Therapists in Cedar Hill, MO

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.

I am a Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience providing behavioral and mental health care in schools, intensive treatment, and in outpatient settings. I am currently working for LifeStance Health as a Clinical Therapist, providing supportive therapy to adolescents, teens, adults, couples and families that are experiencing a variety of challenges. These challenges may include anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, shame, substance abuse, grief, life transitions, relationship issues, and marital/family conflict.

As a woman, you experience the intense anxiety of being the "perfect" spouse, parent, and/or adult child. You may be tired of feeling unseen, unheard, and alone. You might experience reoccurring intrusive thoughts of “am I messing it all up?” or "am I making the right parenting/life choices?" Even worse, the difficulty in saying "no" means far more on your plate than possible. Feeling anything else may seem like a distant memory. But one thing is for sure: you're ready for some relief! You're ready to feel seen and heard! But most of all you're ready to feel safely and securely connected to the most important people in your life!

“Running away from a problem only increases the distance from the solution.” Therapy is personal and unique and I believe your therapeutic journey should lead you to self-empowerment and positive changes in your life. My intent is to support you in discovering what stops you from living the life you have always hoped for. My approach is depth-orientated and includes a blend of traditional therapy and creative ways of optimizing a healthier new sense of Self. I value the importance of creating a safe space that allows for a sense of peace, trust and comfort.

Kelly brings deep compassion and understanding to the counseling experience and walks with her clients through changes that are meaningful and long-lasting. She is passionate about helping women heal from abuse and betrayal, and she recognizes the importance of instilling hope for desired change with regard to relationships and other goals. She loves to work with relationships, anxiety, self-esteem, family counseling, adolescents, identity issues, grief, trauma, depression, anger, and spiritual struggles. Kelly assists her clients in understanding the full context of their situations and she speaks truth in love.

Living in a constant state of threat, insecurity, and anxiety does not need to be your normal. Together we will explore the root of your concerns and address them so that you’re no longer living in survival mode. My hope is that you walk away from therapy having gained an understanding of yourself and a sense of harmony with your mind, body, and spirit.

As a therapist, my main focus is to care for the concerns of the client's heart. I believe that we are made for connection and attachment. When relationships have been harmed or trauma has occurred, there is a fracture, wound or scar. This can run deep and needs to be treated with tenderness and understanding. Those who have experienced trauma may not understand the toll it has done to the brain, body, heart, soul or voice. I have the privilege of educating and finding therapeutic ways in which the client can heal. It is a true honor to walk alongside someone while they find their way towards healing and wholeness.

The clients I serve are often at a crossroads in their life story and unsure of how to close one chapter and begin anew. Clients I enjoy working with recognize that counseling continues outside of the session in self reflection, exploring behavior change, and shifting how we think and relate to ourselves. I find that counseling helps meet goals and needs as diverse as the client, and sometimes goals arise throughout the course of the relationship. No one needs a "good reason" to come to counseling, for the desire to reach out and try will always be sufficient.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Weighed down by anxiety? Difficulties in relationships or tensions with your children? I can provide you with tools and teach you how to use them, which can help to provide a more satisfying life and to help you become a healthier individual. I am driven by a passion for improving the lives of others and work diligently to provide a custom approach to meet client’s needs. I want to help individuals discover their true identities and God-given gifts, potential, and purposes in life. My approach is to provide empathy and challenge and help clients move toward transformation to make necessary changes.

We all struggle sometimes, but ongoing issues can leave us exhausted, isolated, confused, discouraged... If your days or nights are hard to get through, if you can't seem to settle down or stop overthinking, if life feels scary or you don't know what to do, if you never feel good enough or can't seem to 'get over' or 'stop doing' x, I'd love to talk with you. My experience is broad, but my practice is largely focused on anxiety & stress disorders, relational trauma, chronic & terminal illnesses, and healthy coping/decision making during life transitions.

It is important to me to build an open, inclusive, and non-judge mental environment through focusing on your whole self. Creating a safe and supportive space is my first priority. From there we can process stressors, explore growth points, and pursue goals. I am a gentle and compassionate listener who works hard to understand you and your concerns. I can help you sort through your thoughts and feelings so that you can make sense of the past and implement a plan for the future which includes clarity and compassion for yourself and others.

I'm passionate about helping adults and couples find healing, empowerment, growth, and meaning in their lives. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, relationship and attachment issues, life transitions, and grief. I'm especially dedicated to working with LGBTQIA+ and nonmonogamous clients. I practice from a humanistic standpoint, integrating psychodynamic, behavioral, and mindfulness-based strategies drawn from a variety of approaches in order to personalize therapy to the individual client’s values, goals, and strengths.

Taking the steps to find a therapist is a courageous leap in your journey. I take pride in helping clients process difficult emotions and create a secure sense of self. Your issue, need, or goal will be unique, but I strive to provide a safe space to assist you in this difficult process.

Do you get tired of carrying the burden of your past on your shoulders? Do you wish for a future in which you can breathe freely and have a heart full of hope? My name is Melissa, and I'd want to be your guiding light on your journey to healing and empowerment. We'll not only heal your scars, but also rekindle the light within you, allowing you to step into a better, happier tomorrow. Your path to a better life begins here, and I'm here to accompany you every step of the way. Clients often walk away from our sessions with renewed hope, increased resilience, and actionable strategies to tackle life's challenges.

I help you heal from the past, accept what is, and live life with intention. Relationship wounds can cause you to lose touch with parts of yourself. You can learn to reconnect with and heal those parts, become the source of your own self-love, self-acceptance, and self-worth. Through radical acceptance of self, others and the world, you can cultivate wisdom and compassion as an internal refuge. I can help you face what is painful and create intention for how you want to be in a world that is not always as you wish it to be. A sense of well-being and peace can be cultivated, even in the midst of chaos, loss and unwanted change.

I currently have a waitlist for new clients. I specialize in working with individuals (of all ages) who are neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, OCD, gifted, etc.) and I often work with children and teens who are in foster care or are adopted. I offer individual and family/couple sessions, play therapy, and I often integrate technology, including video and computer games, iPads, and virtual reality (VR), into sessions. To learn more about Gaming Therapy, visit my website!

My counseling style is warm, interactive, and empathetic. I believe everyone should be treated with empathy, genuineness, respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe in meeting people where they are in their journey. We will work together as a team to tailor sessions to meet your needs. My experience ranges from working with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, and women’s issues. Domestic violence, women’s issues, and trauma are my specialties. Populations I specialize with are First Responders, Active-Duty Military, Reserves, Military Spouses,

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.

Michelle earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Saint Louis University & her Licensed Master of Social Work License 2011. Michelle has worked with a diverse population over the years, primarily focusing on children, teenagers, & families, as well as individuals facing trauma. Michelle believes that all individuals wish to be heard, accepted & understood, but when faced with stressful & challenging situations life can seem overwhelming, unmanageable, and out of control, but therapy can help bring you peace, or "calm the chaos" as she frequently says.