Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I provide individual, couple, and family therapy for a variety of clinical issues from psychodynamic and family systems perspectives. I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, abuse recovery (sexual, physical and emotional), relationship problems, adults and adolescents. I have a passion to work with hurting people and find it an honor to be part of the healing process that can occur through psychotherapy. I value and prioritize developing a strong and authentic relationship with my clients.

Many people experience injuries in life that do not subside with the passage of time. The residue of these injuries can result in depression, intrusive thoughts and desperate ways of coping. We can fall into patterns of being that feel too hard to change. All of this then interferes with connection to others and intimacy. One does not have to live this way. It can be different.

What do you notice happening when life's demands feel too much? Do you begin to feel consumed by a critical voice? Perhaps hopelessness or shame takeover, and you aren't able to focus on what you need. You keep returning to coping strategies that aren't working, and life leaves you exhausted. You know that you are ready for something different. I am here to listen and help you understand the "why" within your struggles. Our work will focus on allowing for all sides of you to have a voice, to be understood, and to have the space to grow.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered / Board Certified Art Therapist working with adults, adolescents, and children. My approach to therapy begins with forming a safe, therapeutic relationship that allows you to explore life transitions, emotional pain, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or eating disorders. We will move beyond symptom management and help you to identify and develop understanding of the deeper meaning of the presenting symptoms. Often, the symptoms are external manifestations of conflicts and core beliefs rooted in the inner world or attempts to avoid the pain of past and current life experiences.

My approach is to help my patients both resolve the issues they bring to my office and help them become more able to prevent or minimize the recurrence of these issues. And, often what people can not see in themselves defeats their genuine attempts to change their lives. My strengths are helping people both see and deal with what really gets in the way of their achieving substantial change. The mind/emotions are often like icebergs- only a small amount is above water to be seen-yet much is unseen and can lead to great damage( a failure to change).

When working with individuals, I aim to help them through a collaborative process to understand the underlying issues that are causing them to not live up to their potential. The model which I employ assumes that many of our struggles are connected to conflicts within us of which we are not completely aware. I feel that therapy is most effective when the entire person's personality and history are considered instead of just focusing on current problematic behaviors. My work focuses on recognizing long standing relationship patterns that are troublesome as well as developing a more emotionally stable and adaptive personality.

I have over thirty-five years of experience treating individuals, couples, and families dealing with depression, anxiety disorders, marital discord, and family dysfunction. Changing oneself, therefore changing others around you, can lead to happier relationships. Understanding and insight can raise self-esteem. I provide a safe, confidential, and trusting environment to explore one's feelings and consider options to produce different and improved results. Video and telehealth sessions have been added to accommodate the COVID-19 safety protocols.

**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.

I work with clients who are struggling to cope with issues related to life transitions, addictions, eating disorders, body image, trauma, caregiving and other life demands. Psychotherapy is a deeply personal experience that can be alternately challenging, rewarding and hopeful. As a therapist, my goal is to provide a nonjudgmental atmosphere for those who wish to find balance in their lives through and beyond times of crisis or transition.

I am a licensed psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience working with adolescents and adults. While I see a diverse group of clients, I do work with many members of St. Louis' academic community, including professors, graduate students, administrators, and physicians. I also see undergraduates and older high school students. A second area of my focus is our city's creative community; I work with many musicians, artists, performers and writers. My treatment style is warm, thoughtful and natural, and I draw from many different treatment approaches to provide the best possible care. I look forward to hearing from you.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adolescents, adults and couples. I approach psychotherapy as an opportunity to address unresolved issues and conflicts as they arise in life through the therapeutic relationship. I believe it is important to examine the various ways and places in one's life that symptoms present, and to work to understand the function and underlying meanings of the symptoms.

Are you tired of having the same arguments with your significant other? Do you want to figure out what is preventing you from creating the kind of life you desire? Is anxiety, depression, self doubt or addiction keeping you "stuck"? I will provide the tools you can use to improve the quality of your life and relationships. Together, we will deal with the issues that are negatively impacting your life and identify solutions to create real change, now.

Making the decision to seek therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Getting help during a difficult time can ease the burdens one carries during times of high stress and transition. Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Eating Disorders, Addiction and Self-Destructive Behaviors are real problems, yet with the right treatment you can expect to experience meaningful recovery and growth. In therapy, we work collaboratively to reduce the impact the symptoms or behaviors have on your life and build coping strategies and resiliency.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already struggling and in need of support. I believe that feeling seen and heard can serve as a powerfully reparative experience, especially in a space of non-judgment and acceptance. I am honored and committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment to help clients connect with themselves in an authentic, safe, and self-compassionate way. I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, utilizing a neuro-biologically focused approach that assists restoration of the authentic self with self-regulation, wholeness, and a sense of aliveness.

I know that finding the right therapist can feel like an overwhelming process. That is where I come in. My goal is to provide you with a safe place to feel seen and heard. A place to thrive not just survive. I believe that therapy is designed to reflect a sense of honor and respect for someone’s story to achieve not only symptom remission but also a deeper, long-lasting sense of healing. I am passionate about working with individuals to improve their quality of life, increase internal connection, implement adaptive skills, and better their relationships with others, food, body, and movement.

Karen utilizes non-judgmental and empowering approaches that focus on helping individuals access internal strengths to cope with life's difficulties. She offers unconditional support for improved wellbeing while actively challenging behaviors that may hinder progress. Interventions specific to clients' needs are regularly reviewed in order to provide tools to be used between therapy sessions.

Life often presents us with challenges that can easily become overwhelming or even daunting. In a world filled with relentless to-do lists and constant demands, finding time for ourselves often takes a back seat. Our society doesn’t always encourage the practice of self-care, leaving many of us feeling stretched thin. Investing time and energy in yourself is a powerful choice you can make to begin shifting this dynamic. You deserve the life you want and have the power to make meaningful changes toward that life.

Hey there- I'm curious to see if you've ever thought the following questions: "What am I doing wrong; am I alone because of me; or why do I keep doing this?" Well, you're not the only one. Asking yourself these important questions may lead to ideas of distasteful implications and conclusions that you might be afraid to confront, hoping that they aren't true. Unfortunately, that process is difficult because we're biased. I invite you to reach out if you would like an objective perspective to combat your biases and help you develop a genuine, authentic relationship with yourself and others.

Making a decision to enter therapy is often a step taken after much thought and consideration. Evelyn's professional experience is framed by a philosophy of trust and respect in the collaborative relationship. Clients may enter treatment at a period of life that is marked by stress, strain and pain. While this may be the presenting problem, the journey of therapy allows one to develop an understanding of the strengths as well as limitations that help or hinder life at different stages. Evelyn helps clients recognize patterns of interaction in the present that may shed insight on difficult recurring issues.