Therapists in Lawrence, KS

Therapy is about making a personal connection for change. Over 30 years as a family psychologist I've logged some 31,000 hours face-to-face with teens, young adults, couples and families on issues ranging from life adjustment to major psychological disorders. I am a certified sex therapist (AASECT) and Board Certified in Couples and Family Psychology (ABPP). I'm equally comfortable with straight and LGBTQ clients. Please check my website for further details on my training, experience, books and scope of practice.

I am a dedicated and compassionate social worker therapist with expertise in helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. I provide therapeutic interventions and support for teens and adults facing various challenges such as anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and navigating life transitions. I also work with couples and families to help facilitate positive communication and understanding and work with individuals grappling with substance abuse, incorporating spiritual principles found in the 12-step program, including honesty, open-mindedness, compassion, and service.

Accepting New Clients: I believe one of the most courageous things you can do is to reflect on your life story and acknowledge your barriers to living a life that aligns with your core values. As a clinician, I work with clients to create a blueprint on how to live a life that is filled with vitality and purpose. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who primarily works with married couples, young adults, and adolescents. Additionally, I teach an Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents that struggle with anxiety and depression.

In the nearly 20 years I’ve spent working in the field of mental health and trauma, I’ve deeply appreciated the honor given to me when being invited on the healing journey of a survivor. I believe a strong therapeutic alliance of empathy, compassion, and hope is the key to working together to address the challenges inherent in healing from traumatic wounds. I work with a strong stance of empathy that is directed and guided by various evidenced-based modalities as well as the most recent research in the neuroscience of trauma.

There is a Swedish proverb that reads, “shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow”. At some point in our lives, everyone needs someone to create space for them. A space to celebrate our joy. A space for our sorrow to be gently held. I believe therapy can be that place for you. Through counseling you can become a happier, healthier version of yourself with time, effort, and support. Showing up for yourself is perhaps one of the best gifts you can ever give yourself and it can also be intimidating to take that first step. Know that you are not alone.

You did not get hurt alone, and you do not have to heal alone. Whether you are coming to therapy with lots of life stressors, recent traumas, or old wounds, my desire is to listen deeply to you. Often we can feel trapped by ideas of what we're "supposed" to feel, or by the expectations we feel from others. I want to make space for you to get in touch with what's really true for you. I believe that you are the ultimate expert on yourself, and I have deep respect for your inner guidance in navigating life.

I support & guide clients who are ready for change & are prepared to do the work in therapy. This means if you are coming to see me for anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions or feeling stuck with your current situation that when you come into work with me, you are ready to take action to align your intentions/healing goals with tangible actions & working with your thoughts. In sessions I will challenge you, validate you, push you towards your authentic self & assist you in finding out what your true needs & wants are to move forward into embodying yourself in ways that allow you to create the life of your choice.

If you need relief from depression or anxiety, assistance in handling life's challenges, acceptance and support, or just a place to cultivate hope, I believe I can help. Life has its ups and downs, and everyone experiences difficult days. Sometimes things become overwhelming, and that is when seeking therapy may be the best choice. I have seen the power of therapy in promoting healing and building resilience. I value authenticity, which I bring to my practice, along with a caring, connected, and collaborative approach to helping you reach your goals.

I have worked in the Lawrence community providing mental health services for more than 15 years. I primarily work with adolescents and adults. Therapy is a process of identifying and initiating small shifts in thought, feelings and behaviors that lead to healthier patterns of living with ourselves and others. I work with individuals and families to identify a path to improving your quality of life, relationships, and functioning. I have extensive experience treating ADHD, depression, anxiety, working through co-parenting, high conflict divorce, family conflicts, and supporting the transition to work, college, and life after college.

Spence Counseling Center has over 15 Christian counselors in several locations throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas allowing us to serve more populations with a wider variety of issues. Through all the changes in all the years, our mission has remained the same: bringing help, healing, and freedom to the hurting, wounded, and lonely people of this world. As Spence Counseling Center moves forward into the future, our dedication to our mission remains the same as does our commitment to Christ-centered integrative therapy.

I am a co-owner and co-founder of an integrated mental health agency in Lawrence, KS. I got into the field of mental health to tackle the tough cases, to facilitate healing and growth for people at all stages of life, to have fun and do meaningful, transformative work in the process. I have a comprehensive academic background in therapy, theories of change, psychology, neuroscience, and related areas. My main goal is taking this knowledge and creatively adapting it to modern, dynamic, and ever-changing problems and needs. I would love the opportunity to work with you.

Do you find yourself on the outside of the life you wish you were living? Are feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression blocking your way? Are you struggling with relationship, family issues, or the continuing pain of traumatic events? You don’t have to find your way forward alone. Healing requires connection, and a space for validation.

“People start to heal the moment they feel heard”. Research shows that a primary factor in determining success of therapy is the therapeutic alliance; I fully believe in the healing power of simply feeling seen and heard. Before any modalities or interventions are successful, we must first feel aligned with, safe and trust the therapist we are working with.

Do you experience depression or anxiety? Are you struggling with chronic pain or related health concerns? You are not alone. Many people are suffering with depression or anxiety that is intertwined with chronic physical health concerns. For so many individuals there is increased isolation and shame related to pain, disease, and other health related conditions. Finding your way to this spot is the path you are on and I can help.

I work with adults and adolescents who have found themselves overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, and/or the complex stress of surviving trauma and loss. I find that when individuals are given the space to be open and honest about their experience with no judgement, they are better able to draw on their own strengths and skills to begin healing. I also offer psychoeducation and cognitive skills to empower clients with a better understanding of how to influence their mental/emotional health to achieve increased functioning and well-being.

Everyone needs support and validation. I strive to provide a space where people can feel safe and heard. I want to work with you to build a trusting and collaborative relationship where you can feel free to be your true self.

Life always gives us challenges, be that in our relationships, at work, within our families and even the way we relate to ourselves; sometimes those challenges become overwhelming and we feel we can't face them or cope, we want to hide or give up. I invite my clients to join me in learning how to navigate these difficulties in their lives by providing them with first the space to be vulnerable and then the tools to have greater insight and ability to face the challenges in a way that can lead them to resolution and healing. The first step to begin healing is allowing yourself to ask for help on this journey.

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS.....If you’re interested in becoming a better, happier, more fulfilled you, I’d love to work with you every step of the way. Please contact me! My personal goal as a clinician is to help you gain insight, access new coping skills and feel empowered. Whether you are struggling with trauma, suicidal ideations, addiction, or dual diagnosis, it is my goal to provide a different perspective with your concerns and help you better understand your emotions. I strive to provide safe and supportive space to encourage personal growth, hope, and healing.

Though raised in Kansas, I received my Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Missouri in Columbia (Go Tigers!). I have been working in health care for over 15 years including time in intensive care, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and addiction medicine. I received my Master’s Degree from Simmons University in Boston, MA and am board certified in both family medicine and addiction medicine with a speciality in psychiatry for all ages. I am passionate about medication assisted treatment including buprenorphine induction and titration. I have worked as a nurse practitioner in both inpatient an