Therapists in Independence, MO

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.

In a world full of judgment, we need someone we can be vulnerable with. We need someone we can talk to about the uncomfortable thoughts and emotions associated with fears and insecurities. We need someone we can bounce ideas off of to find perspective. In a world full of judgment, we need a nonjudgmental someone who can be kind, empathetic, and psychological educated to help us grow in self and life contentment. My 32 years of cosmetology and services industry work, along with my achievement of honors in both my BA and MA, has allowed me to build acceptance, wisdom, perspective, and awareness in my therapeutic approach.

Life can be full of joy but can also be lonely and deeply painful. Your personal life may feel unbalanced or your relationships seem stuck. I think it is very courageous to seek health and healing from hurt, internal strife or relational trauma. Relationships cause tremendous pain but can also be the source of magnificent healing. Oftentimes a comfortable, inviting space where you can safely explore who you are at your core is just what you need to begin flourishing and thriving. That same space can be precisely the respite your relationships need.

Life can deliver challenges to us via situations we feel may be in or out of our control. At these moments, we may feel hopeless, pondering who can we seek out for help. As a result, we may experience trauma, anxiety, depression, loss, etc. As both a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Occupational Therapist, we will work together within the context of your relationships to restore optimal health and balance. This process can ultimately create a positive impact on the quality of your daily life. I am honored and amazed at the resiliency and courage of clients as they strive to achieve overall health!

You are mighty as hell – you don’t feel it right now, but it’s in you. Life has thrown some heavy challenges your way, and this sense of overwhelm never seems to relent. Whether you are experiencing loss, relationship struggles, depression, anxiety or a combination of it all – I’m here for it. You deserve to feel whole and mentally well. Through a warm and supportive relationship, I will help you explore your experiences and complex emotions - and get you to a place of confidence where you are free to authentically pursue connection and fulfillment.

Hello! My name is Nate Rayburn and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Grain Valley Missouri. I have been practicing counseling in Missouri for the past eight years and look forward to being able to help you with any number of issues you may be battling.

Hello! I'm Vanessa, co-owner of Secure Counseling Clinics. I've lived in KC for 20 years with my husband, 4 children, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, and a flock of backyard chickens! I'm a Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in both MO and KS, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and KS board-approved clinical supervisor. My heart work is helping humans with complex trauma. Couples, as well as parents and their children, work with me to form secure attachments with each other. I help clients experiencing relationship difficulties and those who experience pain from circumstances or losses.

We are all just walking each other home. While I bring a deep love for/nerdiness about how we become us, you know you best. You've got the map and say where to go — I empower you to navigate, process, unpack and heal. We will work to make connections, identify patterns/themes and reframe old stories that no longer serve you. I am also trained in EMDR & approach therapy through a trauma-informed, systemic, anti-oppression lens, practicing cultural humility. I am a visionary curator of transformative experiences. If you have tried therapy before and are still struggling and/or are ready to change your trajectory, call me.

Life can be hard sometimes and full of stress, but my goal is to help provide a sense of inner peace and increase in happiness. I am passionate about the body and mind connection and identifying ways to improve overall happiness to live your best life. Life is meant to be lived and to feel empowered. Finding your own inner strength through improvement in mood, cognitions, and overall well-being. Having a safe space to talk and improve self growth and awareness is critical to improvement in daily functioning. My favorite saying is happiness is good for the soul and finding out that you are capable of that is my motivation!

Feeling overwhelmed? Out of control? Dealing with major life changes? Or desiring a life change that you just can't quite grasp? Each of us is created with the ability to manage life's challenges but we don't always see clearly amidst the struggle. Connecting with someone in a safe, affirming, non-judgmental, and solution-focused environment can help you uncover your inner-strengths and see a way out from those feelings of suffering. With more than 20 years of practice experience, Sarah is well equipped to walk with you through any challenge.

Unresolved trauma affects us deeply. Are you feeling numb and shut down or agitated and on alert. Does that resonate for you? Most of us have experienced a traumatic event during the course of our lives; how you recover is directly impacted by the kind of support you have in your life. Experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect could mean you have fewer internal resources to combat the impact. This can lead to unhealthy ways of dealing with the pain such as addictions, self-harm, destructive relationships, isolation. Through healthy connections and therapy, you can process traumatic experiences and find joy again. I’m eager to help.

Feeling alone with your problems is really tough. I know how lonely and powerless this can feel. Do you want to let go of your frustrations, anxieties, stressors or sadness? You can and you don't have to do it alone. What if you could understand and accept yourself fully, including your imperfections? What if you could understand and accept others in the same way? You can become the person you want you want to be.

Welcome! I feel confident treating Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Depression, OCD, Relational Issues, Suicidality, LGBTQIA+, and people experiencing grief and loss. I believe that self-compassion is the foundation for personal growth. As your therapist, my role is not to give you advice. You know yourself best. My role is to provide a partnering hand to move through life's challenges with you.

You're tired of regular "talk therapy" and are sick of being stuck in a cycle that leaves you feeling burnt out. Maybe you are LGBTQ+ or Neurodivergent and need someone who understands the nuances of that. Do you want to learn distress tolerance skills to use in moments where it seems like the overwhelming emotions you feel are a dangerous tidal wave about to crash around you? Are you a caretaker who has discovered how overstimulating parenting is and want to improve your own emotional regulation so that you can help your child regulate? You are capable of the hard things. Let me help you find that capability within yourself!

I love working with children and adolesecents, the more problematic and difficult the kids, the better. I enjoy interacting with them in ways that help us get to the core problems, while implementing coping skills into their daily life to decrease the daily struggles they have at home, at school, with their peers, and out in the community. Empowering them to find their values and integrate them into their daily choices. I also enjoy working with women. Empowering, strengthening and uplifting them to live their full potential, while processing major life events and changes that might be hindering their ability to be successful.

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.

I am a counselor who enjoys helping others to see their potential, work through their struggles, bond families together again, and help individuals reach their personal goals! There is nothing more gratifying to me than to see someone take the courageous step to work through a difficult situation and grow in their self-esteem, self-worth, and identity.

I believe we all have the right to our own belief systems but often times sharing those with someone who is a complete stranger can be intimidating. I offer you a safe space to be YOU. I am a spiritual being that is open to embracing dialogue around non-traditional ways of thinking and believing. Because the client-therapist is an important relationship, my goal is to provide a high-quality service to you that includes quick and responsive communication as well as a huge library of resources to give you the tools you need for an action based and humanistic therapy process. I enjoy working with women and couples!