Couples Therapists in Kansas City, MO

Hello! Thanks for caring enough about yourself to look for someone who can truly help you with your challenges. I have been a professional for 44 years and can provide genuine help. I am interested to talk with you and find out what you need and want. And I'm ready to answer whatever questions you have about me and how I work with people. There is information about me in this profile and there is even more on my website. The best way to find out whether working with me feels right is to call, come in, and get started.

Yes I have availability. No, I'm not in network with insurance. Your out of network benefits may cover. I'm very easy to talk to. Do you have trouble sleeping? Are you overwhelmed? Do you have a sense of doom? Have friends and/or family commented on the amount of alcohol or drugs you can take? If so, you may benefit from seeing me. Since 1996, I have worked extensively with people struggling with Substance Use Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Grief. I also take a secular approach to those who have experienced religious trauma. If you have struggled with any of these issues, I can definitely help.

I am a medically retired police officer. I provide services anywhere in Missouri and Kan. I hold a certification DBT and in sex addiction treatment, and trained in EMDR I&II, substance use issues, LGBT, and attachment issues. Domestic violence trainer of trainers. Many hours of trainings in trauma. I have worked the national and local suicide hotline. Developed/trained and provided therapy to police officers/wives. Have provided therapy to special clearance service members/wives at FT Carson, FT Warren, and Air Force Academy. I have worked closely with mental health/drug court. I provide therapy to individuals and couples .

Sometimes we experience life changing events that cause us lose sight of our hopes and dreams. Our fears can deceive us into believing that we will never be okay again. We do not have to be defined by what has happened to us. I believe that no matter what we have been through we have the potential to create for ourselves, a happy, rich and full life worth living. It is not easy to overcome the bad experiences but it is possible. Therapy can increase psychological flexibility and allow us to not be open again. If you are tired of being limited and ready to make real changes therapy can help you create the life you wish to have.

Passion Populations & Specializations: LGBTQ+, Couples of all varieties, Women-Empowerment, Teens. I'm in the business of story-shaping. I believe we become the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. I also affirm that people are not defined by their problems. Are you stuck in a story that feels disempowering or defeating? Do you no longer feel like your own narrator? Let me be your co-author and collaborator in creating your counter story—a brand new, one-of-a-kind narrative that aligns with your truest, most authentic self.

Woah, stop for a second. Are you searching for a therapist? That’s a big step. Take your time. Give yourself some credit for being willing to face what’s got you feeling stuck. If you’re looking for someone unafraid of facing it with you, I might be your person. I’m informed by many therapies (like emotion-focused, IFS, and collaborative) but authenticity is always guiding my work. I believe in my clients. And I know that you can feel better if you’re given the right environment. What might that look like? Let’s figure it out together.

Hutchinson & Associates is a private psychology practice of experienced and caring professionals with diverse personal and professional backgrounds. We dedicate our efforts toward helping individuals, couples and families address life challenges through psychotherapy, psychological or neuro-psychological assessments, and forensic evaluation services. We are committed to a policy of strict confidentiality and non-discrimination. We offer expertise in a broad spectrum of psychological issues and treatment approaches for anyone committed to healthy change.

I work with adults, couples , and older teens with many presenting issues. Clients work on grief and loss, including miscarriage, as well as depression and/or anxiety, and phobias, including driving phobia. I work with people with substance abuse & other addictions including smoking, shoplifting and gambling. I utilize EMDR to desensitize traumatic emotions. My practice is welcoming to clients with suicidal ideation, prior attempts, or family survivors. I help couples learn effective communication skills, explore infidelity, sexual issues, & the viability of their relationship. I welcome fellow therapists and other professionals.

For over ten years, I have worked to help individuals and couples empower themselves and achieve desired change in their lives. I believe in a direct, yet compassionate approach to therapy, which stems from my extensive training and experience practicing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Act and Commitment Therapy, therapy for high-conflict couples , and behavioral interventions for eating disordered clients. I focus on utilizing evidence-based therapies, self care, gratitude, mindfulness, skills training, and the client's personal value system in order to nurture hope and help clients achieve their goals.

I have over 30 years of experience working with children, adults, families, and couples . I currently work with teens, adults, and couples needing help navigating various struggles life might hand us. Whether short-term crises, such as job loss, divorce, grief issue, or longer term issues such as child rearing, life-stages, trauma, addictions. I am glad to walk with you on this journey, offering support, validation, and guidance.

Mental health is part of your physical health. You cannot have one without the other. No one is exempt from facing mental health struggles at one time or another in their life. It is not uncommon during times of mental health struggles, either it be an isolated incident of panic, short-term and long-term anxiety, tragedy, situational depression, or circumstances that were out of your control that caused you to have a "new normal." Therapy will alleviate these stressors through a process of personal insight, change, and opening your eyes to a new way of seeing your life and how you react to it.

My clients generally reach out for help when struggling with an adjustment, a loss, or a relationship that has problems. I most often see women, during pregnancy or postpartum, or at other times of crisis or difficulty during their lives. The relationship that I form with my clients is the most important aspect of the therapy, as it is the trust and emotional safety that is the foundation for the work we will do. It is within that therapeutic relationship that a deeper understanding of oneself and change can occur.

**I am not taking new clients at this time** As a therapist, I love hearing others' stories and understanding what makes an individual who they are. I am a seasoned listener and skillful observer and utilize these skills to help my clients gain meaningful knowledge about themselves and their experience. I have experience working with both adults and adolescents, couples , and families. My interests include helping individuals cope with anxiety and depression, life transitions and adjustments, interpersonal relationship issues, trauma, and self-esteem. I particularly enjoy working with adolescents and young adults.

Life can be hard sometimes and full of stress, but my goal is to help provide a sense of inner peace and increase in happiness. I am passionate about the body and mind connection and identifying ways to improve overall happiness to live your best life. Life is meant to be lived and to feel empowered. Finding your own inner strength through improvement in mood, cognitions, and overall well-being. Having a safe space to talk and improve self growth and awareness is critical to improvement in daily functioning. My favorite saying is happiness is good for the soul and finding out that you are capable of that is my motivation!

Life is a journey full of ups and downs, twists and turns, dry valleys, and scenic mountaintops. At times, it can be difficult to navigate. We may resist going in a direction that feels unknown because it is uncomfortable to do things we've never done before; however, it is in the places of discomfort that we can create the most growth and discover our most authentic selves. Maybe you feel stuck, hurt, or abandoned. Maybe you feel stressed, alone, or tired. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself or the people in your life. No matter where you find yourself on your journey, there is hope.

I have been in private practice for over twenty years. During those years I have counseled both individual clients and couples with a variety of issues. These issues include relationship issues, life transitions, abuse, depression, eating disorders, grief, stress, anxiety, sexual identity, and parenting issues. I believe we all go through difficult periods in our lives where we need someone to talk to who can give understanding, support, guidance, tools, and suggestions. I believe that counseling can often help our lives become less painful but instead become more hopeful and fulfilling.

We all have a story to tell, a need to be understood, and a place to belong. I seek to provide a safe place to explore, dream, grieve, process, hope, learn, and pursue growth and transformation. I feel deeply honored to bear witness to the stories and experiences of the clients that I see, as I strive to help illuminate the path to healing and wholeness. I believe that all clients, whether I am working with individuals, couples , or families, have unique strengths and remarkable resilience that can be leveraged to meet their therapeutic goals.

Perhaps you - or you and your partner - are standing on a threshold, a doorway between the life you have known and the life ahead of you. You may feel disconnected from yourself, from what used to give your life meaning, from that spark that used to enliven your relationship. You are walking in the dark, overwhelmed by the unknown, maybe feeling depressed or anxious, or both. I am here to sit with you in that scary, and sometimes exciting space, to help you be attentive to your deepest needs, fears, and longings, to communicate clearly and gently, and to uncover the deep well of wisdom and love that lies within and between you.

Families face a multitude of stressors today which can pull relationships apart. Helping families, couples , and teenagers/adolescents identify and cope with these stressors is my passion. If you are facing issues as a family or couple, or have concerns with your teenager/adolescent, my approach to therapy may be what you are looking for. I use a strength based approach to therapy, focusing on solutions to improve communication and reduce conflict and stress in your relationships. Having a safe, relaxed place for clients to work on issues is important to me.