Our Staff
Melisa B Bailey, PsyD (she/her)
Owner and Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Licensed to provide clinical services in the state of Illinois
I worked in mental health settings for many years before going back to get my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I found that what I have loved the most throughout my career has been the ability to meet and build relationships with other people and learn about their lives and how they see the world.
So far, I’ve worked in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice. I’ve also spent a lot of my career teaching and training others to become therapists. I started Forest Path Therapy because I wanted to create a space where a person can come to therapy, talk about their whole lives, and find support in naming their needs and goals.
I find that being in nature, specifically exploring trails in the woods, to be a process that grounds me, keeps me curious, and challenges me. I find these three things to be a combination of what good therapy also is for someone working toward change. I hope Forest Path Therapy can be a place you feel supported in your journey.
My clinical interests include working with folks around change, parenting and family creation in queer relationships, mental health care and support for Trans and Gender Diverse folks, supporting families during transition, as well as training and supervision of new and early career clinicians.
Luke W. Kohne, MA LPC(he/him)
Therapist
Licensed to provide clinical services in the state of Illinois
Welcome to therapy! As we begin our work together, I hope to become a part of your unique life-world and get to know what makes you you. I see the therapy space as an opportunity to be who you are without judgement and I strive to meet you where you are in an unimposing and nurturing manner. Whether you are seeking to explore your gender or to tackle your anxiety, we will work together to identify your values and find a path forward that aligns with your sense of self.
I have worked as a therapist since 2019, practicing in hospitals, community mental health, and private practice. I am Geek Therapy Certified and love to use your interests to explore your world and implement change. I am a queer trans man and, as such, understand the importance and, oftentimes, difficulty of finding a place where you can be accepted and cared for; I strive to make therapy one such place. I believe in the importance of relationship and I show up fully as myself in my practice; together we’ll foster an environment where authenticity, openness, playfulness, and curiosity abound.
I find great joy in working with other trans and gender diverse folks as well as teens and young adults who are focusing on identity development and interpersonal concerns. If you’re looking to explore your gender or sexuality, navigate change, tackle your ambivalence, reacquaint yourself with your creativity, or examine your interpersonal relationships, this is the space for you!