Therapists in Missouri

I went into the field of psychology because I love helping people transform to the best version of themselves. We all need a safe place to understand ourselves and how we relate to others/self. I often say "We need to be Mindful of our Total-Well Being and that our minds and our bodies are an inter-connected systems. Where the mind goes, so does the man or woman in their actions and body states. We go to the physician for our physical health, so how much healthier would we be if we went to our psychologist for our mental health?" At heart, I am a holistic practitioner and love seeing my clients Thrive.

What if you could wake up tomorrow and finally feel better? What if you were living the life you truly desired? Therapy allows us to find real solutions to our greatest challenges. Perhaps your relationship or marriage is in a rut, your anxiety has left you paralyzed and fearful, or your depression has kept you in bed for weeks. Whatever your struggle is, I am here to offer a warm, helping hand so that we can help you get back to living your life. I seek to provide a safe space to work through your complex and unique challenges to foster lasting transformation. You weren't meant to merely survive, but to thrive.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, and groups with a wide variety of presenting concerns. I have experience working in outpatient settings, residential treatment programs, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, and as an adjunct professor for the University of Missouri.

For 30yrs, I have had the distinct privilege of working with hundreds of traumatized clients, couples, & fellow mental health professionals. Though many are shattered by grave emotional injuries, they find a way to rise up, face themselves and others, heal bravely, and transform their lives. With my clients, I hope to forge a close, safe, & collaborative relationship where clients may achieve significant emotional growth. To do so, clients & I identify treatment strategies that heal wounds, resolve symptoms, change behaviors, cultivate a strong voice, revive joy, engage authenticity, & support courageous, wholehearted living.

Now accepting online clients! I am a board certified telemental health counselor providing online counseling for residents of Missouri. I currently offer online sessions for individuals, couples, and families. I have worked for several large community mental health agencies, a local college counseling center, provided psychotherapy for the University system and numerous co-occurring substance facilities. It is through these experiences that I continue to be passionate about helping all clients improve their lives, relationships and their mental health.

I enjoy helping people to empower themselves and find their own skills to return to their optimal mental health functioning. I enjoy working with teens, adolescents, couples and older adults. We can achieve your goals one step at a time!

I have learned that no one is immune to mental health stress, trauma, OR substance abuse. Most really can find recovery and wellness. In 2000, I began my career providing counseling services in a treatment center and have continued to specialize in coping methods vs. "using." Relationships are sacred. I work with all arrangements of families (CNM & polyamory). Expert family/couples counseling requires expert training. The Gottman Method is taught in three levels and I completed all three in 2017. My intensive couples approach is successful in improving communication and provides many tools and results in a reasonable time frame.

My clients are successful professionals who have areas in their lives that they feel have become chaotic, due to addiction, abuse, and trauma. I believe that there is currently a large population of highly successful professionals who are struggling with these issues in an unhealthy way, such as watching pornography or sex. I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) specializing in sex/porn addictions, multiple addictions, trauma, abuse, and PTSD.

The heart and soul of how I help others is as a counselor who meets clients where they are in life, relationships, struggles, and so on - with the goal of gaining your trust and helping move you through discouraging and challenging circumstances, while sharing in God's reality for your life. I believe in the value of working through personal problems and issues in the context of stronger relationships. I will help you with this on a personal level, and in the process of restoring health and relationships with whomever you are intending to build this restored relationship with.

Have you ever wondered if your past sexual experiences might be negatively affecting your current well being? My counseling practice centers around helping individuals and couples who have experienced sexual trauma and/or brokenness in any of its various forms. Whether it be due to past abuse, recent infidelity, or a history of sexual, physical and emotional betrayal and trauma, I consider it a privilege to walk with clients into the darkness of their stories. I enjoy coming alongside and advocating for those who are tired of just coping, dissatisfied with their quality of life, and desperate for deep change and healing.

Are you tired of answering the question "What's wrong?" One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't speak. Together, we can find your voice and explore whatever brings you to counseling in a collaborative, safe and supportive setting. Mental health is just as critical as your physical health and you don't need to suffer in silence. You deserve an emotional check-up.

The truth is life can be hard and things can be tough. We may feel down on our luck or even feel hopeless that things will never change. Depression, anxiety, sleepless nights, confusion and stress happen to the best of us and it is ok to reach out to a professional. It is normal to feel lost and uncertain sometimes on how to take a step forward towards living a more enjoyable life defined by your own terms. I believe reaching goals and true change can happen with the right mindset and tools, which I strive to help my clients develop in the most effective way!

What makes counseling work? A study found that resilience, relationship and faith make a difference. Together we can figure out your capacity for resilience - yes you have a capacity for change. One of the best things about counseling is building relationship. You can't know someone without allowing them to know you. Building that relationship is my primary focus and greatest strength. Believing that change is possible and using that belief can help your process. What are your values and beliefs? How do they guide you? I use my faith in my process, I will encourage you to use yours, whatever it may be - all are welcome.

I work with individuals, couples, and families in helping them achieve control over "emotional hijacking" and poor decision making. Feelings like fear, sorrow, anger, rejection prevent people from experiencing connectedness with life and with others. Therefore, the ideal client is one who is struggling with relationship problems, anger, addictions (sexual or chemical), poor stress control, depression, or anxiety-I provide a safe environment where the individual's pain and/or struggle is met with understanding alongside a plan of action to address the issue(s).