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Melissa Ford

Melissa Ford

Location: Oak Park, IL
(15 minutes west of Chicago’s Loop)

Phone: 708-417-0235

Email: melissa@optionmethodnetwork.com

Experience: Melissa brings over ten years of experience as an Option Method educator and practitioner to her work with individuals and groups ~ teaching people the "how to" of positive change. Melissa develops and presents interactive, through-provoking programs on a variety of topics from parenting, relationships, health and fitness, to emotional wellness. All programs educate participants about the power of their thoughts/beliefs, personal power of choice, and effective tools to change limiting beliefs that create unhappiness and unwanted behaviors. Currently, she is a member of the Option Method Network and holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois and a J.D.from DePaul University - College of Law.

Services Offered: The Option Method (whether experienced in a group dynamic or one-on-one in a dialogue/consultation setting) is a self-educational, self-exploratory method that anyone can use to assist themselves to feel happier and experience more of what they want out of life! Melissa offers introductory workshops and in-depth program series based on the Option Method principles as well as custom workshops for groups and organizations. On an individual basis, she offers in person and/or telephone Option Method dialogues and consultations. Nighttime and weekend schedules can be accommodated.

Schedule a Dialogue with Melissa

Interview...

How and why did you become an Option Practitioner?
"A little over ten years ago I sat in a therapist’s office and was asked: “Melissa, if you could be happy, would you?” I thought the question was ludicrous but at the same time amazing. Would I be happy? I couldn’t seem to wrap my mind around the question. Well, of course I would – but the question implied I had a choice in the matter. What? A choice? It was the first time (and I was stunned) I realized that I was in charge of how I felt. From that point on I went on a journey of self-discovery and started to look at why I was choosing unhappiness (i.e. anger, (one of my favorites), guilt, irritation, etc) in order to take care of myself.

Steve (my friendly therapist) recommended I read a book written by Barry Kaufman entitled To Love Is To Be Happy With. From the time I read that book, studied at the Option Institute, and did self-dialogues – I was hooked. I had found my passion, my own answers, the ability to access my own happiness, and my life. I continued to study, teach, and live Option and I continue to examine and change the beliefs I hold which limit my happiness.

My marriage underwent profound changes as well as my relationships with my children as I became more and more responsible for my own feelings and experiences. I became clearer as to how I wanted to live and how I wanted to be with the people in my life. And, I had the wonderful fortune to continue to examine my beliefs, learn to love and accept myself along with my dear friend, Karen Taylor. We listened, loved, laughed and asked questions to help ourselves discover our own answers and our happiness. And we continue on this journey today.

So, I can’t think of a better gift or more loving way to be with someone than to accept them, be totally present, listen to them, and ask a question that might lead to a belief that creates their discomfort. The Option Method dialogue is a powerful tool that can lead to change and personal freedom."

What do you think makes you a good OM Practitioner?
"In a dialogue, I have experienced the sweetness of acceptance, the loving questions, and the beauty of being given the space to look within and find my own answers by an Option Method Practitioner. Personally knowing the value and power of this experience, I feel privileged to offer the dialogue to others who are looking for change on a permanent basis."

Is there anything you would want me to know before scheduling a dialogue with you?

  1. "You are in charge of the dialogue and the direction it takes.
  2. Anything you uncover can only benefit you. Often I find people are afraid to look at what they believe because they might uncover something they don’t want to know, that would be bad for them.
  3. Know that the question is only a tool (not a judgment) to allow you to go further and uncover a belief.
  4. You are your own best expert and you have your own answers." 

How can I get the most out of a dialogue with you?
"How much you get out of a dialogue session depends on you. Personally, when I do I dialogue I find I will go much farther in uncovering my beliefs and changing if:

  1. I accept what I believe and not judge it. (It’s ok I believe what I believe.)
  2. I accept the question being asked as an offer to help me uncover a belief rather than a judgment against me.
  3. I believe I can change and I want to change."

How long are your dialogue sessions?
"Normally, a dialogue lasts between 1 – 1-1/2 hours. I am open to discussing any arrangement you would like to make in terms of length of a dialogue."

What issues have you dialogued with others on?
"Over the last ten years I have dialogued on almost all issues. Marriage, relationships, job-related issues, health, money, and self-esteem. You can dialogue about any subject to become clearer about what you want. Any topic is fair game."

What hours are you available for a dialogue and can I dialogue in person or over the phone?
"My schedule is flexible and I am willing to accommodate any one interested in a dialogue whether it be nighttime or weekend schedules. I do dialogues in person for any one located in the Chicagoland area and I am always available over the phone for a session."

Do you offer workshops/seminars? If so, where and when will they be? What is the topic? How can I get more information about them?
 Melissa Ford and Karen Taylor offer experiential workshops, seminars and classes in the Option Method in the Chicagoland area. We also offer workshops specifically tailored to your requirements. For more information and/or for scheduling please contact either Melissa Ford at 708-660-9992 or Karen Taylor at 708-748-6914

Schedule a Dialogue with Melissa

Referrals...

"Melissa’s deep commitment to creating joy in her life through the Option Method has been contagious. I was blessed to watch her transform her personal life, and when I finally asked “how can I get some of that” I began to receive the gift of a dialogue from a uniquely dedicated Option Method Practitioner. For several years Melissa has led me in dialogues, which have been life changing for me. Melissa enters in to a dialogue with a clear, loving focus on the participant, and an open, nonjudgmental attitude. The result is an environment that is safe, nourishing and wide open for the dialoguer to do her work."

"As a psychotherapist, I am familiar with many healing techniques. The Option Method has been one of the most powerful roads to happiness that I have found. Melissa’s intelligence, clarity, sense of humor and commitment are a testament to her and the Option Method."
- Kathleen Jacob LCSW

"With my Option Method dialogues, Melissa has introduced a whole new way of approaching life to me. I am thankful to have Melissa in my life and to have the opportunity to dialogue with her."
- Kim Bode PharmD

"I have come to understand that my unhappiness is always a result of my beliefs. And, my perception (uniquely mine) of reality comes from what I believe. Melissa has lovingly given me the gift of the question (lots of questions) many times over the years and through these questions I have uncovered the beliefs that I hold that create my unhappiness. By becoming aware of what I believe I am then free to change if I want. Melissa never tells me what to think or offers advice. She believes I have my own answers (which I do) and that I am capable of creating my own happiness. I am grateful for Melissa’s love and the gift of the questions."
- Charlene Black, Masters SchAdM, JD

"I have benefited enormously from dialogues and they are an on-going part of my life because of the powerful ways they help me to connect with my inner wisdom and creativity. My dialogues with Melissa are always very helpful. She is completely accepting and respectful. Because she remains totally focused on what I am saying her questions are extremely useful and really help me greatly to gain clarity. Melissa is truly an excellent Option Method Practitioner."
- Ruth Rankin

"Melissa introduced the concept of dialogues into my life when I was expressing extreme unhappiness with a situation in my life. Having introduced to me a few years earlier to the concept of 'choosing happiness,' I was excited to experience more of her infectious spirit. During the dialogues, as I felt uncomfortable feelings and issues arise, Melissa was calmly, reassuringly there - kind of like a gentle light on the path at my feet. The path was mine, and it was mine to walk, but she helped illuminate that it was just a path, and nothing to be afraid of. Her questioning, and to be honest, her entire being, seem to be saturated with a glow of love and acceptance. With a gentleness and an infectious sense of humor and love of life, Melissa has helped me learn to ask myself questions that help clarify my beliefs and remind me that I hold the power to unleash my own happiness.
- Darrel Wood

Schedule a Dialogue with Melissa

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