Melissa Kucia, LSW

• Licensed Social Worker

• Master of Social Work, Aurora University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz

• Professional Artist

• Montessori Assistant Certificate

• Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Wife, Mother, Aunt

• She/Her/Hers

Melissa is a compassionate, client-centered therapist who works with children (ages 8+), adolescents, and adults, creating a safe and supportive space to navigate life’s challenges. With a background as a licensed social worker, she helps clients explore their feelings, process grief, and address emotional and relationship difficulties with warmth and empathy.

Melissa tailors therapy to each client’s unique needs, blending evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Gottman Method, mindfulness, and creative art techniques. She believes that healing happens when clients feel understood, valued, and empowered — and she strives to foster those feelings in every session.

When working with children, Melissa uses creative and age-appropriate tools such as play and art to help them express themselves comfortably and confidently. With teens and adults, she focuses on building insight, resilience, and practical skills to reduce stress, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.

In addition to therapy, Melissa's calming presence is felt through her beautiful paintings that hang on the walls in the Downers Grove office.  She believes that “nature is the purest portal to inner peace” (Angie Weiland-Crosby), and her life is guided by the Yung Pueblo quote “do the universe a favor; don’t hide your magic.”