Are you in a relationship where you have an unresolved issue that you can seem to find the right time or place to discuss it with your partner? Schedule it! I have been a practicing therapist for over 29 years and am also a collaborative coach. I work with couples on issues that require a neutral person to assist with healthier communication methods, conflict resolution, and a more directive approach to problem solving. I am trained in mediation as well as collaborative divorce coaching.
Whether you are in it to win it, or on the fence about separation or divorce options, I’m here to assist with coaching and consultation. I listen to both sides and assist and guide with healthier ways to communicate and problem solve. Contact me for a free consultation to see if I am the right fit for you!
Melissa Bercier received her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Social Work through Loyola University Chicago and her BA in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Bercier is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist, certified through the Traumatology Institute, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of IL, and a Collaborative Divorce Coach.
Dr. Bercier made compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma her research focus throughout her PhD program, resulting in the first systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma in mental health workers. Helping the helper is a personal, ongoing mission for Dr. Bercier.
Dr. Bercier’s experience began working in community mental health centers in Chicago. Since then, her experience expanded to psychiatric in-patient treatment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Stone Institute of Psychiatry in Chicago, IL and Montevista Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas, NV. Her experience also includes out-patient psychotherapy and group therapy at Alternatives Community Mental Health Center in Anchorage, Alaska. From 2006 to 2010 she served as the Three Rivers District Chair on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Social Workers-IL (NASW-IL). From 2010 to 2019, Dr. Bercier worked as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) therapist and affiliate for Perspectives, Ltd. working with various individual, family, and couples’ issues on a brief-treatment basis. As of January of 2018, Dr. Bercier was asked to join the Small Business Council for the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Through this position, Dr. Bercier advocates for entrepreneurs and small business owners as she meets in Washington, D.C. and other areas in the U.S. throughout the year to inform and be informed on policies that directly affect small business.
Dr. Bercier’s life goal has been to destigmatize mental health enrichment and create a more positive and healthy community for all. She believes in being authentic and providing a comfortable and compassionate environment to support Couch Clarity’s clients through meaningful and positive change. Continuing on her path with destigmatizing seeking mental health enrichment, Dr. Bercier created Theralete, therapy for athletes, in 2015. Theralete is a program designed to assist in guiding athletes into a well rounded lifestyle which includes balance of the mind, body, and soul.
Dr. Bercier’s passion with helping the helper is also a large part of her private practice and business model. Staying true to her PhD research, she continues to expand her practice continuing to create and offer exciting opportunities for growth and change for her own team.
Dr. Bercier is a Collaborative Divorce Coach. If you or someone you know is thinking about separation/divorce or deciding on a process, feel free to contact me to learn more about collaborative divorce and my coaching services. You can contact me directly at melissa@couchclarity.com or 630-280-9299.
To schedule an appointment with one of our other therapists, please use this link: https://forms.gle/gdryZPAiRmY4RZf16