Melissa Larmon, AMFT

Supervised by Josh Hetherington

Hello! I’m Denis, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. It is an honor and a privilege helping people come to greater understanding, peace, and self-acceptance in my work. I have a particular passion for working with couples as well as men and boys, who often have not been given the opportunity or encouragement to fully develop their emotional awareness. In my experience on both sides of therapy, I have been amazed to see how much healing is possible when we feel fully seen and met with compassion. As a therapist, not only do I provide this compassionate presence for my clients, I seek to help them learn to provide it for themselves, and in the case of couples and families, for each other. 

I have taken an eclectic career path, teaching English in France, serving in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu, and working as manager of the Illinois Vipassana Meditation center, before completing an M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in Couples and Family Counseling at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. These 

We all have times that we feel frustrated, discouraged, or uncertain in life and relationships. It can be a struggle to figure out how to change or find relief. Uncertainty and change are stressful, but with the right perspective and tools, our goals, dreams, best self, and thriving relationships are all possible. Whether you are focusing on relationships with others, or the important relationship with yourself, I am here to offer empathy, guidance, information, insight, and support, as you tackle the challenges in front of you.

Following a successful career in the business world, I received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. I have experience with couples, individuals, and families from a variety of backgrounds, and bring a relational perspective to all of my work. Whether with ourselves, a partner, family, peers, colleagues, or community, we are all connected to a variety of relationships that affect our lives. I collaborate with you to better understand and improve your connection to self and others, and to optimize your functioning in all areas of life. My integrative training and approach allows me to custom-fit therapy to your specific needs and goals, giving you the best chance to succeed.

I work with individuals, couples, and families facing a variety of challenges including depression, life transitions, relationship issues, sexual issues, communication, infidelity, conflict, grief, work/life balance, career transitions, and anxiety. I am LGBQTIA+ affirming and use she/her/hers pronouns.

The first step to making change is often the hardest, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I consider it a privilege to share in your dreams, and help you create the life and relationships you desire.