Qualifications:
Madison McElhinny is a Graduate Counseling Intern at Cutting Edge Counseling and is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at DePaul University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Madison has experience working with children, adolescents, and families through a variety of roles, including as an ABA therapist and as a nanny. These experiences have strengthened her passion for supporting individuals as they navigate developmental changes and transitions.
Areas of Interest:
Madison is particularly interested in working with adolescents and young adults navigating identity exploration, body image and self-esteem, interpersonal and familial relationships, and life transitions. She is passionate about helping clients develop healthy, adaptive habits and coping strategies that support their overall well-being. Madison values taking a holistic approach to understanding each client and the ways their relationships, environment, identity, and daily experiences influence their well-being.
Therapeutic Approach:
Madison primarily draws from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) perspective while incorporating person-centered principles into her work. She values psychoeducation to empower clients to better understand what they are experiencing. Madison strives to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to be authentic and explore their experiences without judgment. She hopes to help clients feel safe in their bodies and minds while developing greater self-awareness, building on their strengths, and creating meaningful, sustainable change.
More About Madison:
Madison grew up in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and now lives in Chicago. Outside of counseling, she enjoys staying active, taking yoga sculpt classes, spending