Melissa Schleicher-Park

I am a somatically-focused mental health therapist, iRest Level 2 Meditation Teacher and Certified First Responder Counselor. Since graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2011, she has worked in community mental health centers throughout Chicago providing counsel, education in trauma-informed care and support in recovery from the effects of chronic and severe mental illness. 

In 2021, Melissa joined a group of wellness professionals at Chicago’s Swedish Hospital to develop a wellness program devoted to providing mental health support, wellness education and workplace stress management for healthcare professionals hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through generous support from the Swedish Hospital Foundation, Melissa has become a facilitator of Mental Health First Aid, is trained in Critical Incident Response through ICISF and in 2022 completed certification as a Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC). She is passionate about educating anyone who will talk to her about the role mental health plays in every person’s wellbeing, quality of life and ability to form meaningful connections throughout this wild ride we call “life”.