Therapists in Bates County, MO

I've provided therapy services for adults, teens, and children for over 8 years. I've found that the individuals who seem to flourish working with me are those who are particularly committed to understanding themselves and their struggles at a deeper level. I work to help facilitate meaningful insights and this often includes exploration of earlier relationships in a client's life. I believe that each person I work with is a unique and complex individual needing services tailored to them.

Feeling stuck, chaotic, overwhelmed, purposeless, anxious? Do you ever find yourself doing the same things over and over wishing you would have a different outcome? Do you feel consumed by your thoughts? Do you feel like you and your partner just don’t get each other? Often time asking for help and finding help is overwhelming. You want to make a change, make things better, but you don’t know how. You want to feel like you again - not to just keep surviving, but start living intentionally and passionately. You want the anxiety, the intrusive thoughts and the sleepless nights to end - to be present with yourself and your loved ones.

Knowing we can be loved exactly as we are gives us the best opportunity to grow into the healthiest people. I believe relational psychotherapy helps to restore hope and connection, even during seasons of immense pain and suffering. Having a place where you can be heard and feel known is essential while working through heavy feelings, emotions, thoughts, and processing difficult experiences. As therapy deepens, individuals I work with gain insight into presenting symptoms and patterns of behavior that initially brought them to see me.

We all have strengths to build on and opportunities for growth and change. Counseling can be a helpful tool to work toward whatever goals you have or obstacles you may be facing. I am passionate about working with children and families. My goal is for children to feel confident in who they are and what they can do. I also work to build up families to grow closer and stronger together. I have seen how counseling can be a powerful tool in creating positive change for anyone.

Life presents challenges that are difficult to face alone, and trusting someone to hold your thoughts and emotions as sacred takes courage. I consider it an honor to walk with you, side by side, through your journey of transformation, healing and restoration. I seek to connect the body and the brain to dig deeper, at your pace. Creating and being a safe, inviting, warm and connected space is a passion of mine. It is such a privilege to bear witness to people reclaiming themselves and finding freedom from trauma!

Since 2012 I have been working with adolescents and young adults navigating various different struggles of their life. Together, with their families (when appropriate) we work to develop a plan and a path towards health and healing. It isn't always easy, in fact it’s often counterintuitive and confusing. Healing isn't linear, but what I can offer is a chance to communicate better, connect, and return your home to a peaceful place. Whether you are struggling with relationships, yourself, school or work, I am ready to help you navigate whatever it is that is going on in your mind, and move you towards a more meaningful life.

There are many presenting issues that might bring you to counseling. Finding a therapist that you can connect with and build an alliance with is important to your success in therapy. I work very hard to create a relationship that will provide you the safety and warmth that you need to explore your experiences; I am very comfortable earning your trust. I use different treatment modalities, depending upon which is appropriate for you personally. Empathy is the primary tool used to give you the safety you need to explore your inner world while we begin to understand your experiences together.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your feelings? Have you felt discouraged by the impact that your past experiences have on your daily life? Do you struggle to function in your daily roles and relationships due to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, or overstimulation? You are not alone. Our past can distort the lens through which we view ourselves and the world. Sometimes we need help reshaping that lens. You are worth the time it takes to develop an understanding of how life has impacted the connection between your body and mind. We can work together to develop adaptive coping skills that allow you to be fully present in life.

Do you feel stuck like you are in a never ending loop of conflict, unhealthy patterns and negative emotions? We all can feel overwhelmed by life and all of the stress it brings. Maybe you have gone through something unthinkable and you are ready to heal and be more present in your life. Are you wanting solutions to conflict with people you care about? Unhealthy communication can lead to shallow, drama filled relationships that leave everyone feeling drained and defeated. Counseling can help. Working with me will bring awareness to patterns, empowerment, and skills needed to make shifts to change your life.

Life can be hard. It’s full of challenging times and transitions. Past hurts and trauma can keep us stuck, overwhelmed, and paralyzed to move forward. Processing these challenges can be difficult to manage alone. The good news is that we do not have to navigate them alone. I would be honored to walk alongside you through whatever you are currently facing. I strive to provide a safe and caring space where you can address current stressors and explore past hurts to help you find healing and connection.

Life presents a multitude of challenges, including pain, uncertainty, and constant work. While I cannot change these inevitable parts of the human experience, I hope to offer a place where you can process these difficulties and develop new skills to better face them in the future. I believe women face unique challenges in society and within themselves that deserve time and space to be addressed. From infertility to postpartum struggles to divorce and anxiety, my goal is to support you on your journey to becoming your most fulfilled version of yourself.

Hello, I’m Shantelle Wells, a compassionate and experienced therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and find meaningful solutions. With a non-judgmental approach, I create a safe space where people can be vulnerable, explore their thoughts, emotions and concerns. A place where others can share their deepest, darkest secrets. My expertise lies in areas such as anxiety, depression, stress management, relationship difficulties,self–esteem and personal growth. I firmly believe in the power of therapy to facilitate positive change and provide the support while working on becoming the best version of YOU!

I see a variety of clients in various life situations and complexities, and I view the space you share with me an honor and privilege. It’s a big step in committing to understanding what's happening for you and reaching out for help. I respect your desire for understanding yourself and the situation you're in, for a deeper level of self-reflection, and a desire for implementing change. You're already doing hard work right now searching for the right fit, and in valuing personal growth and investing in yourself by reaching out. I look forward to connecting with you. I am committed to walking alongside of you every step of the way!

So many people get caught trying to balance it all, only to have stress and pain compound. This can show up in a person's mind, body, relationships, or other important areas of life. Oftentimes, these experiences reveal what in our lives might need deeper attention. My goal is to help you connect to your authentic self, find meaning in your experience, and feel more centered. Even in the most difficult or overwhelming circumstances, we can find ways to heal and grow as we move forward.

Play is the place where children’s minds, hearts, and souls meet. Through Play Therapy, children are able to heal from distressing events such as, but not limited to, trauma, grief and loss, divorce, depression, adoption, foster care and attachment issues; and to improve in myriad areas such as impulse control, emotional regulation, ADHD, OCD, and ODD. As your child’s therapist, my goal is to enable children to heal, so that they are empowered to “rise and shine” to their highest potential.

My Name is Melaney Courtice and I am a neurodivergent therapist. In my practice I work with people who have been affected by a wide range of mental health and social challenges, often including AD/HD, autism and other neurodivergent-related conditions as well as depression, anxiety, trauma… and all the things that come with struggling in this chaotic world we live in. I utilize the Internal Family System (IFS) model and EMDR as the core of my approach to therapy, but I also draw on a range of other therapeutic techniques to ensure that my clients receive a comprehensive and person-centered treatment.

Life is a journey full of ups and downs, twists and turns, dry valleys, and scenic mountaintops. At times, it can be difficult to navigate. We may resist going in a direction that feels unknown because it is uncomfortable to do things we've never done before; however, it is in the places of discomfort that we can create the most growth and discover our most authentic selves. Maybe you feel stuck, hurt, or abandoned. Maybe you feel stressed, alone, or tired. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself or the people in your life. No matter where you find yourself on your journey, there is hope.

Wounds often shape our life's choices without our knowledge of their presence. Life is hard and these wounds can wear on us over time. Are you unsure if you're struggling with an addiction and you feel like your substance may be wreaking havoc on your life and your relationships? It takes courage to ask for help. I can meet you where you are and we can explore this together in an environment that is free of shame and judgement. Successful therapy involves a collaborative relationship where clients risk to uncover wounds and challenge unhelpful family structures.

In my practice, I work with adults and children ages 4-18 who are experiencing or have experienced trauma (PTSD) or unresolved grief in their lives. Trauma can affect relationships, friendships, marriages and parenting. It can significantly impact how we cope from day to day. Unfortunately, such issues that have been ignored may keep coming up and can haunt us at the most inopportune times. I am continually amazed at how resilient the human mind and spirit can be with just some intentional focus on those areas of life.