Melissa Hill is the founder of St. Charles Advanced Therapy, established in 2020. 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, Breathwork, Past-Life Regressions, and Subtle Energy Healing. These tools are particularly effective for clients dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related illnesses.

Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy

Melissa also specializes in Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, a unique and safe method for accessing inner strength and wisdom stored in the unconscious mind. By conducting "talk therapy" in a relaxed state, clients can bypass mental defenses and directly address the source of their pain. This approach has shown significant results for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, trauma/PTSD, and psychosomatic complaints.

Background and Experience

Melissa earned her B.S. in Psychology cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986, where her honors thesis was later published in two psychology journals. She went on to receive her M.S.W. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1992. During her internship at the Institute for Juvenile Research, she was trained in the Internal Family Systems model by its founder, Dick Schwartz. Her career began as an adolescent case coordinator at Linden Oaks Hospital and later included supervising masters-level therapists for a foster care agency contracted by DCFS.

After a 17-year career in financial services, during which she maintained a private practice, Melissa began her training in heart-centered hypnotherapy at the Wellness Institute in Issaquah, Washington, in 2011. She subsequently earned her certificate in transpersonal coaching and PTI Leadershi. Her diverse experience in both the business world and psychotherapy uniquely positions her to address mental and emotional challenges in the workplace through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

Personal Interests

An avid pet lover, Melissa enjoys golfing, pickleball, and horseback riding. She resides in St. Charles, IL.

To learn more about Melissa's services, you can contact her at mhill@stcharlesadvancedtherapy.com

Melissa later transitioned to the corporate world for a 17-year career in financial services while continuing to see clients in private practice. In 2011, she began her training in heart-centered hypnotherapy at the Wellness Institute in Issaquah, Washington. She later received her certificate in transpersonal coaching and PTI Leadership from the Wellness Institute.

Melissa’s variety of experiences in the business arena as well as psychotherapy make her uniquely able to service EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) to address many of the mental and emotional challenges that arise in the workplace.

Melissa is an avid pet lover and enjoys golfing, pickleball and horseback riding. She resides in St. Charles, IL. Contact Melissa at mhill@stcharlesadvancedtherapy.com to learn more!