Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I work with those who struggle with trauma, relationship problems, and not taking care of oneself first. I have experience working with those who have sexual abuse or assault histories, trauma within problematic relationships, and compassion fatigue. Trauma comes in all sizes and from a variety of experiences, so do not discount what you have lived through. No matter the circumstances that bring you into therapy, we will spend time healing your wounds to help you grow into the person you wish to be, with a stronger sense of safety.

Welcome! I am a firm believer that the therapeutic journey is deeply personal, and I value the strength of the therapeutic relationship. You are an expert in your own life, and my role is to guide you back to your own expertise through self- exploration and growth while finding greater balance overall. I recognize a wide variety of healthy human desires, spiritual practices, relationship organizations, and identities and will meet you where you are at and respect your personal identities and goals. I have over 10 years working in mental health and come from a background in non-profit management, sexuality studies, and fine art.

Whether you are struggling with a specific issue, feel stuck within the cycles of depression or anxiety, or are seeking greater fulfilment and authenticity in your life, therapy can empower you with tools, support and a confiding, trusting relationship. I truly believe that a therapeutic relationship created with the purpose of self-healing is a necessary and powerful framework from which a person can transform their lives. I believe in therapy, and I love what I do! I specialize in working with women and mothers, not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Postpartum Depression/Anxiety, the motherhood identity, parenting, relationships, sexuality, and life changes. I also specialize in working with teens that struggle with Depression, Anxiety and identity, including LGBTQIA and questioning/curious youth.

Life is messy. At River Rock Behavioral Health, we understand that change is slow and effortful; if your problems were easily solved, you wouldn’t be talking to us about them. Whether you are stalled out in your career, overwhelmed by life transitions, or struggling in your relationships, you are not alone. If you are interested in managing anxiety, spending more time on what’s important to you, or clarifying where you are going in your life, we can help.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the state of Missouri. I received a Masters in Counseling Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2017. During my studies, I was a staff counselor at Bastyr University. In addition, I offered low cost therapy to the community at a year long internship at Seattle Therapy Alliance. I spent 4 years as a clinical fellow at Roots Renewal Counseling in St. Louis, MO. I enjoy working with adults experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, OCD, grief/loss, chronic illness, identity development, career, body image and self confidence.

Our world often stigmatizes needing support, but let's face it: no one gets anywhere without help! Change and growth come with challenges, and having the support of a genuine and compassionate therapist can make a positive difference. Whether you are experiencing a significant personal development, struggling to relate to others, or feeling stuck and looking for a change for the better, reaching out to someone trained to help is a critical step towards finding a way to live more authentically. As a therapist, I work with individuals & couples to create a space to process experiences and find a path forward to greater well-being.

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 specialize in offering trauma-informed therapy to LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent adults residing in Missouri. As a queer and trans individual myself, my focus is on co-creating a safe and affirming environment for folks to thrive. I hold space for clients to explore and process their experiences of grief, complex trauma, and challenges stemming from the impacts of living in a traumatic and oppressive society. I particularly enjoy working with queer and neurodiverse individuals who are interested in taking a more deliberate approach to their personal growth and who wish to develop a deeper connection with themselves and their bodies.

Something’s not right, and maybe it hasn’t been for a while, but you know it’s time to make some changes. If you (or you & your partner) need help making that change, I’d be honored to work with you. I take a flexible approach, bringing thoughtfulness and creativity to the process to meet you where you are. Here are areas I help people with most often: anxiety & stress, depression, couples counseling (Gottman Method), trauma (Brainspotting), career counseling & life design, substance use & addiction, men's issues, life transitions, anger, mindfulness, and grief.

Ellie Mental Health in St. Louis-Hampton Avenue, Missouri isn’t your average therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs.

Kela Woods is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri with over 10 years experience in Behavioral Health & Social Services. She obtained a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling at Lindenwood University in St. Charles Missouri. Kela’s work experience includes mental health assessments, diagnosing, treatment planning, referrals, crisis intervention and de-escalation. As a therapist Kela is here to listen, to validate, and to provide support in a safe and non-judgemental setting. Kela’s counseling style is warm, empathetic, and client-centered.

I tailor my approach based on your needs, strengths, and personality. My approaches are very effective for helping find more balanced emotions, taming anxiety and stress, and building healthier relationships. I'm certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Therapy is a unique experience. It provides the opportunity to show up exactly as you are and explore your thoughts, feelings, identities, and relationships without fear of judgement; and to feel heard, accepted, and cared for in return. Life is increasingly hard, and my goal is to provide space to decompress, navigate hardships together, and celebrate your growth and successes. We might be a good fit if you are in a life transition, experiencing anxiety or depression, struggling with body image, have specific goals you'd like to work towards (or would like to identify some!), or simply believe you could be happier.

Connection is the entire point: to self, others, and the world around us. This idea infuses everything I do in my work: my values, my approach, the trainings I attend, the way I view healing and how it happens. So what do we do when we feel disconnected from our emotions, bodies, relationships, families, work, communities, identities, perhaps even from our very sense of self? ​ We do the hard work of reconnecting. I believe reconnection happens in many ways, and therapy is one of those ways, and I would be honored to be your therapist in this life long process.

Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from family or loved ones, hopeless about the future, or like they’re struggling to make decisions or meaningful change. They may be uncertain of how to start the process of change or healing, though they’re ready for growth and understanding.

Welcome, fellow Travelers---on the journey to your new beginnings! I enjoy working with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds and have experience in both hospital and school settings, in addition to private practice. My background includes working with survivors of abuse, those dealing with depression and anxiety, individuals working through grief and other life transitions. If you are ready to explore the next destination on your life journey, please contact me!

Using evidence-based techniques, I will help you look for patterns in your thinking or actions that may be causing problems, often rooted in trauma. I will help you establish healthier relationships, develop better coping skills, set boundaries and aid your ability to connect to your body & emotions while learning to regulate them effectively. Using a warm, genuine and goal-focused approach, you can be assured that whatever issue you have come to therapy to address, I will work to gently, but firmly encourage you to help resolve it. I emphasize praise and rewards for achievements, relying on your strengths as motivators for change.

I work with clients who want to find clarity and fulfillment in their lives. Sometimes life feels overwhelming or stuck, full of new challenges or old hurts. My goal is for you to regain your liveliness. You may be facing a mismatch between who you are and the life you’re living, questions about identity, relationship challenges, family stress, depression, anxiety, past pain like abuse or trauma, or other sources of dissatisfaction. I also specialize in working on burnout and secondary trauma with therapists and helping professionals. Your first steps toward growth and well-being can start with our conversation.

Showing up as your authentic self in the world can be scary. Will I be accepted? Why am I the way that I am? What are these feelings I’m experiencing, and can I trust them? I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore and process all of these questions and more.