Therapists in Benton County, MO

I am licensed in Missouri with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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.

I have seen both professionally and personally how transformative the therapeutic process can be when seeking change, growth, and healing. I focus on individuals and couples whose concerns may include anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship problems. My goal is to provide clients a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore and process their pain and help them reflect on how their experiences influence their perception of themselves, others, and the world. With empathy, understanding, acceptance, and encouragement, I work with clients on integrating changes so that they have the tools they need to live a happy and healthy life.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Sometimes life is hard. We experience stress, difficult experiences, wounding in relationships, and trauma along with many other experiences. We carry these with us and they show up in our daily lives - in our thoughts, emotions, physical body, relationships with others, relationship with our self. Maybe you've noticed feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Weighed down. Maybe anxious. Maybe you've noticed patterns in your relationships. Maybe physical discomfort and pain. Tension in your body. Maybe you're curious about what you're noticing. Or maybe you’re curious about who YOU are – the authentic you.

Is a lot of your self talk focused on self loathing, shame, or perceived failings in your life? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or anxious more often than not? Taking the time and effort to look at what is working and what isn’t working in your own life is a brave step toward feeling better in your own skin. Often our work together will look a lot like taking steps (some minuscule, some monumental, all equally as needed and pivotal) toward yourself and the ways you can become more fully you. Through that greater understanding (and ultimate acceptance) of self, you can find a quieter, kinder inner voice.

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.

My experience with helping individuals and families overcome difficult challenges is my passion. I believe that it easier to find and build upon one's strengths than it is to focus primarily on fixing problems. Much of my time in therapy is spent on discovering creative solutions rather than talking too long just about what is wrong. I often involve the whole family and believe that every person is unique and requires an individualized approach. One size does not fit all. Please call me or email today discuss your needs and hopes and/or to set an appointment time.

I work with adults, couples, and families who face challenges related to the stress of modern living as well as traumatic experiences, including complex trauma histories. My clients often come to me with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting, and coping with grief and loss.

I operate from a holistic and integrative approach; valuing each individual, their strengths and honoring their experiences. I believe you have innate behaviors and skills that you can draw upon to overcome challenges and move toward becoming a better you. I enjoy working with both individuals and couples, and can assist you in your journey to new beginnings. I primarily focus my work on helping clients navigate and work through depression, anxiety, trauma, intrapersonal and interpersonal issues.

Are you feeling gloomy, stuck or unmotivated? Do you find it difficult to shut your thoughts off at night because of scattered thoughts? Does the harmony in your love relationship need a reset? Is achieving work-life balance difficult? Are you transitioning out of a relationship and want support? Perhaps you are a survivor of narcissistic abuse by a partner, parent or employer? Whatever it is, your goal for happiness is important and it's OK to receive care on your journey.

If you struggle to connect with not only those around you but who you believe you are, this may be your place. Do you feel angry, tired, or unheard this may be the result of a lost sense of self. Finding a path back to who you believe you are is the first step to a healthier you. In the counseling environment, we are able to address the things that keep you feeling disconnected. I am here to help you find that gateway to your future.

I work primarily with clients suffering from the effects of trauma, chronic shame, depression, and anxiety. Finding what you want in a therapist is difficult, a difficult task on top of the difficulties you are already facing. I encourage you to reach out with an email or a phone call for a free consultation so that we can determine how exactly to get you where you want to be.

The core of my practice is assisting individuals and families to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life with success and purpose. To provide guidance on supporting those with mental health symptoms, behavioral and emotional disorders and trauma to be able to thrive. To help identify negative communication patterns and strengthen communication with others. I provide an assortment of parenting ideas to help families live together with a better understanding and appreciation of each other. I draw from Dr. Garry Landreth, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Dr. Fay & Dr. Cline, Love & Logic, and Dr. Phelan with 1-2-3 Magic.

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be” Wayne Dyer. Do you ever feel like you're not actually living your life? Are you too stuck in your own mind with worry, regret or doubt? Maybe past experiences are getting in your way. Causing you to form negative beliefs about yourself. Leading to perfectionism, frustration, self-judgement and feeling depleted. Do you get stuck in cycles overthinking the past or fearing the future? Making it difficult to move forward. Are you actually missing out on what being alive truly means and the experiences it has to offer?

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, or relationship problems? If you are I can help. I offer convenient daytime, evening, and Saturday appointment times. For first time clients I offer a free 20 minute phone or Zoom video consultation. In our sessions I will use evidence based practices to help you overcome the challenges you are facing.