Melissa Mikkonen

Melissa Mikkonen has a diverse work experience in the mental health field. Melissa is currently serving as the Principal Program Manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Prior to this, they worked at People Incorporated Mental Health Services where they held various roles including Director of Operations and Licensed Senior Program Manager. Melissa'sresponsibilities at People Incorporated included leadership of foundational health and wellness services, integrated care, and clinical quality management implementation and oversight.

Melissa also had some involvement with professional associations, such as the Minnesota Social Service Association and the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH), where they made presentations on relevant topics.

Earlier in their career, Melissa worked at Guild Incorporated as the Director of Care Management, Clinical Supervisor of Care Coordination, and Team Leader/Clinical Supervisor of an ACT Team. Melissa provided clinical direction, managed relationships with payers, and focused on integrating mental health and primary care.

Before joining Guild Incorporated, Melissa worked as a Clinical Therapist at Cashman Center, providing individual and couples psychotherapy. Melissa also volunteered over 250 hours of counseling to veterans and their families through the Give an Hour organization.

At the start of their career, Melissa served as the Crisis Line Supervisor at The Sexual Violence Center, where they provided supervision for a sexual assault crisis line and offered trauma counseling to victims during medical advocacies.

Overall, Melissa Mikkonen has demonstrated expertise in program management, leadership, clinical supervision, integrated care, and trauma counseling throughout their work experiences.

Melissa Mikkonen, MA, LPCC has a strong educational background in counseling psychology. Melissa earned their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology from Hamline University, where they studied from 1998 to 2002. Following their undergraduate studies, Melissa pursued their Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Saint Thomas from 2002 to 2005.

In 2014 and 2015, Melissa further enhanced their knowledge and skills by attending the Adler Graduate School, where they focused on Counseling Psychology. Though no specific degree is mentioned, it can be inferred that they gained additional training and expertise in their field during this period.

Melissa also holds extra certifications to complement their education. In 2013, they obtained their Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health. Additionally, they are enrolled in a Mini MBA program at the University of St. Thomas, which they are expected to complete in November 2023.

Overall, Melissa Mikkonen's educational journey indicates their commitment to the field of counseling psychology and their continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional development.