Our Clinical Counseling Team
KIMBERLY LECHNER, PH.D., LCPC, NCC, PEL
Dr. Kimberly Melton Lechner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who is nationally board certified (NCC). She also has a Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Psychology and School Administration. Kim completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Arts in School Psychology at Governors State University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Northern Illinois University. Kim has pursued post-doctoral training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Theraplay, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Kim founded Kids First Collaborative after spending fifteen years working in public schools as a Behavior Interventionist, School Psychologist, and a Student Services/Special Education Administrator. During her tenure, she twice received the Those Who Excel Award in the team category from the Illinois State Board of Education. Additionally, she was honored to receive the Crystal Apple- Champion For Children Award for her work as a student services administrator.
Kim is a deeply compassionate counselor who is passionate about her clinical work as a therapist. She has a special interest in supporting women, children, teens, and parents of children with complex medical needs and other disabilities. Additionally, Kim appreciates providing therapy for other therapists who need support. Kim is credentialed through the Illinois Early Intervention System through which she supports eligible birth-3-year-old children and their families. She has considerable experience teaching masters and doctoral level students in clinical mental health and psychology programs, and she enjoys training and supervising other counselors.
Kim is deeply engaged in advocacy efforts on behalf of children with special needs both locally and nationally. Specifically, she co-facilitates the Student Services Parent Advisory Council and volunteers as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Special Education for her local school district. Additionally, she is a member of the Family Advisory Board for Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. In her free time, Kim enjoys reading, connecting with friends, and being with her husband and seven-year-old daughter.
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PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS
• Lechner, K. M. (2017). Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Standards in a High School Setting: A Case Study. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.
• Carlson, J., Snow, K., & Melton, K. (2004). Family Treatment of Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder. In M. M. MacFarlane (Ed.), Family Treatment of Personality Disorders: Advances in Clinical Practice, (pp. 241-272). New York: Haworth Press.
• Sperry, L., Carlson, J., Kjos, D., & Melton, K. (2003). Becoming an Effective Therapist: Student Handbook, Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Wilson, S. G., Smith, S. B., Chesler, E. J., Melton, K. A., Haas, J. J., Mitton, B., Strasburg, K. J., Hubert, L., Rodriguez-Zas, S. L., & Mogil, J. S. (2003). The Heritability of Antinociception: Common Pharmacogenetic Mediation of Five Neurochemically Distinct Analgesics. Journal of Experimental Therapeutics, 304, 547-559.
• Carlson, J., Kjos, D., Snow, K., & Melton, K. (2002). Theories and Strategies of Family Therapy: Student Handbook. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Wilson, S. G., Mitton, B. A., Haas, J. J., Melton, K. A., & Mogil, J. S. (2000). The Heritability of Pain Inhibition: Pharmacogenetic Mediation of Multiple Analgesic Modalities. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 26:2189.
• Wilson, S. G., Melton, K. A., Wickesburg, R. E., & Mogil, J. S. (1999). Strain Dependent Antinociception from the Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist, WIN 55, 212-2. Society of Neuroscience Abstracts, 25:924. -
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
SONJA GARRETT MELTON, LPC, PEL
Sonja Garrett Melton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She also has a Professional Educators License (PEL) in School Counseling and Elementary Education. Sonja comes to Kids First Collaborative with over 20 years experience supporting children and their families in educational settings and more recently in clinical practice. She has an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Depaul University and a Masters in Counseling and Mental Health from the University of Arizona. Sonja has pursued post-graduate training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Through her experience as an elementary teacher and school counselor, Sonja has passionately advocated for social and emotional and mental health services for children and families. Sonja has experience working with individuals across the developmental spectrum from preschool to adulthood. Sonja has a deep understanding and sense of empathy for parents of children who are facing challenging times, and she is committed to helping caregivers navigate parenthood. She also enjoys working with women who need support managing life’s many stressors. Sonja has a strong knowledge of social and emotional learning standards and enjoys collaborating with families, school practitioners, and other therapists to help children manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, inattentiveness, and emotional dysregulation so that they can reach their goals.
Sonja is committed to community volunteerism and engagement. While living in Arizona, she served as the Vice President of her local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and was a contributing author for her community newspaper. In her free time, Sonja enjoys being outside, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• American School Counseling Association (ASCA).
TAYLOR VINCENT, RBT
Taylor Vincent is pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Governors State University where she is also participating in a grant-funded, year-long intensive training program in treating trauma and providing trauma-informed care. Taylor completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University and graduated cum laude. She also has a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Sports Counseling and Student-Athlete Mental Wellness. Taylor joins Kids First Collaborative as an intern with experience in providing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Through her experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Taylor has encouraged, supported, and inspired individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder by increasing social, emotional, and adaptive living skills. Under the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Taylor has had the opportunity to positively affect children and teens by teaching clients to utilize effective communication skills and behaviors in a variety of different social contexts.
In addition to her work with Kids First Collaborative, Taylor is gaining extensive experience working as an intern with adolescents in the intensive inpatient program at Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital (SOBH). She spends her time at SOBH using evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help teens ages 13-17 suffering from anxiety, depression, mood disorders, self-harm behaviors and other mental health needs. Taylor motivates adolescents to reach their full potential through individual, group, and family therapy. Taylor fosters open and honest communication about feelings and emotions, as well as healthy behaviors.
Taylor is extremely passionate about helping people live full and meaningful lives. During her free time, Taylor enjoys playing with her dog, coaching gymnastics, and spending time with her family.
SAMI JOSEPH, LCSW, PEL
Sami Joseph is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She also has a Professional Educators License (PEL) in School Social Work. Sami completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Indiana University and attained her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Sami has over a decade of experience working with individuals with varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds. She has pursued post-graduate training in Social Thinking, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Sami has gained her extensive clinical experience primarily as a School Social Worker (ages 3-21). She also has expertise working with eligible children with disabilities (ages 0-3) and their families through the Illinois Early Intervention System. Sami has supported high school graduates with disabilities in post-secondary education programs, and she has supported adolescents with significant emotional and behavioral needs in therapeutic day school settings .
Sami is passionate about the work she does with children, adolescents, and young adults. She is driven by making a difference in each of her client’s lives. Sami has experience working with children of all abilities, and has a special interest in supporting children with emotional, behavioral, and medical challenges. She is highly collaborative and invites caregivers, outside therapists, and school staff to be a part of a child’s growth. Sami is particularly skilled at treating individuals who struggle with emotional and behavioral regulation, depression, anxiety, crisis intervention, play skills, and social skills.
In her spare time, Sami enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and dog. They enjoy being outside, playing board games, and watching movies.