Parenting Therapists in Kirkwood, MO

Do you long to have more connection and security in your relationships? Are you struggling to work through feelings of worthlessness or shame? Do you find yourself not enjoying parenting as much as you'd imagined? I believe we all need help navigating life and getting to the root of our suffering.

Are you going through a life transition? Are you worried about your stress levels, your health, your family, your relationships, or your parenting ? I have more than 30 years experience to expertly facilitate and support you to get you back on track as you navigate your life challenges. My approach is both supportive and directive. I teach the skills to understand and work with difficult emotions, thoughts and interactions. I empower all of my clients to develop healthier boundaries, to feel more secure in themselves and in their communication patterns, and to make the beneficial long term changes they desire.

I work with children and adolescents who have difficulties that have been resistant to change. Often these difficulties can be brain based as well as related to their experiences with others. I regularly work with adolescents who are struggling with the following: Inflexible-Explosive Behavior, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and those on the Autism Spectrum/Asperger's Syndrome. Most often I will work with parents who are frustrated due to the fact that 'normal' parenting skills do not seem to work with these issues. We look for, and work on, alternative strategies.

I work with adults and families who are challenged by symptoms of anxiety, depression, behavioral issues or other barriers to emotional well-being. My specialty is helping to gain an understanding of what has led to your current situation, and then moving toward solutions. I have a working understanding of family systems, attachment science, personality disorders and trauma-informed practices. I especially enjoy working with parents who are struggling with their children's behaviors or compliance, and I am also passionate about helping adult clients become "cycle breakers" and gain relief from generational dysfunction.

I work within the perinatal population; particularly with clients who wish to process becoming a parent , are struggling with infertility, are looking to adopt and/or have a baby through surrogate, have suffered perinatal loss and/or grief, want to work through a traumatic experience before giving birth (including previous traumatic births and sexual assault,) are struggling with postpartum depression and/or anxiety, who need guidance and support as they transition back to work after parental leave, and/or who have children under the age of 3 are are looking to process the struggles of parenting .

Now Enrolling for Middle School Girls Group & Spring Social Skills Groups 2023! The choice to seek counseling is the first step to a more fulfilling future for you and/or your child. I use a personalized, strength-based approach focusing on clients' positive virtues. I encourage the development of skills of each client to reach their full potential. I understand the importance of addressing the academic and social-emotional needs of adolescents and young adults in a safe environment. I assist clients in identifying potential roadblocks in daily function and happiness, including professional/ academic stress, anxiety, & depression.

Many women experience life changes, whether expected or unexpected, that result in feelings of restlessness, confusion and anxiety. Perhaps you feel stuck, consumed by negative thoughts or concerns, unable to complete goals and/or are looking for a change within yourself. Often we find ourselves at crossroads struggling for clarity or ways to find joy. Let me help you find a path of hope and confidence again.

With compassionate guidance, I believe in a therapeutic partnership with my clients to draw on your personal strengths, build new skills, increase awareness, and assist you in creating positive change. For more than 20 years I have worked with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. My focus includes relationship issues, pre-marital counseling, family stressors, trauma related experiences, anxiety, depression, self-injurious behaviors, parenting issues, & grief and loss. By starting where you are, I can help you identify your needs, and together we will begin the journey towards a deeper level of change and satisfaction.

My name is Deb Wren, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. Admitting that you are struggling may be one of the hardest things to do. There is so much stigma on mental health that individuals shy away from seeking help. Do not allow those thought processes to hinder you from getting the help that you need. I work with clients who suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship woes, parenting struggles, low self-esteem, and many other disorders. I am not here to provide advice but to help you to find solutions to your own issues so that you can live a fulfilling life. Your Mental Health is Priceless!

I often work with people to manage issues in their lives that have become difficult and distressing, such as separation/divorce, career/job changes, grief/loss, relocation, becoming a parent , and retirement. Some clients experience symptoms of anxiety or depression and we focus on realistic, practical strategies to reduce their intensity and impact. My approach involves closely assessing how these issues impact daily life, how relationships are affected, what support has or hasn't been available and then develop a plan for working toward changes and greater satisfaction in life.

Our lives can be filled with so many obstacles and challenges on a daily basis. Whether these challenges are personal, family, work or peers, we sometimes need to get additional perspectives and clarity on some of life's most pressing issues. I view therapy as a way for clients to seek personal growth and find helpful solutions moving forward. I use humor, compassion and unconditional support to help individuals, couples and families work through a variety of presenting issues. My goal is to help clients resolve the main problem in therapy and help them gain additional strengths and insights in their lives.

I have worked with many individuals, and couples over the past 34 years to help navigate the "ups and downs" of life and relationships. I work with couples who want to improve communication skills, conflict resolution, parenting , recovery from addiction or infidelity, and more. I work with individuals who want to improve self esteem, reduce negative self talk, improve work/career and love and life choices. I began my career in the substance abuse field. I find it an honor to journey with someone as they seek personal growth, healing in relationships and peace with their life choices.

Life is not always easy. Transitions, such as becoming a teen or adult, moving, getting married, becoming a parent , or changing careers can be welcome changes but can also be hard to get through. We also come across challenges in our day to day life that we may have a hard time coping with. Sometimes these things lead to issues like anxiety, depression, grief, questions about one's identity, or issues with school or work. My background in both Social Work and Child Development gives me a unique, holistic perspective that informs my practice with both children and adults as they move through the changes that come with their lives.

Working with new clients- Do you feel stuck? I help clients who struggle with people-pleasing, perfectionism, high-achievement and everyone who feels anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted and feel like they aren't measuring up. Do you engage in critical self-talk, compare and despair, impossible expectations? I teach clients strategies that positively impact relationships, mood, stress, work, parenting , lifestyle, etc. Thoughts play an important role in how we perceive ourselves, others, and our environment. I aim to identify negative, inaccurate, self-limiting thoughts and evolve them into limitless thinking patterns.

Compassion. Insight. Empowerment. I strive to make counseling an approachable experience through genuine support, compassionate guidance, warmth, and humor. I believe psychotherapy is a therapeutic partnership between client and therapist; that listening, understanding and respecting each patient's unique story is necessary for bringing about positive change. I have experience working with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. My goal is to help clients recognize and change counterproductive patterns in their lives and learn skills that can lead to a more fulfilling, peaceful, and rewarding life.