ABOUT DR. MELISSA SHARP & ASSOCIATES

DR. MELISSA SHARP, PSY.D., LCP – Practice Owner/Waiting List for New Patients

(In Person or Telehealth Provider in 39 States)

Hi! I’m Dr. Melissa Sharp and I’m a clinical psychologist and the practice owner. I earned my doctorate degree in psychology from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2001. I specialize in helping clients resolve the effects of trauma. I am a Level 2 trained Deep Brain Reorienting therapist as well as a Level 3 Rapid Resolution Therapy therapist. I prefer to work with clients who have specific therapy goals that they would like to address within a short period of time. Some clients have a therapist that they see on an ongoing basis and come to me specifically for trauma therapy. I have effectively treated a variety of issues such as trauma-related stress (PTSD), grief, anxiety, self-destructive behaviors (including drug or alcohol cravings), guilt, resentment, and low self-esteem.  I am in the following insurance networks: BCBS PPO, Aetna, Cigna, Magellan, PHCS, Medicare, and Optum (United Behavioral Health). I am licensed to provide online therapy in 39 states through PsyPact including: AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.

RRT has been a great tool for my family. The way it generalizes to other areas is quite amazing and has been so helpful to us all. Having used more traditional approaches in the past and then RRT, I see a huge difference in both the effectiveness and length of time spent in therapy. Thank you Melissa!      –L. R. 

I just spent a couple of years trying to build myself up to quitting smoking – but one life stress after another kept me from doing it….”Oh this is a tough week coming up,” or “this is terrible PMS, I can’t do it right now.” “Family coming to visit, once they leave” etc. Well last year I started noticing changes and realized menopause was beginning to make its appearance. From stories I’ve heard about other women’s experiences, I thought, “this is going to be several years of ups and downs – I’ll never find a good time to quit.” So I talked to Melissa and not only did she help me to quit smoking (with minimal side effects), she also treated me for anger and dark moods that had really been getting me down. This was over 5 months ago. I’ve waited until now to see how I was doing. I still have a nauseating feeling when I visualize my cigarettes and haven’t returned to that overwhelming rage and depression that I had experienced before. This was after only 3 sessions with Melissa. I truly felt safe and secure with Melissa – there was no judgement – and she followed up with me, making sure that I knew genuine help was there when I needed it. I’m so grateful for the help and support I needed and received.        –K.E.

MARINA LISJONOK, LCSW, MSW

Clinical Therapist | Rapid Resolution Therapy® Practitioner

Hi, my name is Marina! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in mental health and a passion for helping people experience meaningful, lasting change.

I believe that meaningful change doesn’t have to take years, and that therapy can be more than simply learning to cope with what troubles us. I bring warmth, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to helping people find relief, clarity, and a renewed sense of freedom.

I specialize in Rapid Resolution Therapy® (RRT), with over 1,500 hours of advanced training and experience as an Associate Trainer. I help individuals address anxiety, trauma, grief, anger, guilt, shame, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, and patterns that keep them feeling stuck.

Many people come to therapy having already tried different approaches, yet still struggle with the same feelings or reactions. I especially enjoy helping those who are looking for something different—an opportunity to resolve what’s troubling them rather than simply learn to manage it.

My approach integrates RRT with mindfulness, yogic psychology, guided imagery, and mind-body practices. While some people experience significant relief in just a few sessions, others benefit from ongoing support. I’m happy to work with you for as long as it’s helpful, always aiming for each session to bring greater clarity, relief, or a meaningful step forward.

What I love most about my work is seeing people leave our sessions feeling lighter, more at ease, and with a renewed sense of hope and possibility.

DANIELLE FLIKKEMA, LSW

Hi I’m Danielle, and I am Licensed School Social Worker. I earned a masters degree in social work from Indiana University in 2017. In addition to working full-time as a high school social worker, I provide individual therapy to kids and teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and difficulty with life changes. In addition to my experience working with children of all ages in several school settings, I have clinical experience working with kids in a mental health hospital setting. I am able to accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance or self-pay. I am available for after school and early evening appointments.

MEGAN SOEN, LCSW

Hi! I’m Megan Soen and I am a licensed clinical social worker. I earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Northern Illinois University with full University honors, and a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis in mental health from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. My passion is for helping survivors of trauma, most specifically childhood sexual abuse/assault. I am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and in the process of getting certified. In addition to treating trauma, I also treat children, teens and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety and difficulty with life changes. In my previous employment, I was an advocate for children who were involved in abuse allegations, and conducted forensic interviews with child victims. I am in the following insurance networks: BCBS PPO, Aetna, Medicare, Cigna, and United Healthcare.

AMY MATTHEWS, MS, LCPC, CADC, NCC

Everyone needs help sometimes.  Life comes with challenges and finding support is important in order to face them–especially when the challenges feel like more than we can handle on our own.  I believe that every person has the strength they need with the right supports in place. I am here to offer whatever is needed: a safe place to freely speak your mind without judgment, a chance to be understood, an ally to look at situations and options, a companion to offer new ideas and perspectives.

I want to create a safe place that is neurodiversity affirming, queer affirming, body diversity affirming, and kink affirming.  My hope is for every person to be able to feel accepted, supported and validated. I believe the people I work with and that your experience is what it is, you are not required to prove it. Instead we work to understand how these experiences have shaped you. My approach is strengths-based; instead of focusing on perceived deficits, I find it is helpful to identify and build up strengths you already have as well as learning to increase self-compassion–learning to offer yourself grace and understanding.

I have been in the counseling field since 2006 and have worked in many different settings with a diverse group of people.  I have experience working with a wide variety of issues, including: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder.  

I am part of a neurodiverse family and enjoy working with Autistic, AuDHD, ADHD and neuroquestioning individuals to assist in learning more about your neurotype and how best to accommodate it. I also enjoy working with partners and parents of neurodivergent individuals who are seeking to better understand their loved ones and their own place in a neurodiverse system.

 I often work with clients in the LGTBQ+ community and am happy to offer a safe space in a world that is growing more challenging. Additionally, this is a safe space to explore other aspects of sexuality and relationships. I am kink-affirming and am happy to work with clients who are polyamorous or exploring alternative relationship structures.  

I also love working with women to explore issues that disproportionately affect women’s lives: mental and emotional load, gender disparity, body image and acceptance, and parenting issues. I have a strong interest working with body diversity, body neutrality, fat liberation, and learning to accept the body you have and what that means in this world.

Having previously worked in a recovery community for 10 years, I am also experienced at supporting individuals facing their addictions and working towards recovery, whether alcohol, drug, gambling, food or other process addictions.