Melissa Casad, MA, LPC, NCC
Staff Counselor Level II and Referral Specialist
Pronouns (she/her/hers)
Click To Enter: Melissa's Online Waiting Room
- M.A. in Human Development Counseling at University of Illinois at Springfield
- B.S. in Psychology at Southeast Missouri State University
Melissa’s main role in the department as a staff counselor is to provide students with individual therapy, group therapy, and referral consultation appointments. Melissa will also be participating in promoting psychoeducation to campus for mental health. Melissa serves as the referral specialist where she helps get students connected to on and off campus resources. In this role Melissa hopes to “Create a welcoming environment where students are able to get help when they are struggling and find the necessary resources to thrive and succeed. As college can be tough at times, but doesn’t have to be tackled alone.”
Melissa has previously worked at University of Illinois Springfield Counseling Center where she provided students individual and group counseling during her graduate schooling. Melissa led a mindfulness group where students could fully embrace learning how to manage stress and promoted psychoeducation for mental health through social media.
In addition, Melissa has a background in counseling at Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center as an intern until graduating from UIS in 2020 and then advanced to full time inpatient counselor where she worked with children ages 3-17. Melissa assisted these clients and their families in crisis stabilization by providing individual, family, and group therapy. Melissa also assisted in connecting clients to outpatient services and helping children who are youth in care of the state of Illinois.
Melissa’s therapeutic approach is emotionally focused individualized therapy (EFIT) an integrative approach containing systemic, experiential, and an attachment view point. Melissa also integrates other therapies as applicable including CBT, DBT, and ACT. Her counseling interests are included but not limited to mindfulness, stress management, depression, anxiety, family/systemic oriented issues, relationship issues, sexual assault awareness, identity development, and substance abuse. In her free time, you will probably find her practicing yoga, playing with her dog, or spending time with family/friends.
