Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

During my career, I have worked with both individual and group settings, including adults with people living with HIV, veterans, incarcerated people and transgender/gender variant individuals. These populations included people with depression, bi-polar disorder, personality disorders, anxiety, PTSD and depression. I co-facilitated a group for trans youth and co-coordinated it for 6 years. As a proud bisexual, trans man, I love to work with my LGBT communities. I celebrate kinky and poly people. I strive to be an imperfect ally to non-binary trans people and people of color. I take private pay/in person through findingnormalstl.com

Hellooo! Thanks for making time to be here today. If you're here, I'm wondering if you've asked yourself important questions such as: When was the last time you were asked what you needed? What does acceptance look like in your life? How can you live your most authentic self? What does it look like creating an environment for yourself to be successful? If you find yourself resonating with these questions, then you're more than likely seeking a provider who can help you achieve your goals, and maybe that's me! I encourage you to make an appointment today to find out.

I have a diverse background in the evidence-based treatment of persons with trauma, eating disorders, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ challenges and gender dysphoria. For clients with PTSD and other trauma, common goals include symptom reduction, coping, exploration and healing. With eating disorders, my practice is most appropriate for clients who have attended a higher level of care (e.g. Intensive Outpatient, Residential, PHP) and are looking to confront issues underlying the eating disorder. Clients seeking gender affirming care will find support with expression, transition, relationships and more.

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.

Growth and healing is fostered when we feel accepted and heard. I show up for my clients with an inclusive, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental approach to sessions. I meet you with a supportive and open attitude as you explore your authentic self and grow into your potential. We can get there by learning and then practicing new coping techniques that can improve your quality of life while working to understand the patterns that may have led you to seek support. Together, we can develop a new path with less suffering and a better understanding of yourself and your limits.

Many of the people who work with us are trying to find ways of controlling the emotions swirling around them, but it just feels like trying to grasp at sand in a sandstorm - the particles smacking them in the face, blurring their vision of the world, and causing them to flail about in futile attempts to stop the storm. Emotions similarly can cloud judgment and lead us to lash out in futile attempts to stop the pain. The more we try to control the whipping winds, the more energy we waste. We believe the key to surviving the storm is to accept its existence and skillfully cope with it.

I believe that everyone can benefit from having an empowering, nonjudgmental therapist in their life. You may feel like you’re functioning okay on the outside but have disruptive thoughts, challenging relationships, or past situations that interrupt your life. I can provide you or your child with a space where you can be your authentic self while working towards making changes, overcoming difficulties, and coping with life’s variety of challenges. I specialize in OCD, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, grief/loss, and emotional dysregulation.

I am excited to have you considering me as a therapist. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been in the field for 10 years in various settings. I have experience with grief work, anxiety, depression, parental struggles, sexual health and more. I enjoy helping adolescents and adults reach their fullest potential of peace and happiness or simply meet certain goals. I approach therapy holistically with my clients, we work as a team to meet whatever goals you have. I utilize various therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT , mindfulness, strength based and client centered approaches.

Throughout my life, I have dealt with my fair share of mental health struggles. Beginning in middle school and into my 20s, I was often depressed and anxious. Because of this, I sought therapy several times, sometimes with success and sometimes not. So, I know how incredibly hard it can be to start the process of seeking therapy. I am SO incredibly proud of you for beginning this journey! Due to my less-than-ideal experience in adolescence, after high school I pursued a degree in education and taught middle school for several years in hopes of making a difference in my students’ lives.

I am a nationally certified DBT therapist. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is my orientation and specialty. My orientation and personal experiences have inspired me to work toward the treatment of clients struggling with childhood trauma, PTSD, anxiousness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, relationship issues, LGBTQ concerns, NSSI(Self-Injury) and Borderline Personality Disorder.