Adults Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

*Working online only* A truth I have learned in my own life is that the human heart cannot heal on its own. Our hearts need the presence of another. Our emotions, spirit, and body are often speaking to us, which can be scary and confusing. Healing is a process that takes time, attunement, and courage. My desire is that my clients would feel emotionally safe and supported in therapy as they learn to heal themselves.

My work at Terrace House is focused on partnering with adolescents, adults , and families as they seek to create change in their lives. It’s difficult to find words to express the possibility and potential that can be found in therapy. So much is possible. It won’t always be easy, but it will be your unique journey. A journey towards a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships, and your world. Through the practice of vulnerability and authentic reflection, we’ll weave our way down the path of growth and transformation.

Confronting life’s problems is a painful process which most folks want to avoid. Unfortunately, avoiding the problems just results in more pain. I believe that learning to radically accept life as it happens helps us to manage and embrace the temporary distress that comes from life’s disappointments. When we learn to tolerate distress, we improve the quality of our lives. Improving our lives means that we exact peace and power during times of celebration and disappointment. It is my goal to validate my client's experiences while providing them the skills needed to fully embrace the peaks and tolerate the valleys of life.

At its best, counseling allows us to experience what it is like to walk through our lives with a guide and fellow sojourner, rather than an expert or advice-giver — one human trying to help another! That radically authentic orientation allows for the formation of mutual vulnerability and trust between us. Over time, we lay down our shields and receive the help we need. There is at least some necessary and inevitable discomfort, but we shoulder it together. In so doing, we somehow find comfort there too, and even strength. You can have the life you want, and I can’t wait to help you claim it!

At some point in our lives, we all face challenging circumstances, and experience emotional pain. My hope is that through our work together, you will not only learn more about the nature of your problems, but come to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you desire in life. Together we can seek to relieve your suffering, develop more meaningful relationships, build greater self-esteem, and cultivate a more enriching life.

Therapy should be a place where you feel safe to divulge your darkest secrets while knowing that the person that you confide in, will not only support your journey of self-improvement and healing but help guide you like a beacon in the sea or a flashlight when it’s dark. And because of this, we think that finding the RIGHT therapist is one of the most crucial parts of the therapeutic process... I work to help you solve a variety of issues and welcome and host safe spaces for active duty /retired veterans and their dependents, college students, LGBTQ+, POC, and older adults .

Therapy doesn’t have to be boring! We all can use a little laughter. Over the last 15 years, I’ve worked to help normalize the therapy process with a unique and individual approach. I use an eclectic array of modalities to meet client needs. I'm currently only meeting with clients virtually.

I work with children, adolescents, adults , couples and families from a relational, trauma informed, attachment informed, developmental perspective. Trained in child psychotherapy, couples therapy and family therapy, I work to understand clients within the context of their primary and family relationships. I especially enjoy working with couples and families. I work to identify the emotional and interpersonal obstacles to further growth, and build on the strength and resilience of the individual, couple and family. .I have experience working with children and adolescents experiencing the full range of emotional, social and developmental difficulties.

I am here for you as you are right now... I can imagine that right now things may not be the way you want them. Do you find yourself feeling unsettled? Feeling stuck and just can't seem to make important changes? Find that powerful emotions keep taking you off track from what you truly want? Have you had painful events occur and have noticed you're not quite the same anymore? ... For 10+ years I've been helping people build a life full of meaning. Which often means figuring out how to make important changes while also finding acceptance. This can mean resolving past painful events, boosting skills and/or resolving current problems.

Many of us have experienced pain and distress through relationship with ourselves and with others. I believe that relationships can serve as a catalyst for change, and counseling can offer a corrective relational experience to aid development and facilitate growth. It is a truly amazing experience to connect with another person in an authentic, non-judgmental way; to be fully seen. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be fully seen. I view counseling as a collaborative process in which we work together to set goals, explore, and gain deeper understanding into who we are and how we are in relationships.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and appreciate working with clients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, relationships, teen-parent conflicts, religious trauma/abuse and gender and sexual identity struggles. I have experience helping individuals, families, and couples work through life transitions and challenges including aging, relationships, financial hardships, social anxieties, spiritual identity, and divorce. We can't do it all on our own. I offer a safe space to help you manage and cope with your daily struggles.

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.

Dr. Kaufman is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and director of Gateway Neuropsychology, LLC. Dr. Kaufman provides evidence-based evaluation services for children, adolescents, and adults , including comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, ADHD testing, and forensic assessment. He also offers individual and family psychotherapy, specialized behavioral therapy for ADHD, and organization/executive skills training. Dr. Kaufman enjoys teaching and speaking engagements, and is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University, where he is active in teaching, clinical training, and research.

My approach balances genuine compassion and understanding with direct feedback that gets right to the heart of the matter. There is no judgement with me, and you can feel safe to talk about anything. I work with couples and individuals that are feeling "lost" or "stuck," clients pre/post-abortion, LGBTQIA+ identifying, and clients in non-traditional relationships. Whether you need to vent about your dissatisfying job, or help and guidance with your sexual liberation, there is space for you.

I value the counseling setting as a place to discuss all thoughts and feelings freely and without fear of judgment so that new associations can be made, and emotional isolation can be replaced with connection. When we understand and accept ourselves, growth and healing can occur! I create a safe space where individuals can first understand how their personal experiences have impacted their lives and then collaborate with clients in order to establish authentic insights that will shape their stories moving forward.

Sometimes life throws us a curveball or two. Some people have been dealt a difficult card from the start. I believe we all possess the tools needed to get through times of adversity, but at times, may need a little guidance. One of the many things I love about working as a social worker is the diversity and uniqueness of people I have met over the years, meeting them where they are in life and learning from their experiences. The majority of my career includes working with children, adolescents and adults in a school, hospital, and community mental health setting focusing on suicide prevention, depression, and anxiety.

**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.

Are you or your teen struggling with stress, anxiety or social connections? I have vast experience working with children, teens and young adults struggling with different issues like anxiety, mood disorders, suicidal ideation, non suicidal self injury, life transitions and more. I truly believe that you are the expert of your own life, whether you are 9 or 92, and I use that as a foundation to our collaborative therapeutic relationship. You bring your own life experiences to the session and I bring an empathetic presence and client-centered, strengths-based approach to help you through whatever is on your mind.

I am a Clinical Psychologist licensed to treat clients in Missouri and New York State. Therapy is a collaboration between therapist and client. My goal is to understand where you are at this moment in your life, help you to identify your goals and work with you, as a partner, to attain them. I use evidence-based approaches that assist you in changing unhelpful thinking and behaviors, improve awareness and control over emotions, increase tolerance of difficult emotions, and enhance your ability to live mindfully in the present moment. For more information please visit my website www.irlpsychology.com.