Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

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 have over 20 years of experience working in a therapeutic setting. My approach places a central focus on development of a strong therapeutic relationship and creating a space where one can explore personal issues. Symptoms are often what bring people to seek therapy. I see a symptom as a means for understanding the underlying issues that cause them. I have experience working with adults and adolescents (ages 13 and older). In support of working with adolescents, I also work with parents in a parallel manner.

If you need a warm, supportive space where you can feel safe to explore, learn, and make changes, you've come to the right place! I work with people from diverse backgrounds in a compassionate manner focusing on improving communication, recovering from past trauma, and developing effective strategies for stress/coping. I am directive at times and will challenge you to take on new perspectives and try out new behaviors, but at a pace that is comfortable to you. I use cognitive-behavioral techniques, role-playing, goal setting, exposure/response prevention, assertiveness training, internal family systems, and others.

Unresolved trauma impacts 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.

What do you notice happening when life's demands feel too much? Do you begin to feel consumed by a critical voice? Perhaps hopelessness or shame takeover, and you aren't able to focus on what you need. You keep returning to coping strategies that aren't working, and the chaos of life leaves you exhausted. You know that you are ready for something different. I am here to listen and help you understand the "why" within your struggles. Our work will focus on allowing for all sides of you to have a voice, to be understood, and to have the space to grow.

I know what it’s like to feel helpless, alone, frustrated, confused, unseen, unheard, and unsupported. Also, I know that it’s possible to transform these experiences into something deeply meaningful. The path to this transformation involves time and intention, and the courage to look deeply at oneself. As we learn to understand and relinquish old patterns, new ways of being give forth new hope and possibility. And not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us. What a wondrous experience!

If you are reading this, then chances are you or someone you love is in need of professional counseling. I understand this can be a difficult process and cause significant anxiety. But you are just a simple phone call away. So whether you are struggling with depression or anxiety disorder, marital problems, spiritual abuse or issues of faith, trauma from childhood abuse, or some form of addiction, you have turned to the right place. Together, as a relationship of trust begins, we will identify what you hope counseling will provide and a plan to address that hope.

Everyone thinks you have it all “all together,” but inside it feels like you're spinning out of control. You can’t stay focused. Simple tasks that should be easy feel totally overwhelming and you've started avoiding them completely. Your relationships are suffering, and you feel like it’s all your fault. You want to be easy-going and caring, but you're impatient and irritable. You want to be sociable and fun, but you're withdrawn and flat. The fear of being exposed as a fraud looms over you constantly. You’re not sure what to do but you know it's getting worse.

Your relationship with yourself is reflected in interactions with family, friends, colleagues, professional life and your worldview. How do you seek, expect and provide attunement to yourself and important others? Often unrecognized inter-generational relational themes play a part in the manner of which one seeks connection. Attachment and relational patterns meant to gain closeness can mean one feels known & accepted or invisible & rejected. You can learn to listen to yourself with open-minded curiosity in order to identify your relational style, understanding how it supports or hinders you in life.

"Life is difficult." That's a Scott Peck quote. Healing begins just by embracing this quote. Three simple words, but on a bad day, very true, right? Sunny days seem inaccessible. You've already taken the first step, which is realizing that the listening ear of a therapist just might be helpful. After graduating from Boston U, my emphasis became adolescents, family relationships, and women's issues. This is my practice emphasis, but my door is open to all who are interested in growth and self-reflection.

Karen utilizes non-judgmental and empowering approaches that focus on helping individuals access internal strengths to cope with life's difficulties. She offers unconditional support for improved wellbeing while actively challenging behaviors that may hinder progress. Interventions specific to clients' needs are regularly reviewed in order to provide tools to be used between therapy sessions.

I imagine you are searching for help or answers to some pretty serious questions about yourself, your relationship(s), and/or your symptoms. As a therapist I work to help people, not only with their symptoms, but with seeking to better understand themselves, their relationships, and how they came to be who they are and who they hope to become.

I work exclusively with therapists and coaches who want to bring Internal Family Systems (IFS) more fully into their lives and professional work. Heal your own trauma. Live more effectively from your best Self. Help your clients gain insight and transform their lives. The more Self-led, grounded, and confident you are as a practitioner, the more your clients will heal and the more joy you'll feel in your life and work.

When people decide to come to therapy, they are struggling. They are stressed, suffering, and feeling stuck or lost. In most cases, they are feeling a loss of control over some important aspect of their lives. This loss of control results in symptoms such as depression, anxiety, stress, feelings of guilt or shame, family problems, relationship problems, or problems at work or school. It is my goal to help you regain control of your life!

Are you struggling with various relationships in your life? Do you feel guilty when you try to set boundaries that would be in your best interest? I believe boundaries are essential for our mental health. I help my clients understand their feelings while providing a safe and comforting environment.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience working both as a therapist and doing community-based crisis intervention. I enjoy helping clients to maximize their potential by focusing upon their strengths and past successes. I believe that therapy is a cooperative endeavor that should assist the client in discovering his/her/their own abilities and coping strategies. I relish the opportunity to support clients through trying situations and to help them to process grief. I speak at conferences on HIV/AIDS, work with LGBTQIA clients, and other topics. I served on the HIV service funding Planning Council.

Interested in understanding how past challenges impact life today? Curious about what is getting in the way of your ability to genuinely enjoy a life worth celebrating? We can work together to understand what is happening for you today and open possibilities for your future. Together we identify the best way to address your long or short-term goals.

We thrive as humans when we understand ourselves. I work creatively and compassionately with children, adolescents and adults of all ages to deepen and broaden self-understanding. Emotional pain - like physical pain - is a signal that help is needed and that something must change. Psychotherapy can be that powerful catalyst for healing. I believe in meeting people where they are, listening intently, and co-creating a safe and brave space where my clients can grow.

If your behavior does not reflect your core potential, make this your day to initiate personal growth & evolutionary change. Learn how to discover and employ your personal power to activate transformation! As a Personal Empowerment Coach, I help clients learn cognitive restructuring and behavior modification techniques to release their "authentic self" making change operational in their everyday life. I address physical, mental, emotional & spiritual issues through a wellness paradigm vs. symptom treatment approach. My philosophy is framed from a strength based perspective, "what's well with you" not "what's wrong with you".