Meet Madelyn!

Madelyn Hernandez is a provisionally licensed therapist (LMSW) with Step By Step Counseling. She enjoys working with children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers. Madelyn is passionate about providing a warm, steady, and supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel genuinely understood and safe to explore their emotions. She believes deeply in each person’s capacity for growth and resilience and approaches therapy as a collaborative process rooted in trust and compassion.

Madelyn blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), play therapy foundations, and mindfulness-based strategies. She values supporting the entire family system and works closely with caregivers to strengthen communication, improve emotional connection, and build long-term skills. Her goal is to help clients better understand their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and begin feeling more grounded and confident in themselves and their relationships.

Madelyn’s clinical background includes providing direct therapeutic services to children and families through her training at Our Little Haven: Keystone Services. There, she offered individual and family therapy using CBT, play-based, and talk therapy approaches while collaborating closely with LCSWs, psychologists, and psychiatrists. She participated in case consultations, treatment planning, clinical assessments, and ongoing progress evaluations, strengthening her ability to integrate trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate interventions.

Madelyn also completed clinical training at the Greene County Children’s Division, where she supported families within the child welfare system. Her work included participating in home visits, court hearings, Family Support Team meetings, and multidisciplinary collaboration with educators, attorneys, medical professionals, and law enforcement. Through this work, she developed a strong foundation in crisis response, advocacy, family support, and system navigation.

Earlier in her career, Madelyn worked at Arc of the Ozarks, where she supported children and adults with disabilities in recreation and community engagement. She also served as a Peer Group Leader at Missouri State University, guiding social work students through academic, emotional, and community-building support.

A few areas of interest are:

• Anxiety & Worry
• Emotional Regulation
• Self-Esteem & Identity Development
• Attachment & Relationships
• Foster Care & Adoption
• School Stress & Peer Concerns
• ADHD & Autism Spectrum Support
• Grief, Loss, & Life Transitions

Articles or blogposts written by therapist

• Blog post here 🙂
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Availability and Location

Hours:

• Monday: 11-7:30
• Tuesday: 9:30-6
• Wednesday 11-7:30
• Thursday 9:30-6

Location:

• Olivette Office

Get to know Madelyn!

Outside the therapy room, Madelyn loves spending time with her fiancé and her two cats, Rocket and Groot. She is a big Marvel fan, enjoys visiting new coffee shops, taking care of her plants, and spending time outdoors walking or exercising. Friends and families often describe her as professional, welcoming, considerate, honest, and a comforting safe space. Madelyn values meaningful connection and brings warmth and authenticity into every session.

Work with Madelyn!

Madelyn can be described as warm, steady, and deeply genuine. Clients can expect a supportive environment grounded in unconditional positive regard, honest communication, and meaningful connection. Her passion for working with children and families grew from her early experiences supporting vulnerable youth and witnessing the powerful changes that occur when young people feel safe and supported.

She sees her role as a therapist as helping clients connect more deeply with themselves, their emotions, and the important relationships in their lives. Caregivers often share that Madelyn is easy to talk to, thoughtful with her feedback, and skilled at creating a calm, trusting environment. Families appreciate her gentle approach, her professionalism, and the helpful tools she provides along the way.

If you are interested in working with her, please contact our office or schedule through our online form. Madelyn would be honored to support you and your family.