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Meet the Staff


Melissa McHenry, MA, MS, LCPCMelissa McHenry

I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, before completing both a Master of Arts in Adult Psychology and a Master of Science in Child Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

My clinical career began at Alternatives Counseling, where I specialized in supporting children and families affected by child sexual abuse, self-injurious behavior, and domestic violence. In 2006, I established a private practice, providing therapy to adults, children, and families for more than a decade.

Before joining McKendree University, I served as the Psychological Director for the Air National Guard at Scott Air Force Base, gaining extensive experience working with military servicemembers and their families.

I began working at McKendree in 2015 as a part-time counselor, transitioned to full-time in 2017, and currently serve as Assistant Director of Health & Counseling Services. I greatly enjoy working with college students and am passionate about supporting their personal growth, self-discovery, and overall well-being.

 


Charles Gregory, MA, LCPC, LPCCharles Gregory

I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical–Adult Psychology from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. Since 2017, I have been serving at McKendree University Counseling Services, where I coordinate the Alcohol and Other Drug Program and the Safe Harbor Program. These initiatives provide education and counseling for students addressing substance use concerns, alongside broader mental health treatment.

My professional background spans diverse clinical and behavioral health settings. From 2015 to 2017, I provided therapy to patients in acute crisis at Gateway Regional Medical Center’s inpatient psychiatric unit. Before that, I worked as a Clinical Care Manager in Aetna’s Behavioral Health Department (2013–2015), where I offered case management, crisis support, psychoeducation, and connections to resources.

Earlier in my career, I served at Gateway Foundation (2006–2013) as Program Supervisor for the Mental Illness/Substance Abuse (MISA) program, delivering therapy to individuals living with both severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. During this same period, I also worked as a PRN therapist at Alternatives Counseling, a private practice specializing in treatment for individuals referred for sex offender and domestic batterer intervention programs.

In addition to clinical practice, I have contributed to the field through research. I co-authored an article in the Journal of Mental Health, Religion, and Culture titled The Effect of Psychologists’ Disclosure of Personal Religious Background on Prospective Clients (Gregory II, C., Pomerantz, A. M., Pettibone, J. C., & Segrist, D. J., 2008).