Meet the Therapy Team

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For more than two decades, Melissa Shane has helped children, teens, adults, and families navigate life’s most difficult seasons with insight, compassion, and practical tools for lasting change.

As founder of Healing Hearts Counseling, Melissa blends advanced trauma training with a deeply human approach to therapy. Her work focuses on helping clients move beyond survival mode and create lives marked by resilience, connection, confidence, and meaning.

Melissa specializes in trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, family-of-origin wounds, narcissistic abuse recovery, women’s mental health, and life transitions. She is trained in EMDR, CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based therapies, play therapy, and trauma-informed treatment approaches.

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Melissa also spent thirteen years teaching psychology at the university level, bringing both clinical expertise and a passion for education into her work.

Clients often describe Melissa as authentic, insightful, creative, and refreshingly down-to-earth. She believes healing happens when people feel truly seen, understood, and empowered to write the next chapter of their story.

Outside the office, Melissa enjoys family, the arts, music, storytelling, and finding wonder in both the beautiful and unexpected.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2018, Angela has helped children, teens, and adults navigate difficult seasons with compassion, insight, and practical support.

Angela is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II with a background in social work, advocacy, diagnostic assessment, and therapy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bradley University and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois.

Angela specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, women’s issues, perinatal mood disorders, mindfulness, and life transitions. She draws from trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches, including EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Theraplay, and complex trauma treatment.

Her approach is warm, empowering, and grounded in the belief that healing is possible. Angela hopes to help clients find hope, peace, and meaningful change as they move forward in their lives.

Outside the office, Angela enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs. She loves being in nature, gardening, walking, hiking, bird watching, caring for houseplants, listening to music, watching science fiction and crime documentaries, and finding joy in anything that makes her laugh.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2019, Christine has supported children, teens, adults, and couples through life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for growth.

Christine has a background in psychology, social work, and community-based mental health care. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois. 

Before joining Healing Hearts, Christine worked in a social service agency in the Peoria area, where she gained experience supporting individuals facing substance use and addiction-related concerns.

Christine enjoys working with clients across the lifespan and is experienced in helping with behavioral concerns, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, substance use concerns, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Her approach is supportive, collaborative, and focused on helping clients build healthier patterns, strengthen relationships, and move toward meaningful change.

Outside the office, Christine enjoys spending time with her family and her four pets. She also enjoys exercising and helping others reach their fitness goals through group exercise classes. In her personal life, Christine enjoys a wide range of interests, from spending time outdoors to Harry Potter and many things in between.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2021, Cara has helped teens, adults, and couples navigate life transitions, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, and recovery with compassion, empathy, and practical support. 

For more than fifteen years, Cara has supported individuals and families in the Peoria area through mental health, substance use, and recovery-related challenges with compassion, empathy, and practical guidance.

Cara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in psychology, social work, mental health, and substance use services. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bradley University and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois.

Cara enjoys working with teens, adults, and couples. She is experienced in supporting clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem concerns, grief and loss, caregiver stress, life transitions, end-of-life adjustment, and relationship challenges. She also works with individuals navigating substance use and recovery, using both abstinence-based and harm-reduction approaches depending on each client’s needs and goals.

Cara specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, and she embraces a strengths-based approach. She believes that with support, empowerment, and compassionate care, people can move through difficult seasons and experience meaningful personal growth. Cara also values the connection between mind, body, and overall well-being, including the role that lifestyle and nutrition can play in mood and health.

Outside the office, Cara enjoys spending time with her two children and rescue cats. She loves finding beauty in the world, spending time outdoors, cooking, sharing meals with friends and family, traveling to new places, and attending concerts.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2021, Melissa has helped clients navigate trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, and life transitions with compassion, insight, and a holistic approach to healing. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with approximately fifteen years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with both rural and inner-city populations in settings including residential psychiatric care, child welfare, dual-diagnosis treatment, and private practice.

Melissa earned her Master of Science in Education in Community Mental Health from Western Illinois University after beginning her educational journey at Spoon River College and Olivet Nazarene University. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Therapist, a National Board Certified Counselor, and has completed certification in the treatment of ADHD.

Melissa specializes in working with individuals who have experienced relational, developmental, or childhood trauma. She helps clients process grief, navigate relationship difficulties, understand outdated coping patterns, and build healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

Her approach is trauma-informed, holistic, and grounded in the connection between the brain, body, relationships, and healing. She is Internal Family Systems-informed and draws from trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, attachment theory, Adlerian theory, and somatic awareness.

Melissa has a special interest in complex PTSD, the neurobiology of trauma, art in counseling, holistic wellness, and the connection between mind, body, and overall well-being.

Outside of counseling, Melissa enjoys from-scratch cooking, kayaking, camping, yoga, landscaping, thrifting, watercolor, reading, winter hiking, and spiritual growth. She provides part-time telehealth counseling and also works during the day as a high school teacher.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2023, Kristina has helped clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion, practical support, and a holistic approach that considers the connection between brain health and emotional wellness. Kristina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with experience supporting children, teens, adults, and couples through a variety of life challenges.

She earned her master’s degree in counseling from Bradley University and is currently pursuing post-master’s certification in neurocounseling. Kristina’s experience includes working with adolescents and adults in both high school and college settings, where she has supported clients through behavioral concerns, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges.

Kristina is passionate about understanding the connection between brain health and emotional wellness. Her approach is supportive, collaborative, and holistic, helping clients better understand themselves, build healthy coping skills, and move toward meaningful growth.

Outside the office, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to visit her children. She also enjoys connecting with nature through activities such as running, biking, and spending time outdoors.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2023, Jill has helped clients navigate trauma, emotional healing, life transitions, and overall wellness with empathy, curiosity, and compassionate care. Jill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of social work and nearly twenty years of experience providing therapy.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois. Throughout her career, Jill has worked in a variety of professional and agency settings, including HIV/AIDS care, oncology, juvenile corrections, community mental health, Veterans Affairs, and private practice.

Jill is experienced in supporting clients through trauma, eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional healing. She is trained in EMDR therapy for trauma, CBT-E for the treatment of eating disorders, and other evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

Jill leads her sessions with empathy, curiosity, and deep listening. She works to understand the stories and experiences that have shaped each client’s life while helping them cultivate self-compassion, body acceptance, and a more holistic sense of health and well-being.

Outside the office, Jill enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, cooking, baking, reading, learning about almost any topic, traveling, exploring new places, and spending time in nature.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2024, Cara Lane has supported children, teens, and adults through life’s challenges with compassion, practical guidance, and a strong belief in the importance of connection and support.

Cara is a Licensed Social Worker with a background in school social work, behavioral health, and crisis intervention. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Illinois University and her master’s degree in school social work from Aurora University.

Cara has worked as a school social worker for eight years and has experience helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, trauma, grief, and relationship challenges. 

She is passionate about helping clients build self-care skills, strengthen communication, and develop healthier connections with their support systems.

Outside the office, Cara enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, and gardening.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2024, Edye has supported adults through stress, anxiety, grief, chronic illness, caregiver stress, relationship concerns, and life transitions with compassion, understanding, and a holistic approach to care. Edye is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University.

Edye enjoys working with adults and supports clients through stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic illness, caregiver stress, relationship concerns, and life transitions. She uses an integrative and holistic approach to therapy, tailoring her work to each client’s needs, goals, and personal path toward healing.

As a cancer survivor, Edye has a deep understanding of the emotional challenges that can come with diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and life after cancer. She strives to provide compassionate support for individuals navigating these experiences, as well as those facing other major health-related or caregiving challenges.

Outside the office, Edye loves spending time outdoors, including walking in the woods, hiking, gardening, tending to her yard, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2026, Terri has helped clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion, self-reflection, and a whole-hearted approach that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Terri Shafer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with more than twenty years of experience in counseling, community mental health, higher education, and private practice.

Terri is a graduate of Spoon River College and Illinois State University and earned her master’s degree in education and interdisciplinary studies from Western Illinois University. Her professional background includes working as a counselor, campus director, part-time faculty member, and private practice clinician. She is a member of the Illinois Counseling Association and the West Central Illinois Professional Counseling Association, and she currently serves as treasurer of the Illinois College Counseling Association.

Terri supports clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, addiction and recovery, OCD, chronic illness, caregiving stress, LGBTQ+ issues, spirituality, and life transitions. She has experience working with PTSD, sexual assault, childhood abuse, grief, and physical and emotional trauma.

Her therapeutic approach incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, self-compassion, and Internal Family Systems therapy. Terri believes in whole-hearted living and the connection between mind, body, and spirit as an important part of healing and overall wellness.

Outside the office, Terri enjoys spending time with family and friends, living country life, flower and vegetable gardening, and helping on the farm whenever possible. She is also active in her community, her church, and volunteers with her local county fair and 4-H organization.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2026, Jason has helped teens and adults navigate life’s challenges with practical support, compassion, and a strengths-based approach, with specialized experience in anger management and trauma-related concerns. Jason is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than fourteen years of experience in mental health and social work services in the Peoria area.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Eureka College and his master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois. Jason enjoys working with teens and adults and is experienced in supporting clients through anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-esteem concerns, irritability, anger, and life stressors.

Jason specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive processing therapy. His approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and holistic, helping clients better understand how different areas of life can impact their overall mental health and well-being.

Jason is also a Certified Anger Management Specialist and provides anger management counseling for individuals seeking personal growth, as well as those completing court-ordered or employer-required anger management services. Certificates of completion are available when requirements are met.Outside the office, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and his stubborn dog. He also enjoys outdoor activities and traveling to new destinations.

Since joining Healing Hearts Counseling in 2025, Angie has supported children, adults, and seniors with warmth, compassion, and a person-centered approach to care.

Angie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in social work, psychology, children and family services, and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in psychology from Western Illinois University and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California, where she focused on working with children and families.

Angie has experience working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and holds a credential as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional. She enjoys taking time to get to know each client, working alongside them to build confidence, identify strengths, and move toward their personal goals.

Outside the office, Angie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her daughter. She also loves snuggling with her dog, Cookie, and her two cats, Luna and Ferdinand. Angie enjoys laughing with friends and family over dinner or board games, taking walks, and reading.