Therapists in Ozark, MO

Sessions will involve working together to help gain insight into thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; and learn healthy coping skills. I believe in matching the pace of therapy to where the individual is and what changes they feel ready to conquer.

I believe in letting each client’s unique needs, desires, and strengths guide the therapeutic process. Therapy can be a safe place to work through life’s major losses, transitions, and other difficult issues you may be facing. Whether the concern is relationships, trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional challenges, I will help facilitate strategies/ insights that foster positive growth and change. In therapy sessions I work to create a supportive, caring, and non-judgmental environment in which you or your loved one are able to express and explore the presenting issues in comprehensive manner.

Touchstone was founded in 2005 by Dr. Cindy Baker. Her dream was to create a place that any member of the community could turn to without fear of stigma or ridicule by creating a safe setting and discreet healing environment. Telehealth permits our team to work with all Missouri residents with their counseling needs. We offer executive coaching, life coaching, community talks, workshops and seminars, anger management, court-ordered services, parenting education. Dr. Baker is offering a Mental Health Urgent Care model in her practice for extreme traumatic needs to reduce wait time for a session.

I love working with couples, teens, and adults. A majority of my practice consists of adults and teens who are suffering from depression, anxiety, or other life struggles. I also love working with couples who need to address: communication, healthy fighting skills, affair recovery, or grief due to the loss of a child or loved one.

As a therapist on staff at Synergy Executive, an RTC for men, I specialize in treating adults who are struggling with addiction. My therapeutic approach is rooted in respect for the individuality of each client and a true sense of empathy for the emotional pain that often underlies substance abuse. While fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, free of moral judgment, I attempt to meet my clients "where they're at" in terms of their degree of motivation for change. Despite the emotional and social chaos that often inhabits my clients' lives, I believe strongly in each individual's capacity for regaining stability and finding meaning.

Are you struggling with difficult life and mental health challenges which result in feeling alone and misunderstood? Before my own personal counseling journey, I felt this way, too. As a counselor, it’s my primary goal to walk along side my clients so each one will not feel alone or misunderstood. I commit to safely processing emotional pain with the ultimate goal of helping clients discover their own best resolutions. I always want to place myself within the unique world of each client to provide unconditional understanding and support. I welcome anyone who is ready to share and process in a safe and comfortable place.

I love that my profession allows me to connect with a wide array of people. I work with individuals ranging from late adolescence to late adulthood. I also provide family sessions for my clients, as needed. Hearing people's experiences throughout my time as a counselor has shown me how resilient people can be, and it's truly inspiring. I enjoy working with motivated clients who are ready and willing to make changes and break out of unhealthy patterns.

I was an adjunct professor at Drury University and Southwest Baptist University where I taught classes in Child Development Abnormal Psychology, Family Therapy, Theories of Guidance and Counseling, Psychology of Gender, Stress Management, Drugs and Awareness, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Guidance and Counseling, and Human Growth and Development. I am also an independent facilitator for 9 Essential Skills for the Love and Logic Classroom in addition to Parenting the Love and Logic Way.

My ideal client to work with is one who comes ready to look at the why behind the what, going deeper to understand the roots that cause one to act and think the way they do. The purpose and goal in being curious about the roots is to heal from the wounds and deep-rooted beliefs about ourselves and the world that we have picked up along our own journey in life. The benefit of this work is to live more freely in the Truth of who we were created to be, not allowing fear and past wounds to control one’s life. This growth can equip and lead to more safe, connected, and healthy relationships with ourselves and our loved ones.

As the Government is encouraging social distancing, I will continue to offer in-person as well as video conferencing.

I enjoy my role, as a counselor, in providing a safe and compassionate place for individuals to feel seen and heard. I enjoy working with individuals that are aware that they need to do something different but aren't sure what the next step is. This could be parents concerned about their child's behavior, needs at school, adolescents and adults going through life transitions, mental health concerns or just needing a safe space to talk and process life. I have experience working with children, adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health needs and also have over 10+ years of experience in the public education system.

Finding "Calm in Chaos" is an overarching theme in my counseling practice, my court appointed high conflict co-parenting sessions, expert witness testimony in family, civil, and federal court cases, as well as in my executive and life coaching practice. Conflict is prevalent today in our personal and professional lives. With so much uncertainty I found it imperative to develop a 'Mental Health Urgent Care' counseling model. In a quest to immediately address unexpected trauma, I offer sessions three days per week rooted in a medical triage model. This permits those with critical needs to not have to wait months for a session.

My ideal client is one who is aware that they need to do something different but aren't quite sure what the next step is. This could be a life transition from adolescence to adulthood, or a couple who struggles with communication. It could be more intense like a couple who is in the middle of despair or broken trust, or an individual or child who has experienced something traumatic that has changed their whole world. All these individuals are looking for ways to regain their life and become who they believe themselves to be.

Your heart is pounding. Thoughts are racing through your mind. You can't seem to catch your breath. "Am I having a heart attack?" "What's wrong with me?" "Should I call an ambulance?" If you've experienced these symptoms, you know how truly frightening they can be. Maybe you have ended up in the emergency room, just to be told that there is nothing physically wrong with you? Maybe you find yourself cancelling plans at the last minute. You're wanting to get out, have fun, and live your best life, but something keeps holding you back, telling you that it's not safe to do so. This is anxiety, taking hold and stifling you!

My passion is to help guide people through any situation or stage of life by creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. I value collaboration, empathy, and respect when working with others, and believe a strong therapeutic relationship is essential. I provide a person centered approach and incorporate various modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and DBT.

NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS – CHECK BACK PERIODICALLY Hoping to regain control of your life? Uncertain about what your future holds? Getting help from a trusted professional is an important first step! I would love to help if you are struggling with anxiety, fear, worry, panic, depression, intrusive thoughts, or the aftermath of trauma. I have experience treating a broad range of clinical problems and would love to help you get your life back! Many of my past and current clients are just going through a rough time and need additional support from someone outside their immediate circles. Others have a diagnosable disorder.

I'm committed to the restoration of families and our community. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors, Association of Missouri Mediators and the Professional Mediation Association. I counsel all populations from ages 3 to 81 and employ an integrated modality approach. My practice includes child therapy, couples & relationship counseling, family counseling and individual counseling. I am also certified in Prepare/Enrich, a marital and premarital counseling course.

I am a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and a masters in marriage and family therapy. My education and practice have provided opportunities to gain extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families. I have found success in emphasizing my client's experience and creating a strong therapist / client relationship. This approach comes natural to me and helps the counseling process feel less intimidating. I have particular interest in: ADHD, autism spectrum, depression, anxiety, relational problems, premarital counseling, oppositional children, addiction, self-esteem, grief and loss, and adjustment to change and difficulty.

Sometimes you need space that is only for you. Space for your feelings to be big, raw, and unedited while you sort through them without judgement from yourself or anyone else. Whether the issue is depression, anxiety, trauma, a life transition, relationship issues, parenting issues, sexuality/LGBTQ issues, religious abuse, or a need for personal growth, counseling can create a safe space to be authentically yourself as you sort things out.