Therapists in Jackson County, MO

Accepting new clients! I'm so glad you are here. The hardest part of getting help is reaching out to make that first appointment and you are one step closer. Childhood mental health issues have been rising for awhile now and we saw an even bigger increase the past few years. Not only are our children struggling, it is hard work learning to parent our children with mental health needs. Navigating depression, anxiety, mood swings, trauma, etc is not meant to be done alone. I believe in working alongside you, your child, and family as we tackle issues together.

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or in need of support? Do you have past experiences that you want to understand and heal from? Maybe you just need a space for yourself where you can explore and grow? I bring compassion and warmth to our sessions, helping you connect to your own resilience and make sense of your unique story. My framework is intersectional, LGBTQIA affirming, anti-racist, and feminist. I work collaboratively with you to support your growth and help you thrive.

Feeling stuck? Not feeling like yourself? Do the stressors of daily life seem bigger to you than you believe they feel to others? I work with clients from early childhood through all phases of adulthood. I specialize in trauma, perinatal concerns (infertility, pregnancy, postpartum mood struggles, traumatic birth, and loss), as well as neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, and more), gender/sexual expansiveness, and anxiety and depression.

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to see if I could be a good fit for your journey. I am passionate about supporting clients who are seeking to process through their experiences and seek new insight into their lives. I work with young children through young adult and adult. My nonjudgmental approach comes from my belief that every person has worth even when you might struggle to see that in yourself. My role is to be here to help empower you along your path.

Are you or your child/teen feeling extra anxious these days? It makes sense given that the last few years have brought challenges that we are all still trying to understand! Whether you're a young person, a parent or a seasoned adult, we all need to sit with someone who deeply cares and listens to our story and can help us work through the complexities of being human- no matter what your age is! I am here for you.

Taking a look at your life and realizing that you aren't happy, even though it seems like you "should" be, is tough. Even tougher is if you're a parent and feeling overwhelmed with this new identity, wondering how to be the best parent you can be, and also be able to find space for yourself at the same time. It isn't always easy to know which step will take you toward a more meaningful life. If you're reading this, you are taking a step to get the support you deserve so you can create a life you love and be the parent you hope to be. Your healing matters, and your story matters.

My approach is grounded in meeting folks where they are in the moment, and not asking them to feel, look, or act like someone they’re not. I believe that every person has worth and value because of their identity, and I love helping other people tap into their worth. I believe that all humans have the innate capacity to not only overcome difficult experiences, but to heal and thrive, and when we overcome difficult experiences or emotions, we are stronger and more resilient. Lasting change requires work, but when we put in that work we harness the power to define our experience rather than letting our experience define us.

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!

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, down, or anxious and don't know what to do or where to go? Do you feel very alone and nobody else understands or has experienced what you have/or are experiencing? Are you having trouble sleeping due to looping thoughts running through your mind? Have all your old ways of coping stopped working? We all need support and guidance along our journey. Sometimes we need more than what our family and friends can provide. When circumstances happen making life more difficult, you may need some extra help. Together, you and I can find the right path and tools to get you back to feeling more like yourself.

Specializing in empowerment, trauma, anxiety, relationships, intimacy, sex, and perinatal mental health. My clients are seeking more in life. Their internal compass has led them to seek counseling services, and I am an honored and humbled passenger on their therapy journey.

I am not taking new clients at this time. Are you feeling sad, depressed, anxious, angry, mean, inadequate, unworthy, etc.? Is it difficult to understand and accept those feelings? Typically, we reject what hurts us and only welcome and entertain the "feel good" moments and emotions. Your story is important. I am here to listen and support you as you go through your journey in becoming the person you want to be. I will honor your uniqueness and help you identify what is important to you, your needs and your strengths. You have everything you need within you to succeed.