Therapy Team

 Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL License 180.008837) and her educational background includes a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counseling, both from Bradley University, where she graduated in May, 1999, with academic distinction.

Melissa Shane served as Adjunct Professor of Psychology for thirteen years and trained and worked in private practice for over ten years, before opening Healing Hearts Counseling in 2017. 

Melissa has advanced training and experience in Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Parental Alienation, Sand Tray, and Play Therapy,  

Today, Melissa enjoys working with kids, teens and adults of all ages in a broad range of issues. Dysfunctional family of origin issues, trauma, grief and loss, death and dying, depression and anxiety, and women's issues across the lifespan (perinatal mood disorders, menopause, empty nest adjustment, and relationship problems).

When not working, Melissa loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves Dracula, unicorns, mermaids, the ocean, fairies and all things "magical." A lover of music, ballet, opera and the arts, Melissa has a love for the dramatic and creative.

Angela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (IL License 149.019012) whose educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bradley University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. 

Angela has been at Healing Hearts since 2018. Prior to starting here, Angela was gaining experience in social service and advocacy work, as well as, in providing diagnostic and therapy services to a wide range of clients. She has specialized training in EMDR, CBT, Trauma Focused- CBT, and Theraplay, as well as advanced training in Perinatal Mood Disorders. 

Angela enjoys working with children, teens, and adults of all ages and is experienced in helping with anxiety, depression, mindfulness training, self-esteem issues, trauma, women’s issues, and life transitions. She hopes to help clients find healing, hope, and peace by empowering positive change. 

When not working, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs. She spends as much time as she can in nature being a lover of gardening, walking, hiking, bicycling, and bird watching. Angela is passionate about houseplants, crystals and rocks, music, science fiction, crime mysteries/documentaries, and anything that makes her laugh. 

Christine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (IL License 149.021177) and her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. 

 Christine began working at Healing Hearts in the summer of 2019. Prior to being a part of the Healing Hearts team, Christine worked in a social service agency in the Peoria area working with substance use and addiction issues. She 

Christine enjoys working with children, teens, adults and couples and is experienced in helping with behavioral concerns, stress, anxiety, life changes, depression, self-esteem, trauma, substance uses issues and relationship issues.

When not working, Christine enjoys spending time with her family and her four furbabies. She enjoys exercising and helping others achieve their fitness goals through group exercise classes. Christine enjoys a variety of interests in her personal life ranging from the great outdoors to Harry Potter and many things in between.

 Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (IL License 149.020486), and she is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). Her educational background includes a Bachelors in Psychology from Ashford University, and a Masters in Social Work from Illinois State University. 

Melissa joined Healing Hearts in spring 2020. She brings a wealth of knowledge from working with women, children and families for over 20 years. She has experience with foster care/child welfare, early childhood, and hospital maternal services. 

Melissa enjoys working with children, teens and adults. Her experience is helping with behavioral concerns, stress, anxiety, life changes, depression, self-esteem, trauma and she is certified in Perinatal Mental Health Services. 

Melissa is an advocate for Perinatal Mental Health. She is a survivor of perinatal mood disorders which engaged her in developing more resources locally for women and families affected by the life change of having a child. Melissa is a Board Member of Postpartum Support International and is the leader of Climb Out of the Darkness Central IL. Melissa has also developed training and consultation services to provide support and guidance to other area professionals. 

 Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL License 180.010373). She is currently accepting new clients by telehealth only.

Melissa Sallee has worked in the mental health field for nearly a decade. During this time, Melissa has worked in residential psychiatric care, the dually diagnosed, child welfare, and private practice. She earned her degree from Western Illinois University in Community Mental Health following a lengthy tenure in education. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Therapist in addition to being a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor. She specializes in counseling individuals facing infertility as well as relationships, anxiety, parent-child difficulties, and mood disorders. Her professional interests are complex PTSD, art in counseling, and holistic wellness. 

Melissa provides care to clients who are facing infertility of any sort. This includes men, women, and couples who have encountered problems with conception or child loss. She understands the process of assisted reproductive technology and how this causes a great deal of stress. 

Melissa traveled to Greece with a team of therapists to study the cross-cultural roots of wellness in relation to holistic healing. She is interested in the connection between mind, body, and soul, which includes nutrition and exercise. Melissa believes that nutrition has a great deal to do with mental health and the inverse as well. 

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys pursuits that include nature, art, and spirituality.  She enjoys kayaking, hiking, camping, and lawn care.  During the winter months she enjoys reading and of course, streaming!  

Cara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (IL License 149.022138), whose educational background includes a Bachelors in Psychology from Bradley University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois. 

She has worked in mental health and substance use services for over 15 years in the Peoria area. Cara enjoys working with teens, adults, and couples. She is experienced in supporting people through life changes, grief and loss, caregiver support, and end of life adjustment. She has extensive experience supporting people with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and trauma. She also utilizes both abstinence based and harm reduction approaches to substance use and recovery. 

Cara specializes in cognitive behavioral and acceptance and commitment therapy and embraces a strength based approach. She believes that when supported and empowered, people can overcome anything and utilizes empathy and compassion to nurture personal growth. She focuses on the mind/body/spirit relationship and the importance of nutrition as it relates to mood and health.

When not working, Cara enjoys spending time with her two children and rescue kitties. She enjoys finding the beauty in the world and spending time outdoors. She also enjoys cooking and enjoying meals with friends and family. She is eager to return to travelling to see friends and new places as well as attending concerts once it is safe to do so again.

  Michelle Foskett is a Licensed Professional Counselor (IL License 178.007566) whose educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Roosevelt University. She completed a PMAD training through Postpartum Support International in September 2022.

Michelle has 15 years of experience providing mental health services to adults and children in various settings, including psychiatric inpatient, residential, and schools. She also spent several years developing educational programs for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and is passionate about advocacy for mental health needs within our community. 

Michelle enjoys the process of getting to know her clients and offering the support they need to find strength, hope, and growth during difficult times. She brings a collaborative approach to her work with each individual and has training experience in cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and client-centered therapies. She is well-versed in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as helping people overcome the challenges that come with new life stages. 

Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and rescue dogs. When not gardening or discovering new foods, she likes watching British television and planning her next vacation. 

   Kandace Roth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (IL License 149.023565) whose educational background includes a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Western Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University. She completed a PMAD training through Postpartum Support International in September 2022.

Prior to starting at Healing Hearts, Kandace was gaining experience in a variety of different settings, including child welfare, medical social work, schools, and early intervention services. 

Kandace enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults. Her experience is helping with behavioral concerns, stress, anxiety, life changes, and depression. Kandace is passionate about toddler/early childhood mental health and enjoys working side by side with families as they continue to see positive changes.

When Kandace is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, being

outdoors, and being active.