Mattoon

Tabitha was born and raised in Coles County and has passion for helping people remove barriers to their best life. She has experience working with individuals and couples in therapy since 2015. She started in other helping fields in 2006. She earned her Master’s of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. She uses an eclectic approach to
treatment often focusing on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact to create mental health struggles. Tabitha has significant training and experience in treating childhood, family, and religious trauma and often uses EMDR. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief, aging concerns, phobias and other mental health diagnoses are all familiar to her. Tabitha’s favorite work is with those who are in the LGBTQI+ community.

“I strongly believe that clients are the experts on their own lives and it is my job to aid you in reaching your desired destination. You drive; I hold the map. I found a passion for therapy after I was a client myself so I know the difficulty of reaching out, being vulnerable with another, and doing the hard work of life changes. I will hold a space of non-judgment and I will invite you to be yourself as we partner together to meet your goals.”

Life can feel overwhelming when you’re constantly battling anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, or the weight of daily stress. You might feel stuck in negative thought patterns, struggle with self-doubt, or struggle to manage emotions and relationships. Maybe past experiences still impact your present, or the pressure to keep up with life’s demands feels exhausting.

Healing is not one-size-fits-all. My goal is to help you recognize your strengths and move forward with
clarity and resilience, while in a safe and nonjudgmental environment.”

— Melissa

 

Melissa is a Licensed Social Worker who completed her BSW and MSW at the University of Illinois. Melissa has experience in healthcare settings, assisting individuals and families with advance care planning needs as an ICU social worker. She also has previous work experience with agencies serving the LGBTQ+ community and agencies focused on harm reduction. Melissa enjoys working with children and adults.

Melissa specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and life’s
challenges through a holistic and evidence-based approach. Her focus is on building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and coping skills while supporting personal growth, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Malia is a Licensed Social Worker who completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology/criminology at Eastern Illinois University. She then completed her M.S.W. with a specialization of health/mental health at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with additional coursework for school social work. Malia has experience in school-based counseling and has worked with students of all ages. She also has previous work experience with agencies serving underprivileged communities and worked to connect clients to appropriate resources as a community advocate. Malia enjoys working with children and young adults in large part due to her lived experience with depression and grief.

Malia specializes in interpersonal relationships. She focuses on offering a non-judgmental & empathetic space using evidence-based practices to process emotions and obstacles in life. Malia encourages self-actualization by looking at the whole person and not just the problems clients may want to bring to sessions to work through. Malia works through a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach aimed at building emotional regulation, coping skills, self-awareness and social awareness. 

All behaviors communicate what we cannot put into words. My job is to hear the words you can and cannot say and help you make sense of them. “

— Malia

 

I became a therapist because I genuinely enjoy working with people and understand the vulnerability of asking for help. My approach in therapy is holistic and person centered. I value diversity and balance using evidence based methods with listening to the voices of those with lived experience. In sessions we focus on self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional regulation, stress management, compassion, and authentic living.

By understanding the thoughts, beliefs, and emotions behind behaviors, you’ll make meaningful progress and understand yourself deeper. I show up as a real, imperfect human who cares.”

 

—Sara

Sara Kirkpatrick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. She brings 18 years of healthcare experience, including the last 4 years in clinical mental health. She is trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming, body positive, and LGBTQ+ friendly. She has additional training and professional experience in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) and for working with children with challenging behaviors. She works to help individuals with ADHD develop and adapt compensatory strategies for executive functioning challenges. By identifying and addressing cycles that complicate these challenges, she supports clients in navigating the overlap between ADHD and mental health. Sara supports autistic clients in recognizing and managing stress and burnout, enhancing self-awareness, and developing regulation skills. Her approach to bipolar disorder is enriched by extensive professional experience as well as a profound appreciation for the lived experiences of those close to her. Sara works virtually or she can meet you in a safe and private space in the Mattoon community. Her goal is to help bring more support to those in Mattoon and the surrounding rural areas that use Medicaid.