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