Therapists in Missouri

Life can feel hard or overwhelming and sometimes we can all use a little help. I have over 13 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and groups helping them navigate through various life issues they have faced. Some of my work with individuals has included dealing with anxiety, depression, self esteem and intimacy issues as well as working through traumatic experiences. In my work with couples, I have assisted in strengthening communication skills, finding areas for connection, and creating healthier boundaries and expectations, couple intimacy, sexual issues and dysfunction.

I am a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist (MFT) and an approved supervisor through the State of Missouri Board of MFT and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. My clinical experience is with individuals, couples, and families related to sexuality, communication, conflict, and parent-child relationships with queer & trans youth. I utilize emotionally-focused, attachment-based, and playful interventions for unsticking the stuck parts of life. I have extensive couple & sexuality training and experience as a certified Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (MO), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (KS) and Certified Sex Therapist who believes in the importance of laughter and understanding in our lives and in treatment. I adhere to a teamwork approach which allows you and I to create a safe and supportive treatment environment uniquely suited for you and your individual needs. I have specialized training in the fields of sex and relationship therapy and specialize in working with issues related to female sexuality/ sexual empowerment, romantic relationships and gender identity in individuals age 18+.

Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Are you struggling with painful thoughts and emotions? Maybe the pandemic has created some new problems for you, or brought up old stuff. Or perhaps, you're doing okay in your day-to-day life, but have been wondering if therapy could help you do some deeper work. In any case, I'm here to help. I support folks in learning more effective ways to work through their emotional struggles, and creating a life of meaning, pleasure, and authenticity. I also enjoy working with folks on identity, life transitions, personal growth, and sexual self-empowerment.

Empathy, authenticity, and unconditional acceptance are the fundamental qualities I cultivate in my relationships with my clients. I try to create a safe place where you can be vulnerable and feel validated while also gaining room for self-compassion, hope, and healing. My approach to therapy is holistic, though I am drawn to attachment and person-centered theories within a multicultural and existential framework; everyone's story is different and well-lived. I strongly believe in the possibility of change, despite what we have lived or what we are currently living through.

Michelle enjoys working with Couples in distress, Individuals who are wanting to resolve problems expressing as depression, anxiety or problematic behaviors and Parent Guidance for children's problems within Family therapy. With past experience in Nursing and an undergraduate degree in Theology; Michelle approaches counseling with a broad understanding of what in a person's life and relationships might need a new kind of balance or understanding so that emotions can be healed, behaviors changed and relationships renewed. Michelle strives to combine a tender supportiveness with confident guidance to help people move actively towards their goals.

I’m the person you want to see when you are ready to be challenged, encouraged, and guided through your life story. I’m someone who understands why we behave the way we do, and that these behaviors are learned and adaptive. There is nothing wrong with you, and I am here to challenge your thoughts against this. I genuinely enjoy working with clients who have found themselves in a place they didn't think they would be. I will walk you through what is happening in your life, not around it. I help my clients learn who they are, navigate their own needs and desires, and learn how to walk through life with compassion for themselves.

Have you been combing the St. Louis area for a therapist, only to be discouraged because no one felt like the right fit? Been there. Have you been putting off seeing someone because the thought of laying on a chaise lounge, talking about yourself to a stranger across the room for an hour gives you heartburn? Been there. Have you been avoiding getting help because you feel like that means you actually have to acknowledge that you need it? Holy moly, I’ve been there. While I can’t speak to your experience, I understand that the decision to go to therapy can feel impossibly hard. Seeking therapy/treatment shouldn’t feel like a burden.

I have a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Avila University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia with training in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Gottman Method Couple's Therapy & Play Therapy. Beyond my education, I have experience working with children ages 3 and up, adolescents, and adults with a variety of mental health issues, including severe and persistent mental illnesses, addictions, trauma, abuse, neglect, couples and relationship issues, grief and loss, and mood/anxiety disorders. I use a multidisciplinary approach based on the individual and their specific need and therefore use a variety of therapeutic models.