Melissa Pellmann
Counseling Intern
Melissa is a student counseling intern who is passionate about walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate life’s challenges and pursue healing and growth. She seeks to create a supportive, and collaborative environment where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. Melissa works with adolescents, couples, and adults across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relational challenges, life transitions, and spiritual questions. She welcomes clients at any stage of life who are seeking support, clarity, and personal growth.
Melissa brings a unique integration of clinical training and pastoral experience, with a heart for helping clients connect emotional healing with truth, purpose, and identity. She deeply believes that brokenness is not a destination, but a starting point, and that meaningful healing and growth are always possible. She also has a passion for helping individuals apply biblical truth in practical ways that lead to becoming a reflection of Christ in everyday life.
Personal and Professional Experience
Melissa is a wife and mother of two (a son and a daughter) who understands both the joys and complexities of family life. She brings over 24 years of ministry and outreach experience, including more than 13 years serving in East St. Louis where she led community outreach initiatives such as weekly sidewalk Sunday school programs, built meaningful, long-term relationships, and provided spiritual and emotional support to residents. Melissa brings 18 years of pastoral leadership experience that integrates both care and organizational oversight. Her work has involved guiding individuals and families through a variety of life challenges while also leading within complex systems and team environments. She has provided consistent counseling support across diverse populations, including individuals, children, and couples, with experience in areas such as relational dynamics, life transitions, and premarital preparation. This background has equipped her with a holistic, systems-oriented perspective and a grounded, compassionate approach to supporting emotional and relational well-being.
Additionally, Melissa has personal experience as a foster mother, which deeply shaped her understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of stability and care in a child’s life. She also substitute teaches locally from time to time, which allows her to stay connected to the educational environment alongside her husband, who is a fourth-grade teacher in Cahokia.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Religious Studies, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Completed coursework at RHEMA Bible Training College
In-progress Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Southern New Hampshire University
Melissa’s regular hours for appointments (in-person) are:
Mon. 4 pm - 7 pm
Tue. 4 pm - 7 pm
Thu. 9 am - 5 pm
Payment Options:
Self-Pay
If you would like to contact Melissa, she can be reached at mpellmann@compasscc.org
Melissa’s clinical supervisor is Dan Free LCPC.