Psychoanalytic Therapists in Clayton, MO

I have over 20 years of experience working in a therapeutic setting. My approach places a central focus on development of a strong therapeutic relationship and creating a space where one can explore personal issues. Symptoms are often what bring people to seek therapy. I see a symptom as a means for understanding the underlying issues that cause them. I have experience working with adults and adolescents (ages 13 and older). In support of working with adolescents, I also work with parents in a parallel manner.

When the challenges of life and relationship present you with complex dilemmas and create painful or uncomfortable symptoms, therapy offers an opportunity for healing and long-lasting psychological change. The power of therapy is in the way it expands your choice in behaviors or ways of seeing others, yourself and your life circumstances. Through a compassionate journey of self-exploration I will help you work toward a fuller understanding of yourself which will lead to greater choice in how you live, love, work and play. It is a privilege to join you on your journey of self-discovery and healing.

I have over thirty-five years of experience treating individuals, couples, and families dealing with depression, anxiety disorders, marital discord, and family dysfunction. Changing oneself, therefore changing others around you, can lead to happier relationships. Understanding and insight can raise self-esteem. I provide a safe, confidential, and trusting environment to explore one's feelings and consider options to produce different and improved results. Video and telehealth sessions have been added to accommodate the COVID-19 safety protocols.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered / Board Certified Art Therapist working with adults, adolescents, and children. My approach to therapy begins with forming a safe, therapeutic relationship that allows you to explore life transitions, emotional pain, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or eating disorders. We will move beyond symptom management and help you to identify and develop understanding of the deeper meaning of the presenting symptoms. Often, the symptoms are external manifestations of conflicts and core beliefs rooted in the inner world or attempts to avoid the pain of past and current life experiences.

My life's work is to help individuals understand intimately themselves through psychotherapy. To utilize the deeper levels of the self, achieve richer relationships,and an appreciation for who they are. Primary, to successful therapy is the relationship between the client and therapist. My work: Children,Adolescents and Adults. Child/Adolescents-self esteem,depression anxiety, relationship, family issues, school issues. Adults: depression, anxiety, relationship,gender issues,grief. Psychotherapist/Psychoanalyst, child, adolescent and adult and seniors. Faculty member/the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute(president 2010-2013), Asst. Clinical professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, St. Louis Universityjoint appt./Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

I believe in the importance of creating a safe space to examine your life and the challenges you are facing. Together we can work through whatever has felt insurmountable for you to face alone. People are often unaware of the reasons behind their behavior and thoughts, so working together, we can navigate the root of your struggles to attain a deeper understanding of who you are, who you want to be, and how to get there. You will be the driver of change in your life.

Understanding that we all approach turbulent waters at some point, it can seem impossible to ride out those waves on our own. How do I get back to feeling like my old self? Why do I feel stuck? How can I get through this? Can I do this on my own? Sometimes that answer is no, sometimes we need that push. Let's work together to build stability, understanding, and calmness. Let's create a place for you to grow. I approach clients with genuine curiosity and respect. I want you to take your journey as I help illuminate the path. I work with clients to identify stressors in hopes of building awareness to work through heightened emotions.

Do you notice that you struggle with the same kinds of problems, emotions, and relationships over and over again? Have you tried different coping skills without success? Do you turn to things like substances, unhealthy relationships, or mindless internet scrolling to take the edge off sadness, anger, fear, or loneliness? Explorative, insight-oriented, in-depth psychotherapy can help you understand and finally transform these dynamics, increasing your well-being and sense of self. This lasting change offers an opportunity to expand your world.

It is my belief that as many paths to wholeness exist as were, are, or will be, people on this planet. Walking our individual paths in pursuit of meaning and purpose is a universal goal. Sometimes life presents us with vexing challenges just when we are determined to accomplish personally and or collectively valuable goals. Or our growth is impeded by painful events that happen to us during the course of living. The path & or goal becomes unclear. And so, my role in the therapeutic process is akin to a guide. Recommending, encouraging, questioning, witnessing you seek to find the best possible expression of your unique wholeness.

As we go throughout our lives, we often tend to get all wrapped up in the journey to provide a better life for ourselves and our loved ones. However, sometimes we don't take enough time to show love to ourselves, and we are often left feeling unfulfilled, restless, or exhausted. Whether you are facing issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or even just need some help "doing life" in a different way, my hope is that I can offer a space where you can breathe, speak freely, and decompress from the daily stresses of life, as I meet you right where you're at in this present moment.

I am a licensed professional counselor who works from a client-centered approach. My goal is to provide a warm and compassionate environment where you can feel safe to share and process your experiences. I think of counseling as a place to gain greater insight and self-awareness around core beliefs. I will work with you to identify patterns of maladaptive coping and learn healthier ways to cope with life's challenges.

Our symptoms have something to say. Different symptoms bring people into psychotherapy: anxiousness, chronic sadness, creative and artistic block, loneliness, addictions, sexual obsessions. Symptoms are a language, and though they are often labeled as depression or anxiety, the meaning of a symptom is unique to the person who suffers with it. Symptoms are painful, but they are also startlingly creative, personal and specific. Sometimes the body is asked to express the scary, painful things that words cannot. When physical symptoms occur without a medical explanation, we can look to them to help us understand the mental and emotional landscape.

You are going through life surviving but aren't really thriving. On the outside, people might not even notice anything is wrong. Inside, you're second guessing yourself & struggling to find balance. It's difficult to feel like you know who you are or how to be yourself around other people. These feelings may be affecting your relationships, school, parenting or career. Through our work together I will help you engage more fully in the present, & work towards the best version of yourself. It is hard work but can be done with gentle guidance. I'm trained in EMDR, CBT and EFT.

I enjoy helping people to empower themselves and find their own skills to return to their optimal mental health functioning. I enjoy working with teens, adolescents, couples and older adults. We can achieve your goals one step at a time!

I can help by providing tools to escape feeling anxious, depressed, fearful, overworked, underappreciated, or overwhelmed. It has been reported that the single most important factor in determining the success of therapy is not the therapeutic model the practitioner uses, rather it is the therapeutic relationship. Knowing this, I strive to make you feel comfortable and begin to trust the therapeutic process. As we explore problems and dilemmas, you will gain new insights and perspectives.

Therapy is an experience where human beings learn to live differently. Differently is the key word. Different can look like less depression, more spontaneity, or deeper and more mutual relationships. Different can be learning to say "yes," "no," or "maybe." Different can be improved physical health, less anxiety, or sustained sobriety. When one begins treatment there's usually a percolating idea of what needs to be different. Helping you clarify the ways you'd like to live differently, what has gotten in your way up to this point, and how those changes can be made is psychotherapy.

As a counselor, I believe that it is important to first establish a relationship which is built on acceptance, trust and understanding. I believe that without these traits the therapeutic process cannot take place. Therefore, it is my job to provide for you a safe place of compassion and stability so that we can successfully take this journey together.

I have been treating all age groups in the St. Louis area for over 35 years. My in depth training as both a psychologist and psychoanalyst for children and adults provides a full spectrum of skills to treat short and long term issues for all age groups. I am highly skilled at meeting a person where they are to help them, through connection with me and my understanding of them, reach new and emotionally healthier places in their life. In addition to the areas of specialties listed I work with mother/infant dyads and children who are adopted and their parents achieve more satisfying attachments.

Do you feel something is missing, despite having met many of the metrics by which our culture defines "success"? Whether you are grappling with feeling stuck, inhibited, or stymied by self-sabotage, or you simply need a witness while navigating an existential turning point, please know that therapy is not just for those in crisis. My ideal client holds the hope that therapy can enrich, illuminate, and deepen the lives we already have. If you have a hunch there is more to this life than what is on the surface, you may want to try psychodynamic psychotherapy.