety, depression, grief, life changes and relationship issues, with Christian faith woven in if you want it.

Melissa Pazen

MSW, LCSW · Accepting new clients

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Meet Melissa
Melissa Pazen, MSW, LCSW

“Clients tell me our sessions feel like talking with a trusted friend who will also ask the hard questions.”

Melissa Pazen, MSW, LCSW

Licensed clinical social worker, Illinois

Once you've told Melissa you're focused on moving from A to D, she's not letting go just because you reach C.

Carole

A warm, practical place to work on what's hard right now.

I've been doing this work with women for decades. I'm a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with a Master of Social Work, and my practice is small and solo on purpose. That's what lets me pay close attention to the women I see and offer real, useful guidance rather than generic advice.
Most of my clients are women age 30 and older: professionals, caregivers, women navigating a transition they didn't quite choose. We meet by video, from wherever you can find a quiet hour, and you leave with something to work on.
MSW, LCSWLicensed clinical social worker
Illinois licensedAnywhere in the state
Virtual onlySecure video, from home
New clientsAccepting new clients now
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What I offer

  • Christian-Based Therapy
  • Women's Counseling
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief & Loss
  • Life Changes
  • Relationship Issues
Individual sessions for adult women, by secure video anywhere in Illinois. Bring whatever is weighing on you most; it's usually more than one of these.
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01

Christian‑Based Therapy

Prayer, scripture, or a Christian worldview can be woven into our work from the very start, or not at all. Many of my clients come to me specifically for this.

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02

Women's Counseling

A space to think through what you're carrying, in work, in family, in the quiet space between the two.

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03

Anxiety

Work on the thought patterns and physical signals behind anxiety, and build skills that help you feel steadier.

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04

Depression

Find language for what's heavy and hard to name, and start moving toward the parts of life that still feel like yours.

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05

Grief & Loss

Space to grieve a person, a role, an identity, or a chapter of your life, on your own timeline, not someone else's.

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06

Life Changes

Divorce, retirement, empty nest, a parent's decline. Therapy helps you make sense of what a change is asking of you.

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07

Relationship Issues

Working individually, women and I look at the patterns, the trigger points, and what you can actually change.

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New to therapy?

That's okay too. A free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure way to see if I'm the right fit for you.

Request a free consultation
30 to 80Women, primarily ages
1:1Individual sessions only
55Minute video sessions
$150Per hour, or insurance

Who I work with

I work individually with adult women, primarily ages 30 to 80. Never couples, families, or groups, so every session is entirely yours, by secure video from anywhere in Illinois. Christian faith is welcome in our work, from the start or not at all.
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You may be a woman…

  • Struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or relationship challenges
  • Navigating a difficult life transition or feeling uncertain about your future
  • Experiencing emotional overwhelm, stress, or burnout
  • Coping with grief or the loss of a loved one
  • Feeling disconnected in your personal or professional life
  • Seeking support, encouragement, and healthier family dynamics for your parenting
  • Feeling stuck in a career or uncertain about where your life is going
  • Living in a relationship that no longer feels fulfilling despite caring deeply for one another

My approach

We meet on a HIPAA secure teleconference. You tell me about what's been happening. I focus completely on you. I ask questions that help you begin to choose to make a little change every week until your life is going smoothly and you find joy in your days.

Start with a free 15‑minute call

We talk briefly to make sure I'm the right fit for what you're looking for. No pressure, no clinical intake. Just a real conversation.

Meet for 55 minutes

We talk about what's going on, what's underneath it, and what might help. I don't do long silences while you fill the air. I offer feedback, share perspective, and challenge the ideas keeping you stuck, kindly but directly.

Leave with one or two small changes

Not a cure. Not a list of ten things to fix by Tuesday. One or two things to pay attention to, work on, or try. We pick it up from there next time.
Melissa on a video therapy session, seen on a monitor

For this week

1

Notice when you say yes before you've thought about it.

2

Ten quiet minutes before bed. No phone.

An example of the kind of note you might leave a session with. Yours will be about your life.

Faith, the way you want it

Many of my clients come to me specifically because I can bring Christian beliefs into our work. Prayer, scripture, or a Christian worldview can be part of our sessions from the very first one. If you'd rather keep faith out of it, that's completely fine too.
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What clients say

Melissa is THE BEST! I feel like I'm talking with someone who genuinely cares about me and my life trajectory. She doesn't hesitate to say “there are other ways to accomplish XYZ with your adult children. Try this.” It's such a great feeling to leave each session with a game plan.
Verified client, age 65+Shared after session 3 on Grow Therapy

Fees, insurance and hours

The nuts and bolts of working together. Most clients use their insurance, billed through Grow Therapy.

$150 per hour

Self-pay, with clear, upfront pricing. Each session runs 55 minutes and is billed directly after the session by major card or ACH.
  • 55-minute sessions by video
  • Major card or ACH
  • Free 15-minute consultation

When we can meet

12:00 to 9:00 PM Central. Tuesdays off.
  1. Monday12 to 9
  2. TuesdayOff
  3. Wednesday12 to 9
  4. Thursday12 to 9
  5. Friday12 to 9
  6. Saturday12 to 9
  7. Sunday12 to 9
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Insurance accepted

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
  • UnitedHealthcare / Optum
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Medicare
  • AmeriHealth Administrators
  • EAPs
  • GTEB
  • Humana
  • Independence Blue Cross
  • VA Community Care Network (CCN)
Don't see your carrier? Call 773-405-3301 to check whether I've recently been approved for your plan.

Credentials

MSW, LCSW. Master of Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Format

Telehealth only, secure HIPAA-compliant video, anywhere in Illinois

Who I see

Women, primarily ages 30 to 80, individually

Christian-based

A standard offering, not an add-on or requirement

From anywhere in Illinois, in your own space

Every session is held by secure video. Chicago, the suburbs, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Springfield, Carbondale: wherever you are, we can work together.
A device and a quiet spaceA laptop, tablet, or phone works. Many clients join from a home office, a bedroom with the door closed, or a parked car on their lunch break.
HIPAA-compliant videoA confidential, encrypted link that opens right in your browser. No software to install.
Flexible schedulingWeekly, biweekly, or as needed. Insurance, or self-pay at $150 per hour.
ChicagoRockfordQuad CitiesSpringfieldCarbondale
Licensed throughout Illinois

Frequently asked questions

Still wondering? Call 773-405-3301 or request a free 15-minute consultation.
How much does a session cost?
Self-pay is $150 per hour, and each session runs 55 minutes. If you use insurance, your cost depends on your plan. Payment is accepted by major card or ACH.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I'm credentialed with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare / Optum, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, Humana and more. Insurance billing runs through Grow Therapy. See the full list of plans.
Do I have to be Christian to work with you?
No. Christian-based therapy is a standard offering, not a requirement. Faith shows up the way you want it to, from the start or not at all.
Do you see couples or families?
No. I work individually with adult women, primarily ages 30 to 80. Relationship concerns are very welcome, and we work on them together in your own sessions.
What are your hours?
Wednesday through Monday, 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central. I don't see clients on Tuesdays.
How do I book a session?
Choose any “Book on Grow Therapy” button to pick a time on my Grow Therapy profile. Scheduling and billing for ongoing sessions run through Grow Therapy.
Can we talk before I book?
Yes. A free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure way to see if we fit. Use the form below and I'll reach out within one business day to set up a time.
What if I'm in crisis?
If you are in a mental health emergency or crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or dial 911.

Ready to take the next step?

Book your first session directly on Grow Therapy. Use your insurance, or self-pay at $150 per hour.
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Secure video sessionsHIPAA-compliant, opens in your browser
Anywhere in IllinoisChicago to Carbondale, and everywhere between
Accepting new clientsAfternoon and evening times available

Prefer to talk first?

Request a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure, no clinical intake, just a real conversation. I'll reach out within one business day to set up a time.

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