Therapists in Jennings, 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.

Are you feeling lost or unsure where to start? Or maybe you've been on your journey for some time and feel like you've tried everything. Do you feel like you've lost a part of you and aren't sure how to cope with it? I understand that starting and maintaining your healing journey can feel confusing or overwhelming. Let's take a deep breath and take that next step toward healing.

I have a diverse background in the evidence-based treatment of persons with trauma, eating disorders, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ challenges and gender dysphoria. For clients with PTSD and other trauma, common goals include symptom reduction, coping, exploration and healing. With eating disorders, my practice is most appropriate for clients who have attended a higher level of care (e.g. Intensive Outpatient, Residential, PHP) and are looking to confront issues underlying the eating disorder. Clients seeking gender affirming care will find support with expression, transition, relationships and more.

My approach to therapy stems from the belief that feeling truly seen and understood is a basic human need. I aim to provide a safe and reflective space where you can bring your whole self without fear of judgment. We will work together in a collaborative process to understand your unique experiences and how they've impacted you, figure out where you may be stuck, and help you take back the reins. I work with people, not diagnoses, and take a strengths-based approach to help individuals of all ages gain self-awareness, curiosity, inspiration and hope.

Are you afraid? Depressed? Annoyed? We alI struggle with these at times. If you are at a place where the situations in your life feel like "too much", I am passionate about working with you to find peace and healing in the midst of it. Together we can work to name the strengths you have that will aid you in life. From the moment you walk in, my goal is to provide you with a place where you feel safe to work through issues at your own pace, while experiencing me as an ally in your work. I strive to create an environment where clients can realize their strengths, heal from their hurts, and truly flourish.

A little about me... I couldn’t survive without my assortment of To Do lists. Somehow I manage to surprise myself again and again by not completing the lengthy tasks I hoped to cross off my lists. I wish I prioritized time in nature, self-care, and getting together with friends. The frenetic pace of our modern “grind culture” is a force I find challenging to resist. Despite having book knowledge on anxiety, I still have panicky moments. Through my own therapy, I am unlearning the message of hustling for my worth and aiming to embrace my limitations. I have come to learn that my triggers often end up being my best teachers.

Whether you are struggling in your relationship, dealing with loneliness from the multiple issues we've dealt with the past year (pandemic, grief, trauma), or simply needing to process some things with someone objectively, I believe the therapeutic relationship can be a platform for deep transformation and continued growth.

In the diverse landscape of therapeutic support, my practice stands out for its commitment to fostering growth and healing across life's spectrum. I am dedicated to helping both individuals and couples as they face a range of challenges, ensuring that each aspect of my work—from navigating relationship dynamics to addressing personal issues like OCD, anxiety, and boundary-setting—is approached with equal focus and expertise. I also love to work with people struggling with Spiritual Abuse and journeys of doubt within their faith.

With over 30 years in practice I have experience working with people of all ages with a range of concerns. People come to me to learn more about themselves and the source of their symptoms. It is through better understanding that we are able to heal and grow. My work with children/adolescents includes those dealing anxiety, adoption issues, depression, family issues, and behavioral problems. My work with adults includes those challenged with anxiety, depression, loss/grief, and relationship issues, and chronic medical conditions.

Our patients are individuals, couples or groups who have been struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorder and other behavioral challenges that have made ordinary day to day functioning impossible or extremely difficult. Through evidence-based clinical mental health therapy that includes EMDR, CBT, DBT, and SFBT, we assess, and diagnose individuals, couples and groups providing evidenced-based treatment plans.

I am honored that my clients share their deepest secrets with me every day. I am grateful for the trust they place in me and I value their need for confidentiality. I make an effort to listen to my clients and hear what they say to learn what they need to grow. Every client is a person who is much greater than their problem behavior or diagnosis. While I have extensive training in treating trauma and sexual behavior problems, I also have experience and training in treating other mental health problems such as: Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, ADHD, and chemical as well as process addictions.

Please email all inquiries! Are you looking for a more authentic, relational experience with a counselor? Looking to deep dive into your mental health? We are a group private practice striving to provide a genuine, open, and trusting experience with in-depth therapeutic work. We work closely with my clients to achieve their goals while also encouraging them to challenge themselves to grow. We believe that healing occurs with the right support and validation, genuine connection with others, and unconditional acceptance. It's important to bring ourselves as we are to therapy with our full range of emotions (anger, sadness, and humor!)

I hold two doctorates one in psychology and a master's degree in clinical mental health care, and professional counseling making me a highly qualified professional counselor, clinician, and therapist. Additionally, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). My expertise lies in providing talk therapy to individuals of all ages, including adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and groups. To ensure the best outcomes for my clients, I utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy as an initial approach. This allows me to effectively address their specific situations and circumstances.

I enjoy helping people to empower themselves and find their own skills to return to their optimal mental health functioning. I enjoy working with teens, adolescents, couples and older adults. We can achieve your goals one step at a time!

My clients describe me as someone they feel safe and comfortable with, someone they feel they can trust, and someone that genuinely cares for them. Some of my clients describe themselves as perfectionists or high achievers; others identify as "people pleasers" struggling with setting healthy boundaries. Many of my clients have unhealed childhood wounds, and struggle with anxiety, depression or interpersonal relationship issues. It is my passion to help my clients figure out why they feel or react the way they do so that they can feel "good enough" about themselves on the inside and build healthier relationship with others.

Navigating the paths of life can be challenging. You don't have to journey them alone. At times you will need to talk to someone objectively to gain introspect into your thoughts, choices, or behavior in a matter. Other times you will find yourself at an impasse in life and will need guidance to help explore the best path leading to your desired destination, especially if it appears that you are going in circles with no forward movement.

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.

Life is challenging. Even when we are doing our best, we may still experience anxiety, depression, stress, moodiness, and difficulties in our relationships. Some of those feelings originate from experiences we remember clearly and want to understand and organize; other feelings seem to come from nowhere and despite our best efforts, interfere with our feeling better and doing the things we want to do.