Therapists in Webster Groves, MO

As a sex addiction therapist, trained EMDR clinician, and nationally certified psychotherapist, I work with individuals struggling with intense urges, emotions, and conflict. New clients come to me feeling isolated, in pain, and on edge due to having nowhere to express their toughest emotions. Many grew up in a traumatic family of origin with messages like "Suck it up" and "Don't cry" being taught to them. My clients come to me to say the things that they couldn't otherwise say to anyone else.

Why is it so hard to break the cycle of codependency, people-pleasing behaviors, and crap-fitting? Because codependency, aka, "self-love deficit disorder" is a lot like drug addiction. Most people are not ready to face the withdrawal symptoms like core loneliness and guilt, and succumb to their old patterns. You might even experience symptoms of PTSD from toxic relationships. In order to heal, you must have determination and guidance. It's going to be the hardest thing you have ever done, but you can be free. There's simply no other way around it.

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.

Life can be difficult. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and to lose our sense of well-being and security. We look around each day and wonder why other people seem to have no trouble living life free from the sort of difficulties with which we struggle. We can begin to feel hopeless. But there is something inside each and every one of us, something beautiful and strong that cannot be touched by our trauma and recurring troubles, but can be obscured by them. Reconnecting with this part of ourselves in a safe, healing atmosphere can help us meet life’s challenges with a greater measure of peace with ourselves and the world.

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.

Today is a new day! Having someone to listen without judgment is a tremendous gift. It can remove the loneliness and despair that can happen when life gets to be too much to bear. Perhaps you've had therapy before but something's still missing. You've done everything you can think of or that your previous therapist told you. You are dedicated to your personal growth. You engage in regular practices and are committed to do whatever it takes to be your best self. Despite some real progress, the deeper relief you've been looking for hasn't occurred just yet.

Sometimes life gets uncomfortable, and there may be days where it feels like you expend all of your energy just getting through the day. I will work with you to not only ‘look back’ at the choices, events or biological factors that may have caused the current distress or situation, but also gently guide you to a place of personal change and healing.

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.

Greetings! Welcome and thank you for considering me as your therapist. It is said that the reason two antelope walk side by side is to blow the dust from each other's eyes (African proverb). In today's world, it seems harder than ever to find clarity in the midst of chaos. Living with unaddressed chaos and unresolved pain can leave us feeling stuck and disconnected from those who love us and who may be able to help us. Sometimes, due to life circumstances, we struggle to find our way back to ourselves, our family and our God.

If you are anything like me, you have had a moment in your life when you asked yourself "How can I make the pain stop?" For me, therapy is one option for hurting individuals who want to work through pain to find answers to life's experiences & questions. I have had the privilege & challenge to walk alongside individuals, couples and families working to initiate the road to recovery that is so often littered with significant loss & conflict. If you are thinking of starting therapy and are feeling really anxious or hopeless, you are not alone!

*Yes, I am gay :)* I believe that therapy is for everyone, because everyone deserves this sacred space to look into the mirror and see themselves. Sometimes the reflection isn’t pretty. Sometimes there are things we wish we didn’t see. However, witnessing and recognizing the pain and sadness is the first part of moving through it. That’s where the therapist comes in, to stand by patiently and point out the behaviors, beliefs, thoughts, and feelings that are causing us pain. They are the person who helps us shed everything that is holding us back so that we can finally become the person we always knew we could be.

When you think of a well-rounded individual, the first thing you may think about is someone who is happy with their life and rolls with whatever life brings them. More often than not these days life has had some pitfalls. There is no reason to be ashamed.

We all face challenges. It's how we respond to those challenges that matters. My passion is to help clients is live their lives to the fullest. I have 30+ years of experience as a therapist with individuals, couples, and families in both nonprofit and private practice sectors. My background as a consultant and trainer includes work with residential facilities, hospitals, schools, the Department of Defense, and organizations throughout north America and 11 countries. I have authored/coauthored 15 books and am a Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at Maryville University and Sr. Clinical Advisor at Youth In Need, Inc.

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 have specialized training in traumatic stress and addiction and use an attachment focused perspective taking special care to understand present difficulties in the context of early relational experiences. As a therapist I believe that symptoms resulting from stressful life experiences can be treated using validated scientific interventions. Addiction can often accompany traumatic stress. In an effort to cope, individuals frequently find themselves trapped by the comforting yet costly effects of addictive or compulsive behaviors.

As a transgender therapist, one of my passions is working with clients who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ population. I enjoy collaborating with individuals who are exploring their gender and/or sexual identities and hope to offer guidance and compassion as they let go of any residual societal expectations. I have undergone the entire process of hormones, top surgery, and bottom surgeries, and I am open with my clients about my experiences as we work to decrease their gender dysphoria and move toward the eventual goal of gender euphoria.