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Melissa Franzen

Melissa Franzen

Assistant Professor, Practicum/Internship Coordinator

    Westlake Hall 340
    (309) 677-3541
   mfranzen@bradley.edu

 

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision - Walden University
M.A. in Human Development Counseling - University of Illinois at Springfield
B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology - Illinois College

Biography

My professional journey began in 2003 where I worked in social services while I earned my Master’s degree and then began counseling children in the specialized foster care system. In 2012 I transitioned out of foster care and into Higher education where I provided Clinical counseling/Crisis services and advising to students. This is also where I began teaching and went back to school for my Ph.D. About a year after I completed my final degree I began looking into full-time teaching opportunities. Bradley was the first of three institutions I applied to and I could not be more blessed to be given the opportunity to work here and serve our students.

Teaching

Classes I teach at Bradley include: Theories, Group Counseling, Couples and Family, Neurocounseling, Practicum, and Internship.

I approach teaching from a constructivist and experiential lens. I believe engaging the students in experiences allows them to apply the information from their texts to real life situations. This provides the opportunity for deeper understanding and reflection over the information from not only the content but also the experiences themselves.

Scholarship

ACES National Conference (10/2023): Presenter: The CLASS of LIFE: Couples and Family Edition

IACFC State Conference: Pre-Conference Presenter: The CLASS of LIFE: Couples and Family Edition

ACA National Conference & Expo (2023) Presenter: Handbook for Human Sexuality Counseling

Chapter Co-Author: Schubert, A. (2022) Handbook for Human Sexuality Counseling: A Sex Positive Approach.

AHC Nation Conference (2022) Presenter- Round Table: Helping in the Home.

Service

Bradley University ECL- Counseling Program- Curriculum Committee - member

Bradley University ECL- Counseling Program - Clinical Committee - Chair

Bradley University ECL- Counseling Program- Residency Committee - Member

Bradley University - EHS - Elections Committee - Member

Bradley University - Contractual Agreements Committee (Fall 23-26 term)- Member

Illinois Association for Mental Health Counselors - Member

Illinois Counseling Association - Member

American Counseling Association - Member

Association Counselor Education & Supervision - Member

ACES Advocacy Interest Network - Member

ACES Advocacy Interest Network, Research Sub-committee - Chair

Association for Play Therapy - Member

Kids Good Grief Camp (Annual) - Director/Organizer

Licensures and Certifications

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois