Optum Therapists in Kirkwood, MO

My general approach with working with clients for over 17 years is highly individualized, relational and strengthen based. I believe most clients simply need an environment to communicate, process feelings and gain insight in order to create a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I offer individual therapy for adolescents, adults and family therapy. My passion has always been treating eating disorders and the underlying causes such as depression and anxiety. Another clinical passion and area of focus has been assisting women and mothers with identity development and navigating life transitions.

I work with individuals who are navigating grief and loss, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, life transitions and identity development. In therapy, I balance addressing symptoms and looking beyond the surface to address the underlying emotions driving behavioral and interpersonal patterns. By learning new adaptive coping strategies and gaining insight into the early development of current emotional wounds or maladaptive behaviors, clients can feel empowered to create positive change.

Hello! Are you feeling stressed, worried, or down and need to talk? I would love to get to know you, listen, and help. I am a person centered, goal driven counselor who leads with an empathetic, warm and supportive approach. My goal is to help you work through your complaints with a positive and non-judgmental perspective on the situation. I have a passion for working with young adults transitioning to work or college, working with adults balancing work and home life and working with individuals with disabilities to help maintain employment.

Life is hard. But that doesn't mean that enjoyment and freedom are distant, idealistic concepts. Whether you are experiencing difficulties in relationships or individually, therapy can be an empowering and life-changing tool. Within my practice, I seek to understand you, first and foremost. I also approach counseling with a goal to modify current thoughts and behaviors, as well as understand why those thoughts and behaviors exist. Through this, you gain the tools and insight to create lasting change.

I have a wide range of knowledge of the rehabilitation process of individuals with various physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and psychological impairments. I have experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction/substance abuse, divorce and relationship issues. I enjoy helping others successfully navigate through life's difficult challenges and strive to assist my clients to reach their highest personal potential and to live their best lives.

Hello! I am passionate about serving others and I offer therapy services in additional to being a school counselor. I focus on parenting, anxiety/stress management for moms, educators and healthcare workers, and coping skills for adolescents and children. I also enjoy helping young adults through life's challenges and career decisions. If you're looking for a comfortable and encouraging space to find relief from anxiety and depression, problem solve, adjust to life transitions, gain new perspectives, and strengthen your coping skills and resiliency, then please reach out.

Katie Hurley is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and has additional certifications in EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). As a clinician, she is trained to treat PTSD/complex trauma, depression, low self worth, anxiety, shame, and family conflict. She utilizes many treatment modalities including: EMDR, TF-CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sand Tray Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

Are you having trouble feeling happy? Are you avoiding fun activities or struggling with frequent worry? This may be depression or anxiety. If you have had an automobile accident. If you have fallen and have continued headaches, difficulty with memory or balance or you just "don't feel right" after a head injury or sudden jolt to the head and neck. You may be suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome. Occasionally we all need help with life's difficulties. When friends and family can no longer help. It may be time to talk with a caring professional. I would love to help you get back on the road to wellness one tiny step at a time.

*Accepting New Clients* Often life events and personal stress can lead us to a point of pain, feeling that we have no control over the course of our lives or meaningful ways to cope. I would love to assist you with identifying personal strengths that will increase your ability to negotiate difficult emotions, stressors and life events. I will encourage you to grow, develop resilience and explore new ways of experiencing the world with a curious, thoughtful mindset. This curiosity leads to an increasing awareness of yourself, your needs and solutions for challenging issues.

I understand how challenging being an adolescent can be. I have worked with adolescents for over 21 years. I can offer a private, confidential and safe environment to be able to work through those challenges. I can help with: anxiety, depression, school issues, being bullied, resolving conflicts, Asperger's Syndrome, social skills, identity struggles, drugs and alcohol issues, and a stressful home life. I am ready to take on those challenges with you and show you that you can overcome them.

Our mental health is impacted by our physiology as well as a variety of environmental factors. My approach as a therapist is to get to know you and your unique story very well. In the process, we identify which parts play what role and how best to heal. I work collaboratively with you to optimize functioning, restore inner peace and find happiness. Allow me to help you along on your healing and growth journey.

I specialize in mental health issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, learning disabilities, physical disabilities (including sudden onset), hearing loss, stress management, divorce and employment-related issues, including career changes and job loss.

Do your relationships cause you to feel anxious or depressed? Do you want to quit or cut back your substance use but find it difficult? Is your anxiety getting in the way of your goals and living? I provide a warm, safe, trauma informed environment. Asking for help and starting the process of change and growth is hard, but you do not have to do it alone. It takes time, and we will go at your pace, making sure that your needs are being met. You are an expert in you!

*Winner-Best of Kirkwood, 4 consecutive years in Counseling & Mental Health, 2016-2019! Welcome. Life can be hard, but I am committed to identifying and resolving your painful problem, getting you the Results you want quickly. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Hypnotherapist, providing you a safe, comfortable and supportive environment in which to achieve your Success! My approach is holistic and integrative, which means I use a variety of techniques and interventions to target the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) and I tailor them to each client and their unique, individual needs.

Lately have you looked in the mirror and not recognized the person staring back? Perhaps, found yourself doing things that are out of character like yelling at your child(ren), significant other, or friends/other loved ones, or doing hurtful things to yourself or others and yet you don’t understand why. You tell yourself: (1) I am fine -after taking/responding to that 911/emergency call; (2) Yes, what I saw while deployed was horrible, but that is the nature of what we do and I am home now so everything is ok; or (3) Surely that loss or experience 10 years ago has no effect on me now, it’s in the past..... And yet here you are