Therapists in Dardenne Prairie, MO

I believe people's pain is holy and sacred ground and that every individual's story has value. I work with individuals and couples, and I'm passionate about understanding my clients' struggles and giving them hope for healing and redemption. In coming to counseling, my clients can be assured that I'll provide a safe, non-judgmental space for them to grow and find healing. Of particular interest to me is helping people who struggle with relationship difficulties, sexual intimacy issues, vaginismus, sexual shame, religious and sexual identity conflicts, spirituality, and conflict and boundary issues.

While struggle is common to the human experience, it can lead to healing and growth. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, it is possible to choose a life of purpose and joy. My desire is to collaborate with clients to find hope, healing and solutions for life’s challenges. I am particularly interested in trauma, women’s issues, relationship struggles including betrayal trauma, parenting challenges and life transitions.  I am passionate about meeting people where they are, learning their stories and supporting them as they build the life they desire. I will hold space for your pain and hope for your healing.

I enjoy working with children of all ages, adults, and families in an effort to help others identify and build on current strengths and promote positive change where desired. My experience, training, and years of ongoing supervision enables me to offer you effective, quality, individualized care.

I specialize in couples, working with those experiencing conflict, conflict-avoidance, infidelity/trust issues, communication problems, parenting/co-parenting struggles, and or when one or both partners experience depression, anxiety, or trauma. Relationships are the most important things in our lives, and when we get disconnected, everything in life can feel so much harder. I also see individuals who are struggling with self-worth issues, excessive worry, past history of trauma. Therapy can do a world of good, especially when life has been painful. I am dedicated to the therapy process, and help clients find hope and relief.

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned, and our minds adapt the best way they know how. These adaptations are brilliant, but there comes a point in time when they no longer serve us well. Perfectionism, over-analyzing, people-pleasing, mental exhaustion, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, low self-esteem, conflicting thoughts and feelings, and even unexplained physical symptoms are all good reasons to reach out to a professional.

Carolyn operates from a systems way of thinking. I believe that there are many aspects that can affect each individual and exploring these aspects best helps the individual. I use therapies such as CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, EFT with couples and other modalities. I work with children ages 10+, adolescents, individuals, couples and families. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, divorce, marital separation, premarital counseling, marriage counseling, sexual issues including addiction, affairs, pornography, abuse and LGBTQ+, grief and other situations that may arise.

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.

You are a successful career woman who is fighting anxiety every stinking day. You say “yes” without considering your schedule or your needs. You worry all of the time about what others think about you and you tend to act differently depending on who you are around. You are scared of being rejected or abandoned, and you spend way too much time in your head replaying conversations you’ve had, fearful that you said something wrong. You doubt yourself frequently and hate to make decisions! Your body has a lot of tension and you’ve been to your doctor or an ER because you thought you were having a heart attack. Time to invest in you.

Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, I am here to offer support. To foster a warm, comfortable setting for you, I employ a compassionate, non-judgmental approach that offers a safe space for healing. Issues addressed in individual therapy may include: anxiety, depression, goal setting, personal growth plans, self-confidence building, emotional and binge eating, body image, codependency, narcissistic abuse, time management, and self-care.

As a sex addiction therapist, trained EMDR clinician, and nationally certified psychotherapist, I work with individuals struggling with intense urges, emotions, and conflict. New clients come to me feeling isolated, in pain, and on edge due to having nowhere to express their toughest emotions. Many grew up in a traumatic family of origin with messages like "Suck it up" and "Don't cry" being taught to them. My clients come to me to say the things that they couldn't otherwise say to anyone else.

Whether you're struggling to make sense of the past, overwhelmed and unsure of how or where to set boundaries, facing persistent negative self-beliefs, or navigating the many other complexities of life, you are not alone. I want to invite you into a safe and supportive space where whatever you’re struggling with can be witnessed and transformed. I love working with many different populations and have a lot of experience working with women, LGBTQ+ folks, clients living with chronic illness and/or invisible disabilities, and clients with attachment trauma and other early traumas.

My hope is to be a first step in overcoming feelings of isolation and loneliness. If your world has been turned upside-down, either from the loss of a loved one or life's hardships, let's connect. Learning how to trust and practice new life skills are foundational in moving forward in relationships.

Wouldn't it be nice if children and teens came with an instruction manual? Raising children can bring a roller coaster of emotions and challenges but you're not alone! As a therapist and mother myself, I recognize the impact that children and teens behavioral and mental health concerns can have on them and their families. Behavior communicates their feelings, thoughts and needs. When it becomes challenging and maladaptive it's important to connect with them and uncover what they are trying to express. I believe that you are the expert on your family and your participation and support is an integral part in the treatment process.

Counseling for wellness and wisdom. That’s my mission. My goal as your counselor is to accept an invitation into your complex and dynamic world; in hopes that I may offer you the support you are seeking to find peace. If you are searching through this directory, chances are you sense, or maybe even know, something is not quite right in your life. Are you personally struggling and haven’t found a solution or a way to move forward? Is your marriage or committed relationship in a state of turmoil? Perhaps your child or someone else you care deeply for is struggling, and you are unsure of how to help them or even cope yourself.

My name is Melanie Shands, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am a Registered Play Therapist and EMDRIA certified EMDR Therapist. I work with youth and adults in Missouri to help them reach their goals and improve their mental health. I believe every person has the ability to heal and improve their mental health when provided with a therapist who is invested in their success and takes the time to teach skills and process feelings, thoughts, and life events. I enjoy working with children and teens, as well as adults in all stages of life.

Congratulations on making the decision to bring positive change into your life! I have experience working with a wide range of clinical issues including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, PTSD, first responder trauma, post-partum depression, family conflicts, pre-marital counseling, polyamorous relationships, domestic violence, multiple personality disorder (DID), Asperger’s Disorder, relationship issues, identity crisis, LGBT specific problems and concerns, grief and loss, as well as people struggling with bipolar disorder. I also have experience in paranormal psychology. All sessions are telehealth/online!

Looking for a safe, non-judgmental space to share your story? Be understood? Gain insight into your relationships and coping patterns, so that you can begin to thrive and not just survive? I've got you! I believe counseling is a partnership in which we work together in developing and implementing a plan to reach your goals. Each person is unique and different, and I adjust according to each person's needs. I believe that authenticity and empathy are the two most important things for a counselor to possess. In addition, I am always learning new techniques and tools to help my client's grow.

I am informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a basis for emotional processing and behavior change. I am deeply committed to respecting each person's individual experience and work to identify tools and interventions that fit the needs of each person. I believe in an integrative health model exploring the mind, body and environment. I believe that exploring the use of mindfulness techniques can have powerful positive effects with individuals who are open. My aim is to support individuals into awareness of their personal strengths and to encourage growth and healing from within, despite the external circumstances.

I help adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, family issues and trauma regain balance and hope in their lives through the use of verbal and creative expression.