Trance Successful

Melanie was trained first in client centered work as introduced by Carl Rogers and then Gene Gendlin, both of the University of Chicago. During her three years with The Focusing Institute, she became a qualified trainer of Focusing. This simple six step process allows an individual to work on any issue by concentrating on how it “feels” in the body, rather than how it is in the head.

What makes this safe is that the client doesn’t even have to say what the issue is to the therapist, just how it feels internally.

It was extremely beneficial for Jones to work with therapists from around the world during this period. Each brought their own skill set and way of working that she was able to learn and then incorporate into her own style. At the same time, she realized for people with serious issues, more training would be essential and an advanced degree in the field of mental health mandatory.

Jones chose the Illinois School of Professional Psychology to get her master’s degree because all of the professors are working professionals with active practices. She completed her degree in 2003 and was licensed the same year.

Since then she has done a variety of advanced training in marriage counseling, grief and loss counseling, and stress management.  During this time, she also became interested in issues related to gender identity and realized very few therapist specialize in this community. She joined the international organization for mental health and medical professionals, formerly known as the Harry Benjamin International Gender Identity Association (HBIGDA) which is now WPATH. She has attended the biannual conferences   throughout the years and spoken nationally and internally on this topic. She is a supporter of TriEss, the national organization for cross-dressers and their families and has presented at many of their local and national meetings and conventions.

Today she works with married couples on relationship issues, those with addictions, and a myriad of other issues. She is a life coach as well as a counselor and hypnotherapist, using whichever tools and training each individual needs for life enhancement. She has office hours Monday through Saturday at 16860 S. Oak Park Ave, Suite 104, Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment, call 708305-3680 or email, [email protected].