Therapists in Jackson County, MO

Hi . I am Gilda and I am excited that you found me. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I love working with people with a trauma history. In my work I utilize art, cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy or narrative therapy to help you break from trauma bondage and addiction behaviors. Many times I find the Light and the Truth through play. When the inner child is hurt, feelings of rejection, abandonment, humiliation, betrayal and injustice keep you stuck in experiences of abuse. By living in the present you take your power back and respond to real situations rather than reacting to triggers of past experiences.

Are you or your child/teen feeling extra anxious these days? It makes sense given that the last few years have brought challenges that we are all still trying to understand! Whether you're a young person, a parent or a seasoned adult, we all need to sit with someone who deeply cares and listens to our story and can help us work through the complexities of being human- no matter what your age is! I am here for you.

I greet you with acceptance and an open heart. Life can throw surprises or maybe you've hit a roadblock and realize something has to change? Counseling provides a safe and confidential space to share worry, fear, sadness, anger, hopes and dreams, and then learn tools to deal with any challenge in your life. Call me now if you seek a path to the happy and serene life you deserve.

In a world full of judgment, we need someone we can be vulnerable with. We need someone we can talk to about the uncomfortable thoughts and emotions associated with fears and insecurities. We need someone we can bounce ideas off of to find perspective. In a world full of judgment, we need a nonjudgmental someone who can be kind, empathetic, and psychological educated to help us grow in self and life contentment. My 32 years of cosmetology and services industry work, along with my achievement of honors in both my BA and MA, has allowed me to build acceptance, wisdom, perspective, and awareness in my therapeutic approach.

My experiences working with individuals facing addiction, mental health, and crises have been eye-opening and transformative. I have witnessed firsthand the pain, despair, and feelings of hopelessness that individuals in crisis experience. However, I have also seen the incredible resilience and strength that individuals possess when provided with the right support and resources. It is this resilience that fuels my determination to make a difference and offer a helping hand to those in need. I am deeply committed to the principles of empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental support in my work.

OFFERING REDUCED FEE (PHONE OR VIDEO) TO ALL FIRST RESPONDERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19. I hold a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and treat a variety of emotional issues for adults and couples. I provide diagnostic testing and treatment of ADHD, mood disorders, and substance abuse/addiction issues. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal Therapy for depression, anxiety, family conflict and overall addiction/impulse control. Bilingual Spanish-English.

Life can be challenging, especially in our fast-paced transient society. I work with adults, teens, and children of all ages. I specialize in Marriage Conflict and Parent-Child conflict with a large portion of my business devoted to adolescents. From Social Anxiety, to ADHD and chronic depression. I am trained in PLAY THERAPY, EMDR, Veteran's Deployment Psychology, CBT and much more. "Friendly, but professional," describes how most clients see me. I love what I do and look forward to working with you.

Making the decision to seek help is the the first step towards living a healthier, happier life. The second step is finding the right therapist. I believe that success in therapy is dependent on the strength of the relationship between the counselor and client. I view myself as an advocate, a catalyst for change, and an objective sounding board, rather than an expert who can listen to your problems for an hour and then magically know how to run your life better than you do. You are the expert on you! My job is to help you learn how to help yourself.

We're all faced with challenges, big and small. Sometimes these grow to overpower and overwhelm us. The adults, children, and families I work with say that I help them feel heard, valued, comfortable, and that I provide a safe place to explore options and pick the right solutions.

If you need to make a positive change in your life, you are not alone. My passion is to help you work through the things in your life that hurt you. Together, we will create your personalized plan that will lead you to happiness and peace. I deliver quality care in a safe and nurturing environment. I offer trust, respect, confidentiality, and compassion so you are more comfortable sharing your story. Are you ready to begin the journey of healing and change with me?

Whether you are struggling in your relationship, dealing with loneliness from the multiple issues we've dealt with the past year (pandemic, grief, trauma), or simply needing to process some things with someone objectively, I believe the therapeutic relationship can be a platform for deep transformation and continued growth.

Have you ever wanted to begin counseling, but didn’t feel like your problems were big enough? Or, have you ever ghosted a therapist because you didn’t feel helped? Me too. So, we go it alone - doing everything to change ourselves and our relationships. We continuously find ourselves stuck between what we want to do and what we “should” do. This dilemma often shows up as anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. That’s why it’s my mission to provide approachable counseling that works.