Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I am an intuitive therapist who holds safe space for individuals to gain insight and healing into themselves and their life experiences. I invest into helping you live a more genuine, loving, and fulfilling life. Being seen, understood and accepted as we actually are in this moment is vital to positive change. I am committed to being a witness and mirror in your transformative journey of healing and (re)discovery.

I have been a practicing Clinical Psychologist in the St. Louis area for over 20 years. I treat kids, teenagers, couples, and adults with various mental health issues. I have written a nationally published self-growth book and I have taught graduate psychology courses.

I believe we are all worthy of living meaningful and fulfilling lives. I enjoy working with individuals and couples, adults and adolescents in exploring and writing their next life chapter. You may be seeking counseling because you are aware there is something standing in your way, we could call this “the problem.”

**CURRENTLY HAVE WAITLIST FOR NEW CLIENTS** Melissa has been practicing clinical social work/psychotherapy with adolescents and adults for over 15 years, specializing in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-injury and grief/loss. She has an eclectic approach, drawing from psychodynamic, interpersonal and skills-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, collaborative and integrative. She has a profound respect for the complexity of people's lives and experiences.

(Not accepting new clients until July 2022). If you are like me, you have procrastinated this decision to seek counseling for some time, and you are steadily nearing desperation. Entering into therapy is difficult - it is important to find a therapist with whom you connect. I provide a free phone consultation and a half price first session, so we can decide if we are a good fit. I work best with clients who are motivated to begin the explorative process towards healing. I seek to honor the vulnerability required to make changes in one's life by listening without judgment and growing to understand the individual's experiences.

Therapy is a partnership between the client and the therapist, and I feel honored when I am allowed to walk the path towards hope, empowerment and healing with another individual. You deserve someone who sees you, and will listen with an empathetic and non-judgmental ear. Life itself can be a struggle at times, and part of my role is to help you to recognize your strengths and assist you with concrete tools. For Black and Brown folks, as well as the LGBTQIA community, the stress can be overwhelming. It is ok, and at times necessary, to have that safe place, and safe person to hear you out. You are worth it!

Are you or someone that you care about overwhelmed across personal, social, or professional aspects of your life and lack the positive coping skills to mitigate these stressors? Do you sometimes feel as if you need an outlet for support? Are you looking to improve your self-esteem and live more confidently? If so, the professionals at Humble Monarch Therapy are here to empower your ability to navigate and cope with life’s obstacles through prioritized self-care and enhanced self-advocacy. Key populations that might find our services useful include youth and adolescents, men, and couples.

I take great pride and honor in assisting my clients improve their life experience. Sometimes that looks like creating detailed plans to achieve goals. Sometimes it means sitting with the experiences that shaped us, pleasant or otherwise, to build a bridge of compassion to ourselves when we need it. Other times it can be laughing together at the ridiculous and miraculous mysteries of life! My greatest hope as a counselor is that my clients pursue a relationship with themselves that can weather the human experience. My role is to be the advocate, resource, supporter, and presence that my client may need on that journey!

Therapy is a self-empowering process that guides you towards discovering and feeling like the truest version of yourself. With so many different therapeutic methods available, I try to combine the best techniques from various therapies and incorporate them in the most beneficial way for each individual. I make sure that my sessions provide a safe place to talk about any sort of sensitive information in a non-judgmental space. By working together in a therapeutic relationship we will be able to start the healing process towards a more healthy and grounded mindset.

Imagine a space where the world slows down just a little for you. Enough for you to connect to thoughts, sensations, and feelings that got lost along the way in your busy schedule. In this space you feel open to yourself in a way that you haven’t been before, curiosity becomes your greatest asset. Maybe you sought out therapy because things became too much or things felt unfulfilling, either way you knew you needed something to shift. My ideal client is someone who is collaborative, open to taking in different perspectives and holds goals around improving both the relationship with themselves and others.

Struggling with stress, sadness or hopelessness even grief? Feeling like your best isn't good enough, tired and beat down? You are not alone, I am here to help. As a therapist, you'll find I'm empathetic, non-judgmental and provide a safe place where adults can lay their heart and soul. As a client you will experience the butterfly effect. Which involves you acknowledging what needs to change, accepting you're a part of the change and taking ownership of your power to change. Together we will navigate through the difficult times creating balance and defining your purpose.

My ideal clients include college students, adults, families and couples. Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy I help clients recognize and acknowledge their inner thoughts and troubles. My clients typically face the following issues: infidelity, coping skills, divorce, depression, career counseling, martial and premarital, peer relationships, relationship issues, spirituality, sports performance, stress, women’s issues, weight loss, mental health and sexuality.

Anxiety and past trauma have kept you playing small, but in your heart you know that life can be so much bigger! You’re ready to wrestle with anxiety, shine a light on hurts and hardships of the past, and begin living life on your own terms. It feels like you’ve been waiting forever, unsure if the timing is right, but now you realize that “ready” might never happen, and you’re willing to try anyway. You're dreaming of a life where you stop second guessing yourself, where you feel connected and have a deep sense of belonging, and where you're no longer paralyzed by worries. You're ready to get back in the driver's seat of life!

I imagine you are searching for help or answers to some pretty serious questions about yourself, your relationship(s), and/or your symptoms. As a therapist I work to help people, not only with their symptoms, but with seeking to better understand themselves, their relationships, and how they came to be who they are and who they hope to become.

We live in a culture that sometimes stigmatizes our decisions to seek counseling — it’s as if our drive to reduce our suffering is, somehow, a sign of weakness. May I suggest that the exact opposite is true? Not only is it heroic to stop distracting and running away from ourselves, but a genuine act of love and self-respect. May our work together be a framework from which all concerned, myself included, emerge as kinder and more authentic sentient beings.

People have experiences, beliefs, and relationships that profoundly impact their worlds. In light of that reality, I work collaboratively with clients to form trusting and judgement-free relationships that enable them to explore the way these things have shaped their lives, and ultimately, to empower healthy changes toward healing and wholeness.

Therapy is a safe space where people can share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and feel listened to, validated, and heard. I chose to become a therapist out of the desire to help people who are healing from difficult experiences in which have shaped their lives. As a part of my job I am able to help people recognize their own strengths and resiliency and assist them in reshaping their negative cognitions. I also get to teach others how to build trust through healthy relationships and healthy communication. I love being able to connect with others and help them feel heard, validated, important, and empowered.

I know reaching out for help can be daunting and overwhelming. I am here to make this process easier for you. I have worked with individuals and families from differing backgrounds, experiences, and concerns. My counseling style is strength-based, meaning I like to focus on the many positive traits you already possess and work collaboratively to reach the goals you would like to achieve. We are all searching for acceptance and understanding. I am here to help. I have extensive experience working with individuals that have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, phobias, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, and non-monogamous relationships.

***NOTE: I am currently not accepting new clients. If you'd like to be put on a wait list or receive a referral, please feel free to email me!*** I am passionate about coming alongside clients as they seek to find comfort, peace, and healing in the midst of the many difficulties that life can bring. From the moment you walk in my office, my goal is to provide you with a place where you feel safe to work through issues at your own pace, while experiencing both comfort and understanding. I strive to create an environment where clients can feel seen and heard without experiencing shame. I also offer clinical supervision.

Are you or your child looking for a safe space to be heard/listened to? I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience ready to offer empathy and new coping strategies to get you (or your child) feeling more like yourself! I can help clients who struggle with ADHD, Autism, Depression, Behavioral Concerns, Anxiety, Trauma or Grief/Loss. I utilize techniques from CBT to help clients gain self-awareness, self-acceptance and develop coping skills. I have specific training in Behavioral Modification/Parent Coaching and also Women's Perinatal Issues.