Couples Counseling Therapists in Independence, MO

I believe that we all deserve the opportunity to be active participants in our lives and partnerships. In therapy, we can work toward this goal by noticing patterns and themes while building the confidence to make meaningful change. My client-centered approach means that you define your own goals and I challenge you to achieve them, offering support and understanding along the way. When working with clients I bring systemic issues into the room by acknowledging the negative impacts of a society that was made to empower far too few of us.

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.

I have experience working with individuals, couples and families. Some of the most common issues I work with are improving communication, anger management, building self-esteem, increasing self-awareness, and restructuring unhelpful beliefs. I work collaboratively with clients to establish therapeutic goals and create an environment where the optimal change can occur.

Finding love is hard, and then when you do find love it is a whole different kind of hard to maintain that relationship . You may have noticed that your relationship feels harder than it used to, you feel disconnected from your partner , or are having more feelings of anger and resentment. While you are not alone in these struggles or feelings, you also do not have to continue to feel that way. Seeking help for your relationship can help you rediscover those initial “sparks” and even help you develop a deeper connection. Growth and change are hard and often scary, but the results are always worth it.

I believe that all humans have the capacity for growth, but that growth is often thwarted by a lack of self-compassion or self-confrontation. I aim to help clients nurture their deepest and most hidden wounds, to examine the motives driving their actions, and to access new levels of joy and fulfillment by honoring the best parts of themselves. I specialize in working with couples where the power is imbalanced between partners, often resulting in feelings of helplessness. I help couples struggling with communication, disconnection, contemplating divorce or separation.

*I am not currently accepting new clients. Sorry!* I am an experienced clinical psychologist who has spent 15 years developing my knowledge and skills for addressing problems that occur in families such as problematic parent-child dynamics. I am also well equipped to address internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, and PTSD in children, teens, and adults. While I use evidenced-based techniques that are informed by scientific research, I do so in the context of a warm and caring therapeutic relationship . I strive to understand your personal struggles without minimizing what you are going through.