About us

Melanie’s affiliations include: The American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the Illinois Counseling Association (past president) the Illinois Association for Adult Development and Aging (past president), and the West Central Illinois Professional Counselors Association Chapter of ICA. She was an On-Site Team Member for the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs.

In 2011 Melanie received the ICA Robert J. Nejedlo Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership in a number of roles within chapters, divisions, state, regional, national, and/or international professional counseling organizations. In 2003 she received the C. A. Michelman Award for outstanding service and for making significant contributions toward raising professional counseling standards. A colleague shared that Melanie “has left a legacy in every arena in which she has participated by leaving it better off than when she arrived.” This service has been and is near and dear to her.

Melanie is President of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Counseling Association Foundation. In 2005 she led a dedicated team to establish the Foundation. This capstone in her professional contributions took an extraordinary amount of time and effort. The Foundation awards professional development, research and social issues grants. In 2007, the Melanie E. Rawlins Research Grant was named in her honor. Please visit w

Psychologist and Counselor