Therapists in Missouri

I know reaching out for help can be daunting and overwhelming. I am here to make this process easier for you. I have worked with individuals and families from differing backgrounds, experiences, and concerns. My counseling style is strength-based, meaning I like to focus on the many positive traits you already possess and work collaboratively to reach the goals you would like to achieve. We are all searching for acceptance and understanding. I am here to help. I have extensive experience working with individuals that have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, phobias, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, and non-monogamous relationships.

Everyday life isn’t supposed to feel quite this hard or overwhelming, right? Maybe you wish you could manage your emotions or stress better. Perhaps something awful or painful happened that has you wondering if you'll ever feel "normal" or well again. Hi, my name is Deborah and I have the honor of empowering people on their courageous journeys to find ease and joy in living again. Join me in a safe and affirming space to gain insight on the origins of your struggles and find lasting healing. I offer in-person sessions in my O'Fallon office, or online telehealth sessions.

Are you having trouble finding joy and meaning in life, healing from the past, or finding your way? I believe the path can get cloudy for everyone at some point, and that therapy is a great tool for finding clarity and healing. Let me walk with you on your journey towards peacefulness and positive change.

I specialize in working with sexual trauma and those experiencing chronic pelvic floor pain. I am a therapist for those wanting to re-establish a sense of safety in their bodies and improve their relationships. I believe that everyone deserves to experience pleasure and to live comfortably in their bodies. Trauma can cause us to believe that we are stuck. I am here to assist you in developing new ways of connecting with yourself and others.

Many of my clients have had previous experiences in therapy before reaching my office. They feel at the end of their rope as traditional talk therapy hasn't facilitated the changes they need. They often hear how resilient or insightful they are but struggle to feel closeness and safety in relationships or to access positive emotions. Or, they might have been told that the intensity of their emotions is too much for their therapist or loved ones to handle. Overall, they are looking for therapist with an in-depth approach for their specific concerns, and are ready connect with a clinician who is invested in doing just that.

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.

Feeling stuck or having trouble moving on from traumatic events that have happened to you? Do you feel like you’re trying to escape from negative thoughts and feelings? Is this impacting important relationships in your life? Many trauma survivors often feel stuck in the past and that they cannot escape from negative thoughts and overwhelming feelings. Often, these individuals turn to drugs, alcohol, and other coping mechanisms that may be ineffective. Imagine if you could use your brain’s natural healing process to regain control of your life and develop healthier ways of coping with distressing thoughts and feelings.

Accepting New Patients! You're a mother who has tried therapy. You felt heard and supported but you don't feel different, and motherhood has made everything more intense! You understand your past more and maybe even feel like the expert on yourself. When the past comes up you cry, tense up, get defensive, yell, people please, isolate yourself, feel guarded, helpless, or even voiceless. You're scared it impacts you as a mom, partner/spouse, friend, and woman. You feel anxious, unheard, unsatisfied, unsafe, or unloved. Sometimes you think, "I suck!" You desperately want to release what swirls around your head and body but feel stuck.

Maybe you are here because you're feeling stressed after a difficult, scary, or painful life event. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed and isolated by your emotions. Maybe you're already feeling not good enough and the idea of talking to someone feels like a lot. But at the same time, you're considering that what you need most might be acceptance and a safe person to process with. If you or your child/teen are feeling stuck, I am glad you are here! I can help you reconnect with your sense of calm and work through your struggles to find your growth.

Is something holding you back from truly living life and experiencing joy? Are obtrusive thoughts keeping you stuck and unable to live in the moment? Do you long for more fulfilling relationships with others? You Are Not Alone! Having someone to connect with and share your story can be one of the best ways to start making the changes you want and deserve. As your therapist I will provide a judgement free space that is safe for you to drop the mask you have been wearing and share the inner thoughts that have been occupying your mind.

Loving your larger body is the shit. You don't need to take a quiz to know that you have low self-esteem, or that it’s related to having a larger body. You may find yourself hating yourself, putting yourself down constantly, dieting, shifting the conversation back to other people so that you don’t have to talk about yourself, following all of the rules so that you don’t get hurtful critical feedback, putting everyone else’s needs first, or struggling to say no. If you're also LGBTQ+ in Missouri, you face even more hurdles. All of these things can add up to major feelings of unworthiness.

I strive to ensure you feel seen and cared for throughout our work together. Individual Therapy, especially for challenges that accompany addiction and recovery, or LGBTQIA+ related issues, is a process of understanding the internal and external energies, sometimes beyond our awareness, that guide us in both helpful and harmful ways. We all tell stories about ourselves rooted in profound moments in our lives and impactful relationships. Through therapy we can uncover new stories that better define who we are, what we want, and allow us to heal.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already struggling and in need of support. I believe that feeling seen and heard can serve as a powerfully reparative experience, especially in a space of non-judgment and acceptance. I am honored and committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment to help clients connect with themselves in an authentic, safe, and self-compassionate way. I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, utilizing a neuro-biologically focused approach that assists restoration of the authentic self with self-regulation, wholeness, and a sense of aliveness.

Hi! I'm Alex, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. I utilize a variety of science-based theories and techniques, such as DBT and EMDR, that have been clinically shown to help people change, experience relief from suffering, and improve their lives. I have extensive experience working with trauma, cPTSD and PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Adult Autism, Anxiety, Depression, and Dissociative Identity Disorder. By offering unconditional acceptance and support, I provide a safe space for us to work together so that you can reach your goals.

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.

I love to work with clients who are motivated to heal the trauma of their past. That trauma can be due to Family of Origin, abuse, neglect, LGBTQIA+ Struggles, medical trauma, religious trauma, sexual abuse, a single event, or a combination of these. Typically, my clients want to gain function in daily life as well as be able to relate to others in a way that works better than what they are currently doing. They are tired of being triggered and their trauma response ruling their lives, so they want to take charge again.

I am licensed in the states of Missouri, Kansas, and Utah as a LSCSW, LCSW, and LCAC. I am trained in Trauma Informed Care, CBT trained, and thoroughly trained in Motivational Interviewing/Person Centered approaches to ensure that my clients are able to make progress with issues that are important to and for them. I use modern approaches to help individuals achieve goals and make personal improvements in their lives. My passion is to help you through difficult, accomplish your goals, and have the life you want. I ALSO focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.

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.

This isn’t your average therapy. I specialize in EMDR intensive therapy to help clients achieve rapid change and healing in the areas of love, money, and family dysfunction. People come to me because they are done feeling stuck. In my sessions, we don’t sit around talking endlessly and getting nowhere. I use EMDR therapy to help clients find the root cause of their issue and pull it out - creating the real, lasting change they’ve always wanted and never thought they could have. You do not have to continue feeling this way.