Couples Therapists in West Plains, MO

I enjoy working with children and adults, meeting with individuals, couples and families. Prior to joining the team at Synergy Counseling Center, I worked for a Community Health Center and an Indian Health Services Center in Alaska working across the lifespan. I approach therapy from an attachment-focused lens and believe we find healing through an integrated, wholistic approach to therapy.

I am a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and a masters in marriage and family therapy. My education and practice have provided opportunities to gain extensive experience working with individuals, couples , and families. I have found success in emphasizing my client's experience and creating a strong therapist / client relationship. This approach comes natural to me and helps the counseling process feel less intimidating. I have particular interest in: ADHD, autism spectrum, depression, anxiety, relational problems, premarital counseling, oppositional children, addiction, self-esteem, grief and loss, and adjustment to change and difficulty.

Are you needing a change, but you are not quite sure what to do? Whether you are facing a relationship crisis, an interpersonal conflict or you need help untangling the thoughts in your mind; sometimes a new perspective is all that is necessary for a breakthrough!

If you are an adult or teenager struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma issues, self-esteem, and/or setting boundaries, I would love to help you. Couples with relational stress are welcome as I enjoy and have experience in marital/ couples therapy and helping relationships succeed. Currently, I lead the Healthy Relationships group at Synergy Counseling Center. I have recently been trained in EMDR to assist clients with reduction in trauma-related symptoms resulting in overall healing. DBT is one of my specialties and I have assisted clients with learning these skills individually or in a group setting.

I provide teletherapy services in both Missouri and Kansas. We all have encountered hurt or adversity at some point in our lives. It can leave us feeling overwhelmed or feeling like we lack the motivation to function day to day. I strive to focus on your strengths while working with you to resolve current issues that are interfering with personal relationships or goals. I am privileged to walk alongside your journey of hope and healing in therapeutic relationship. My background experience includes psychiatric facilities, university and student counseling, adults, adolescents, children, women's issues, and couples .

Touchstone was founded in 2005 by Dr. Cindy Baker. Her dream was to create a place that any member of the community could turn to without fear of stigma or ridicule by creating a safe setting and discreet healing environment. Telehealth permits our team to work with all Missouri residents with their counseling needs. We offer executive coaching, life coaching, community talks, workshops and seminars, anger management, court-ordered services, parenting education. Dr. Baker is offering a Mental Health Urgent Care model in her practice for extreme traumatic needs to reduce wait time for a session.

If hopelessness, loneliness, fear, anger, or despair are a part of your regular experience, there is help. Many people live their daily lives carrying these heavy burdens all alone. Sometimes marriage problems or recovery issues seem overwhelming, but you do NOT have to accept that as normal living. I am a specialist in life recovery and relational repair. I'm Gottman Level 1 trained in marital relationship therapy, hold certification in LIFE Languages™ & Couples Coaching™, and IBCC/AACC board certified. My greatest hope is that anyone reading this who feels overwhelmed, alone, and hopeless will be encouraged to reach out for help.

Whether its difficulty navigating a toxic work environment, dealing with a difficult boss, experiencing marriage or relationship problems, or feeling lost and alone you may need to evaluate what your needs or wants are. Your mind and body is telling you something if you are feeling stressed, feeling sad, have problems sleeping, feeling lonely even in a crowd, or getting angry over the littlest thing, its letting you know change needs to happen. We all struggle at times with trying to navigate life and I believe that we all could benefit from support. Reaching out for help is the key to working towards a healthier way of living.

There are several reasons why people feel stuck in their life story that prevent them from growing into the person they want to become... A past that continues to return to the present, patterns that are unbreakable alone, major life changes, uncontrollable circumstances, feelings of shame - the list goes on. I love working with clients looking to improve themselves, their relationships, and learn to face their struggles.

It is about relationships. Either with oneself, ones family member, or ones partner. My goal is to help you expand and strengthen your emotional world. To help you feel seen and heard in your relationships. I will help you to learn to manage the distressing emotions arising during conflicts with a loved one. With those seeking couples counseling we will work on avoiding defensiveness, criticism, contempt, and stonewalling. I will help you build an atmosphere of admiration and appreciation providing you with the tools to be able to reestablish the friendship and fondness that once drew you together.

Have you ever wished you had a relationship mentor? “Loving well is an art, Getting there is a science.” Backed by over 40 years of research is why I have been practicing Gottman Methods for 15 years thus far. My couples come to me because they are struggling with understanding each other, their struggles in how to communicate and resolve conflict has not only destroyed their friendship but has left them feeling alone and leading parallel lives. They desire that connection and miss the fondness and admiration, and intimacy they once had.

"Currently offering sessions via Telehealth/online as we navigate this new terrain together." Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and relationships like a constant struggle. We have a knowledge that it wasn’t meant to be this way and feel compelled to take the first steps toward wholeness but sometimes don’t know where to begin. Through compassion and empathy, I partner with clients to begin their healing journey. I seek first to understand their story, providing a safe and secure place to process the pain. It is my core belief that no problem is too messy and no challenging situation is without hope.

If you are experiencing the pain of divorce, struggling with co-parenting, anxiety, depression, are the survivor of narcissistic abuse, need help setting or reaching goals, are seeking anger management, or just dealing with life transitions, you can feel better. I offer individual counseling, couples counseling, and coaching as well as group classes to help you along the way. I also enjoy working with clients of the Christian faith, and bringing the teachings of Christ into the session with us. If you are interested in including faith as a part of your counseling, please mention this when you call.

Well done for reaching out for help...your first step towards healing! Depressed, anxious, suicidal? I support hurting individuals, couples and families to find new ways of communicating, and coping with the stressors of life. I specialize in couple counselling, divorce and blended families. If you are a couple in crisis as a result of infidelity or betrayal..we will navigate this together. Whatever the problem or the outcome.. there is hope, a new day and a new beginning....

As the Government is encouraging social distancing, I will continue to offer in-person as well as video conferencing.