Empowering Minds - Ottawa, Illinois

Heather Miller

I've seen Melinda now for almost 6 years. I had tried 7 other therapists in the area and never felt 100% comfortable like I do with her. I have had issues where I needed to be seen quickly and instead of making me wait to our next scheduled appointment she has picked up the phone from her own home and walked me through emergencies. She takes the care to listen to what I am feeling and helps me learn how to healthily cope with instances in my life. I personally love to see little Ms.Stella (the dog) in the office. She makes me smile every time I see her. Truth be told I owe Melinda alot more than just a 5 star review on Google. She's helped me more than I can ever thank her for.

Sarah Taylor

Melinda is one of the best counselors I have had the pleasure of working with! She has a way about her that makes it easy to open up to and trust. It's like talking to my best friend. She is easy going and not uptight. She gives you honest feedback that is therapeutic to the healing process. She is a real person and I love that! I have significantly improved since seeing her for the last year and my life has greatly improved because of it! Thank you Melinda!!!!!!!

Gen Imm

I have seen Melinda for a few years now. She has helped me over come so many struggles, and fears. The office is very calm, and relaxing and she is very easy to talk to! If I ever have an issue she will always make time for an appointment even if it’s a phone call. I am truly thankful for her and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her help. I will never see another therapist. She is by far the best one I have ever seen, and will continue to see. Highly recommend!

Paige Ebener

Melinda is a wonderful counselor! She has helped from individual counseling, to marriage counseling, to youth behavioral counseling for our family. We love her laid back, realistic approach. She helps make sure you are being held accountable for your actions and that you are putting forth the effort you want to see in yourself and in your life. Also, she’s hilarious which makes for good, positive energy during sessions! Highly recommended!

Lauren Bailey

My husband and I sought out a therapist last year after we hit a rough patch.Over the course of the last year Melinda has helped us get back to us. She has taught us how to communicate better, have more patience for one another and helped us uncover things about ourselves we didn't know. Through couples sessions she has helped us individually grow into the husband/wife we want to be in our family. Not only has Melinda been a blessing to my husband and I, when our daughter with ADHD started exhibiting new ticks that became concerning, I asked her if she could start sessions with her and without hesitation she said yes.

Our daughter has been seeing Melinda as well for a few months now and has grown more self aware and stopped the new behavior she was originally being seen for. She has helped her with her anxiety and taught her different coping mechanisms for her ADHD.

As someone who has seen therapists in the past, I myself have never felt more comfortable with a therapist than I do with Melinda. My husband and I both never feel judged and leave feeling optimistic about our future. She has always been honest and straight forward with who she is and what she expects from her patients during the process.

Alexandra Wallace

Super Shady... brought my daughter there twice. We were originally told our Medicaid insurance was accepted. After the second visit we were contacted by the receptionist who was clearly calling from a car telling us our insurance would not cover the whole cost of the visit. She claimed there was a copay that needed to be made in cash. Medicaid never has a co-pay..NEVER, and the cash thing seemed like a total scam. Well, we never went back, I never dropped off a pile of cash to the receptionist and now about 2 years later they just withdrew money from my bank account. I don't believe this is even legal in any way. I am following up with my attorney presently.

Angela Pifer

I can’t speak highly enough about Melinda. She has helped me find my confidence and self-worth. She is attentive and shows an abundance of compassion. Her knowledge and techniques have been nothing shy of a success during my journey of finding my happiness again. Thank you, Melinda for all of your help and patience.

Alyssa

Melinda Vesely has got to be one of thee best therapists that I have ever had. She has done what all the others failed to do. And finally after years of searching gave me the answers I needed to grow. I would have never imagined myself coming so far and I owe her a huge thank you. She is witty and real. She is funny and laid back. More like going to meet with a friend rather than a mental therapy session. I'm blessed to have found a therapist that generally cares more about the patient then about the payment. Highly, highly recommend her. She keeps it real.