Couples Counseling Therapists in Sedalia, MO

If you are caught in a rut or unsure how to get through a crisis in your life, working with me can be a spur to your personal growth. If your relationships are not where you want them to be, I can help you and your partner create the connection, understanding, and respect you want. If you've tried unsuccessfully to change a behavior, I can make a difference as someone with experience treating addictions and other compulsive behaviors. As a counselor, I can help you see what's getting in your way and learn what you can do to make the changes you want.

Making the decision to seek help is the the first step towards living a healthier, happier life. The second step is finding the right therapist. I believe that success in therapy is dependent on the strength of the relationship between the counselor and client. I view myself as an advocate, a catalyst for change, and an objective sounding board, rather than an expert who can listen to your problems for an hour and then magically know how to run your life better than you do. You are the expert on you! My job is to help you learn how to help yourself.

Life is beautiful even through all its struggles and disappointments. I believe the connections we make with others give us purpose and drive to fulfill our dreams. Though sometimes our intentions do not manifest and we become stagnant and distressed. In my therapy I like to focus on what we can control...ourselves. To take a look inward and view our most delicate fears, insecurities, and desires can be a lot of hard work. I approach each client with this recognition and strive to make a true connection to help foster self-improvement and life satisfaction.

I am heartened by people's willingness to reach out and courageously rediscover hope. The journey of life can be challenging and overwhelming. There are times when we are left standing at crossroads feeling disconnected or unappreciated. You may be experiencing loneliness, shame or guilt. Or may have reached a point of sheer frustration. I walk along side my clients as they revitalize relationships, empower their authentic self, and realize inherent potential. I provide therapy for couples, families and individuals, and welcome those of any age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

I have a true passion for working with older adults and caregivers. I have worked with this population both in residential and community settings. I also have experience working in substance abuse and with individuals living with chronic illness. I enjoy not only individual work, but also working with couples and families to initiate and maintain change within the family system. Some issues I commonly work with include: depression, grief and loss, spirituality, life review, caregiver stress, interpersonal relationship problems, and anxiety.

I dedicate my time to finding ways to help individuals, couples, and families grow. Through my non-confrontational, straight-forward approach I seek to help you and your loved ones identify personal strengths, achieve goals, have improved relationships and effective communication patterns. With all clients I strive to help you have "ah-ha" moments of clarity while dealing with current feelings of frustration in life. Within couples and families I aim to help you understand each other's needs; emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It is my goal to work with you and your loved ones to find solutions that fit your needs.

My job is to help people optimize their mental health and relationships. I start with listening carefully to how my clients make sense of the world. Specifically, I will pay close attention how you identify problems, generate possible solutions, and implement choices. The past often influences how we see the present, so it might be important for us to analyze some historical context as well. However, we certainly will not dwell there. Most people want to be more rooted in the now, while also orienting themselves toward positive future aims. This is ultimately what our work will be about.

Connecting with your counselor can create a relationship that can benefit you for a lifetime. We see individual, couples, and families in areas of addiction, sex therapy, kink conscious, trauma, life transitions, anger management, relationship issues, monogamy & ethical non-monogamy, grief, work issues, sex positivity, mood changes, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+, identity base trauma, feeling stuck, negative habits, grief, and co-parenting.

There are many presenting issues that might bring you to counseling. Finding a therapist that you can connect with and build an alliance with is important to your success in therapy. I work very hard to create a relationship that will provide you the safety and warmth that you need to explore your experiences; I am very comfortable earning your trust. I use different treatment modalities, depending upon which is appropriate for you personally. Empathy is the primary tool used to give you the safety you need to explore your inner world while we begin to understand your experiences together.

Are you feeling gloomy, stuck or unmotivated? Do you find it difficult to shut your thoughts off at night because of scattered thoughts? Does the harmony in your love relationship need a reset? Is achieving work-life balance difficult? Are you transitioning out of a relationship and want support? Perhaps you are a survivor of narcissistic abuse by a partner, parent or employer? Whatever it is, your goal for happiness is important and it's OK to receive care on your journey.

I work with individuals and couples in a collaborative manner. I am very engaging during the sessions, and seek those who are genuinely interested in learning new ways to think and see the world.

Hello! I'm Vanessa, co-owner of Secure Counseling Clinics. I've lived in KC for 20 years with my husband, 4 children, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, and a flock of backyard chickens! I'm a Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in both MO and KS, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and KS board-approved clinical supervisor. My heart work is helping humans with complex trauma. Couples, as well as parents and their children, work with me to form secure attachments with each other. I help clients experiencing relationship difficulties and those who experience pain from circumstances or losses.

There are times when life throws experiences your way that require extra support and care. Let the counselors here at Hawthorne Counseling help you, your children or the whole family navigate these challenging times. Let us help breakdown roadblocks that are keeping you from having fulfilling and loving relationships. We work with people who experience anxiety, depression, behavior issues, trauma, grief & loss, divorce, abandonment, and attachment & adjustment challenges, and ADHD. Sometimes finances are a barrier to getting the support you need. Give us a call and we can discuss some options.

If you are a human person looking to improve and understand your experiences with living, I am here to help. Whether this is your first experience with counseling or you are well-seasoned in the ways of talk therapy, I'm glad you are exploring the idea. Counseling can and will help work through things like depression, anxiety, trauma, body image issues, relationship concerns, general dissatisfaction with life, and numerous other bumps in the road.

Wounds often shape our life's choices without our knowledge of their presence. Life is hard and these wounds can wear on us over time. Are you unsure if you're struggling with an addiction and you feel like your substance may be wreaking havoc on your life and your relationships? It takes courage to ask for help. I can meet you where you are and we can explore this together in an environment that is free of shame and judgement. Successful therapy involves a collaborative relationship where clients risk to uncover wounds and challenge unhelpful family structures.