Job Search Status
Open to workDesired start date: Open to discussion
Work Type
Full TimeGig WorkLocation Preference
RemoteHybridOn-SiteLocation: Chicago Heights, ILHazel Crest, ILChicago, IL
Open to relocation: Yes
Open To Work
Melanie Norma Fitch LMSW
Integrative Mental Health Therapist
Greater Chicago area,IL
Work Preference
Summary
Licensed integrative mental health therapist with a master's degree in Holistic Social Work, and experience providing evidence-based therapy to adolescents, adults, and families. Skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and wellness coaching. Passionate about helping individuals build resilience, improve emotional well-being, and create lasting lifestyle change, bringing a whole-person approach to wellness and personal growth. Proficient in interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong commitment to leaving a meaningful and lasting impact on clients' lives. Experienced in helping individuals unravel the physical, mental, and emotional layers of their experience to uncover the root causes, promote self-awareness, and build effective coping strategies. Known for fostering team collaboration and a compassionate, grounded therapeutic space that supports resilience, insight, and sustained wellness. Thirty years of experience promoting plant-based nutrition and wellness as part of an integrative approach to mental health.
Track record of helping to implement effective solutions, building strong client relationships, and driving measurable results.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
7
7
Kingian Non-violence Training:
1
1
YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
National Youth Advocate Program
Matteson, IL
01.2024 - Current
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, effectively communicating with other healthcare providers as necessary.
- Evaluated treatment effectiveness regularly, adjusting intervention strategies based on client feedback and clinical judgment as required.
- Facilitated family therapy sessions to support communication, boundary setting, and healthy relationships among family members affected by mental health issues.
- Led psychoeducational groups covering topics such as emotion regulation, communication skills development, and relapse prevention strategies among others related to mental health improvement outcomes.
Integrative Therapist, Wellness Consultant
Self-employed
Chicago, IL
01.2020 - Current
- Managed caseload of 5-15 clients weekly
- Assessed clients' mental health needs, developed treatment plans, and monitored responses and progress.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions through cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapy.
- Provided individual and group therapy sessions to patients suffering from mental health issues.
- Developed and implemented intensive individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other psycho-social issues.
- Coordinated workshops using holistic approaches such as mindfulness and meditation.
- Guided clients in development of skills and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
- Tracked progress according to goals for interventions.
Therapeutic Educator/ DSP
Trinity Services
New Lenox, IL
07.2019 - 12.2023
- Assisted with crisis intervention to de-escalate challenging behavior and maintain peaceful encounters.
- Educated clients and family members on relevant topics to support independent living.
- Led patient or group recreational activities for enhanced patient outcomes.
- Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding and retention.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to promote critical thinking and collaborative learning among students.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans to support diverse learning needs.
- Facilitated engaging classroom environments that promoted student participation and collaboration.
Writing Consultant
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Assisted student body clients with writing and speech assignments, offering grammar, language and structural constructive criticism.
- Edited and proofread drafts of articles and other documents.
- Researched and wrote news stories, articles and reviews for online student publications.
- Developed and pitched story ideas to editors.
Production Manager
Totally Vegan Catering
Hazel Crest, IL
07.2014 - 06.2015
- Advised methods of effective dietary transition for over-all well-being
- Performed demonstrations of healthy Vegan menu planning and food preparation.
- Assisted in preparing, packaging, and delivering of Vegan entrees, desserts and prepackaged meals to health food stores in city of Chicago, as well as south suburbs
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Reviewed work for quality and compliance with company standards and design specifications
- Delivered direct feedback to senior management regarding project visibility and status.
Entertainment Coordinator
Leonardo Hotel Chain
Dead Sea, IL
06.2009 - 07.2012
- Managed team of 7 individuals
- Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers to build loyalty and repeat business.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Education
Master of Arts - Holistic Social Work
Governors State University
University Park, IL05.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Governors State University
University Park, IL05.2020
Associate of Arts - Applied Psychology, Sociology
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL12.2016
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Adolescent and Adult Therapy and Counseling
- Family and Couples Therapy and Counseling
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Conflict Resolution
- Lifestyle and Nutrition Guidance
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Facilitating Seminars and Workshops
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Treatment Planning
- Motivational interviewing
- Psychoeducation
- DBT techniques
Accomplishments
- YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training: Completed a 40-hour certification course preparing advocates to assist victims of sexual violence, a service performed in a hospital setting, assisting survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones in navigating the medical intervention process
- Kingian Non-violence Training: A philosophy and methodology that provides individuals with the knowledge to resolve problems and conflicts peacefully. Kingian Nonviolence today, is a resource for interpersonal and group conflict, which seeks to renew and make available the organizing strategies that drove the Civil Rights movement.
- Documented and resolved mental health and/or wellness challenges experienced by clients which led to their healing or resolution.
- Conflict Resolution - Responsible for handling customer account inquiries, accurately providing information to ensure resolution of product/service complaints and customer satisfaction.
Poetry and Song Writing
Written, recorded and performed music and poetic expression nationally and internationally.
Certification
- CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation-Automated external defibrillator) Training - 2023-2025
- Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training, YWCA - 2015
- Kingian Non-violence Training: Training - 2010
- Licensed MSW - 2022-Current
Languages
English
Full Professional
Hebrew
Limited Working
Quote
"You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth."
Shira Tehrani
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
National Youth Advocate Program
01.2024 - Current
Integrative Therapist, Wellness Consultant
Self-employed
01.2020 - Current
Therapeutic Educator/ DSP
Trinity Services
07.2019 - 12.2023
Writing Consultant
Moraine Valley Community College
08.2015 - 05.2016
Production Manager
Totally Vegan Catering
07.2014 - 06.2015
Entertainment Coordinator
Leonardo Hotel Chain
06.2009 - 07.2012
Master of Arts - Holistic Social Work
Governors State University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Governors State University
Associate of Arts - Applied Psychology, Sociology
Moraine Valley Community College