Melissa Hill, LCSW
Founder, CEO
Hypnotherapist, EMDR Specialist
"My connection to this area runs deep. I grew up nearby in Naperville, and after years of appreciating the unique character of the western suburbs, I chose to make the tri-cities of Kane County my home and professional base in 2019.
Since then, I haven’t just worked in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia—I have lived, volunteered, and grown alongside these communities. I believe that being a therapist means being an active part of the ecosystem I serve. Whether I am volunteering locally or supporting community initiatives in Kane County, my goal is to give back to the places that have given me so much.
I understand the transition from the bustling energy of Naperville to the scenic, community-centric life along the Fox River. This personal history allows me to deeply relate to my clients—whether you’re a long-term resident of Batavia, Geneva or someone newly settling into St. Charles. I’m not just providing a service; I’m supporting the mental wellness of my own community."
About Melissa
Melissa is the founder of St. Charles Advanced Therapy™, established in 2016. As a licensed Psychotherapist, Transpersonal Coach, EMDR Specialist, and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, she brings a wealth of experience to her practice, serving adolescents, adults, couples, and families since 1992.
Approach to Therapy
Melissa's treatment model is eclectic, though she most often utilizes a psychodynamic approach. This involves delving into unconscious psychological processes, such as wishes and fears, and exploring childhood experiences that shape adult personality. To bring unconscious beliefs to the surface and facilitate positive behavioral change, Melissa incorporates various techniques including EMDR, Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, Polyvagal Theory, Subtle Energy Healing, and Past-Life Regressions. These tools are particularly effective for clients dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related illnesses.
Background and Experience
Melissa is a 1986 graduate of Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois. She earned her B.S. in Psychology cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990, where her honors thesis was published in two peer-reviewed psychology journals. She went on to earn her M.S.W. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1992. During her internship at the Institute for Juvenile Research, she received foundational training in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model directly from its founder, Dick Schwartz. Her early clinical career included serving as an adolescent case coordinator at Linden Oaks Hospital in Naperville, Illinois and supervising masters-level therapists for a DCFS-contracted foster care agency.
Following a seventeen-year tenure in financial services—during which she maintained an active private practice—Melissa returned to her clinical roots with a focus on helping those with trauma. In 2011, she began intensive training in Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy and Breathwork at the Wellness Institute in Issaquah, Washington, eventually earning certifications in Transpersonal Coaching and PTI Leadership.
In 2014, Melissa’s path led her to her mentor and beloved teacher, the late Dr. Yvonne Christman, Ph.D., D.Sc., founder of the School for Conscious Change. Over six years of immersive study, Melissa honed her mastery of subtle energy healing and past-life regressions. This period of deep mentorship allowed her to integrate her clinical psychology background with a profound understanding of the energetic body, resulting in a unique, holistic approach that addresses the soul as much as the psyche.
Professional Credentials
Education
M.S.W. (with honors) – University of Illinois at Chicago
B.S. Psychology (Cum Laude, Psychology Honors Program) – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Trained by founder Dick Schwartz, Institute for Juvenile Research (IJR)
Published Researcher – Contributor to two peer-reviewed psychology journals
Certifications
Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy – The Wellness Institute
Breathwork Practitioner – The Wellness Institute
Transpersonal Coaching – The Wellness Institute
PTI Leadership Certification – The Wellness Institute
Subtle Energy & Regression Mastery – The School for Conscious Change
Beyond the Office: Rooted in Kane County, Illinois
"I believe that the best care comes from a provider who truly understands the environment where their clients live, work, and play. Having grown up nearby in Naperville, I was drawn back to the area’s unique character and have been a proud resident of this community since 2019.
My commitment to the Tri-Cities extends beyond my clinical practice. I am a firm believer in the power of local advocacy and currently serve as a volunteer with CASA of Kane County, supporting children within our local court systems. My love for our community also extends to our four-legged feline residents through my work with Anderson Humane, and I remain globally minded through my support of Samaritan’s Purse.
As the Founder of the Fox River Community Peace Movement, I am dedicated to fostering connection and mental wellness across St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and beyond. Whether I’m volunteering or enjoying cleaning the Fox River, I am honored to be a part of the community I serve." ~ Melissa
