Melanie Vause, MSW
|
Master of Social Work
To make an appointment with Melanie, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email [email protected].
Specializes In:Anxiety, Depression, Social Anxiety, Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Trauma, Adjustment/Life Transitions, Trauma, Self-Esteem, LGBTQIA+ Support, Relationship Concerns, Caregiver Support, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders
Ages Served: 10+ Adolescents/Teens, Adults, Older Adults |
Professional Experience
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Appalachian State University. While at Appalachian State, I specialized my studies in human services, receiving education tailored to working with people of all backgrounds and needs. I received my Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University in Boston, where I also received a certificate in trauma practice. While pursuing my MSW, I interned at a group home for LGBTQ+ adolescents in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. In this setting, I facilitated individual and group therapy, engaged in various crisis intervention and harm reduction approaches, and supported transgender youth in their gender-affirming care journeys.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
I currently treat:
Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Trauma
Self-Esteem
LGBTQIA+
Depresion
Social Anxiety
Relationship Concerns
Caregiver Support
ADHD
Adjustment and Chronic Stress
Autism Spectrum Disorders
In my practice, I tend to focus on working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and those questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity. I have spent most of my professional career thus far
specializing in supporting adolescents who hold marginalized sexual and/or gender identities and find great joy and purpose in doing so.
I’m a very relaxed kind of clinician, because although it doesn’t have to be, therapy can be a scary thing, especially if it’s your first time. I tend to utilize approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and more. However, I give space to clients to share with me if they ever feel like their experience of therapy isn’t fitting their needs, and I work collaboratively with them to ensure that their treatment feels helpful and affirming.
Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Trauma
Self-Esteem
LGBTQIA+
Depresion
Social Anxiety
Relationship Concerns
Caregiver Support
ADHD
Adjustment and Chronic Stress
Autism Spectrum Disorders
In my practice, I tend to focus on working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and those questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity. I have spent most of my professional career thus far
specializing in supporting adolescents who hold marginalized sexual and/or gender identities and find great joy and purpose in doing so.
I’m a very relaxed kind of clinician, because although it doesn’t have to be, therapy can be a scary thing, especially if it’s your first time. I tend to utilize approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and more. However, I give space to clients to share with me if they ever feel like their experience of therapy isn’t fitting their needs, and I work collaboratively with them to ensure that their treatment feels helpful and affirming.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
Authenticity is what always comes to mind first when I think about what values are important to me. As someone who is part of and works with the LGBTQ+ community, finding spaces in which we are comfortable to express ourselves, share our feelings, and more is crucial for building community and facilitating growth and healing. Additionally, honesty, kindness, and compassion are paramount in all of my relationships. The world can be a scary place, and treating others with honesty, kindness, and compassion can make all the difference.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
I would describe myself as very introspective, thoughtful, gentle, and compassionate. I’ve always been one to engage in deep, thought-provoking conversations with others, and this is part of why I love being a therapist so much. However, don’t get me wrong - I use humor quite a bit as well to break up the seriousness!
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
I love spending my free time crocheting, playing video games, or watching YouTube videos. I also love snuggling with my cat Rosemary on the couch while doing these things. Additionally, I love spending time with my sister and her pets.
What is your favorite quote?
One of my favorite quotes is “Healing isn’t linear”. I’m unsure who first shared this, but I love this quote because it serves as a reminder that life will always have its ups and downs, and all of it is part of the healing process. When we experience those “down” moments, we might be inclined to feel as if these are setbacks, but this quote demonstrates that healing takes time, and just because we feel down doesn’t mean that we aren’t still making progress.
What led you to decide to you wanted to be a therapist?
Understanding how people make sense of the world around them in the face of incredible difficulties has always been interesting to me, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to support people
through these experiences. The idea and practice of being a therapist has also always just felt “right” to me; I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Why do you love being a mental health professional?
One of the things I value most about being a mental health professional is getting to support clients through their journeys of healing and self-discovery. Especially in working with adolescents and young adults, I so frequently see my clients experience things that drastically shape the way they view themselves and the world around them, and it’s such an honor to be able to support them through this.
Authenticity is what always comes to mind first when I think about what values are important to me. As someone who is part of and works with the LGBTQ+ community, finding spaces in which we are comfortable to express ourselves, share our feelings, and more is crucial for building community and facilitating growth and healing. Additionally, honesty, kindness, and compassion are paramount in all of my relationships. The world can be a scary place, and treating others with honesty, kindness, and compassion can make all the difference.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
I would describe myself as very introspective, thoughtful, gentle, and compassionate. I’ve always been one to engage in deep, thought-provoking conversations with others, and this is part of why I love being a therapist so much. However, don’t get me wrong - I use humor quite a bit as well to break up the seriousness!
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
I love spending my free time crocheting, playing video games, or watching YouTube videos. I also love snuggling with my cat Rosemary on the couch while doing these things. Additionally, I love spending time with my sister and her pets.
What is your favorite quote?
One of my favorite quotes is “Healing isn’t linear”. I’m unsure who first shared this, but I love this quote because it serves as a reminder that life will always have its ups and downs, and all of it is part of the healing process. When we experience those “down” moments, we might be inclined to feel as if these are setbacks, but this quote demonstrates that healing takes time, and just because we feel down doesn’t mean that we aren’t still making progress.
What led you to decide to you wanted to be a therapist?
Understanding how people make sense of the world around them in the face of incredible difficulties has always been interesting to me, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to support people
through these experiences. The idea and practice of being a therapist has also always just felt “right” to me; I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Why do you love being a mental health professional?
One of the things I value most about being a mental health professional is getting to support clients through their journeys of healing and self-discovery. Especially in working with adolescents and young adults, I so frequently see my clients experience things that drastically shape the way they view themselves and the world around them, and it’s such an honor to be able to support them through this.
