Therapists in Kansas City, MO

My approach is grounded in meeting folks where they are in the moment, and not asking them to feel, look, or act like someone they’re not. I believe that every person has worth and value because of their identity, and I love helping other people tap into their worth. I believe that all humans have the innate capacity to not only overcome difficult experiences, but to heal and thrive, and when we overcome difficult experiences or emotions, we are stronger and more resilient. Lasting change requires work, but when we put in that work we harness the power to define our experience rather than letting our experience define us.

My experiences working with individuals facing addiction, mental health, and crises have been eye-opening and transformative. I have witnessed firsthand the pain, despair, and feelings of hopelessness that individuals in crisis experience. However, I have also seen the incredible resilience and strength that individuals possess when provided with the right support and resources. It is this resilience that fuels my determination to make a difference and offer a helping hand to those in need. I am deeply committed to the principles of empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental support in my work.

Do you wish there was someone out there that understood you? Do you feel separate from others, different somehow and struggle to find someone to relate to? Possibly you feel inauthentic in your relationships with others or in the roles that you find yourself in. Human connection is something that we all need and strive for and yet is difficult to obtain at times especially with our fast-paced, individual-centric lives. The therapeutic relationship can provide a safe space to explore identities, challenge obstacles to connection and learn to overcome our difficulties in new and exciting ways.

Sometimes life is hard. We experience stress, difficult experiences, wounding in relationships, and trauma along with many other experiences. We carry these with us and they show up in our daily lives - in our thoughts, emotions, physical body, relationships with others, relationship with our self. Maybe you've noticed feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Weighed down. Maybe anxious. Maybe you've noticed patterns in your relationships. Maybe physical discomfort and pain. Tension in your body. Maybe you're curious about what you're noticing. Or maybe you’re curious about who YOU are – the authentic you.

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.

If you are interested in making a change in your life, but don’t know where to begin, I can help you. We can work together to understand what you need and how you can achieve your goals. My areas of expertise include human sexuality and I have helped others in regards to their own childhood sexual abuse, sexual dysfunction in intimate relationships and sexual addiction. I am very interested in working with parents about talking to their own children about healthy sexuality.

I enjoy working with individuals of all ages that are open to honesty, transparency and the process of change. It can be difficult to reach out to others for support. There are many facets of our lives that prompt the need to develop additional coping skills and boundaries to navigate through life. I am open to assist in that process.

Life can be hard sometimes and full of stress, but my goal is to help provide a sense of inner peace and increase in happiness. I am passionate about the body and mind connection and identifying ways to improve overall happiness to live your best life. Life is meant to be lived and to feel empowered. Finding your own inner strength through improvement in mood, cognitions, and overall well-being. Having a safe space to talk and improve self growth and awareness is critical to improvement in daily functioning. My favorite saying is happiness is good for the soul and finding out that you are capable of that is my motivation!

If you're reading this, I want you to know how courageous it is that you've already taken the first step: asking for help. It's something no one wants to do, but I've been there, and it can be the change you need to live the life you were meant to. Being vulnerable and brave enough to tell your story is tough. But getting you to the place where you can actually own your story, and maybe even write a new ending, is totally worth it.

Life can be full of joy, even with all the stress of the day to day. Working towards building skills to support a life worth living is the main goal I have for my clients. From those in their teens trying to manage adjusting to increased responsibility, to those in their twenties trying to determine what they want in life and love, to those dealing with the struggles of parenting and still having their own identity, to those in transition to retirement, I love to help clients find their path.

My name is Caleb Stephens, and I am an Intersectional Clinician. The reality of therapy is that it is inaccessible to most, and the majority of therapists gear their therapy around themselves, and not around the needs of the client, nor the layers of identity that exist. I am not a traditional therapist, as I am also an Activist, and the majority of the work that I do is Identity work. This is about meeting you where you're at, and I'm here for it.

Virtual Only: I specialize in providing clients with a unique approach to helping them reach specific life goals. I will help you recognize problems and take action to decrease or eliminate potential impacts to your emotional well-being. My customized approach, tailored to individual needs, allows me to help you create achievable goals that are based on your needs and lifestyle. I use state-of-the-art tools to identify your issues easily and effectively. I am committed to helping you make fluid movement in your life. I am licensed to provide services in 3 states:Texas, Missouri and Minnesota.

In a world full of judgment, we need someone we can be vulnerable with. We need someone we can talk to about the uncomfortable thoughts and emotions associated with fears and insecurities. We need someone we can bounce ideas off of to find perspective. In a world full of judgment, we need a nonjudgmental someone who can be kind, empathetic, and psychological educated to help us grow in self and life contentment. My 32 years of cosmetology and services industry work, along with my achievement of honors in both my BA and MA, has allowed me to build acceptance, wisdom, perspective, and awareness in my therapeutic approach.

We're all faced with challenges, big and small. Sometimes these grow to overpower and overwhelm us. The adults, children, and families I work with say that I help them feel heard, valued, comfortable, and that I provide a safe place to explore options and pick the right solutions.

Why, despite good intentions, do you repeat something that isn't good for you? How can you learn compassion for yourself and others - instead of judging or shaming? How can you think 'outside the box' and recognize your fear of risk? Psychotherapy provides a place to explore what needs to happen so you can feel mastery in life. I'll work with you to gain awareness and see alternatives.

Do you wonder, sometimes lying on the bed at the mid hour of night, that life could be different: maybe lighter, with a little bit more hope; and your pounding heart can slow down and feel some peace; when you look out, you can smile and sense trust? Is there part of you that want to embark on a journey of healing and growth, to build nourishing relationships with your own self, with others, and with the life at large, to lay the foundation for a life of meaning and joy?

Welcome! Thank you for having the courage to seek a therapist! I work with individuals who have experienced mild to severe levels of trauma with a single diagnosis to comorbid diagnoses, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder , Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar 1 Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Attention Hyperactive Deficit Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, etc. Their needs are to be listened to, validated, and understood. They want to feel genuinely accepted. They want to live life to the fullest. Their goals are to receive the care needed to assist with improving quality of life.

Do you or your child struggle with anxiety and lack a sense of self? Does this affect the ability to function or to connect with others? Do you feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the thought that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? Do you wonder if relationships with others could be better? Now more than ever, people are feeling uncertain about finding stability and safety in relationships with those they care about.

Seeking help from someone you have never met and discussing your most challenging life obstacles can be very uncomfortable and scary. However, at some point in our lives, searching for guidance and support outside of our friends and family may be needed in order to get you to your desired goal in life. Or maybe you are on the right path, but simply need validation and support. Whether your goals are decreasing anxiety, assisting with family conflict, or guidance with trauma, I can assist you with your desired outcome. I work with all ages from diverse backgrounds.