Preteen Therapists in Tupelo, MS

LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS. FEELINGS OF ANGER, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY ARE NORMAL FEELINGS FOR ALL OF US. HOWEVER, IF THEY GET OUT OF CONTROL OR INTERFERE WITH OUR DAILY FUNCTIONING...THAT IS A RED FLAG THAT A PERSON NEEDS HELP. COUNSELING OFFERS COPING STRATEGIES TO HELP A PERSON GET THEIR LIFE BACK ON TRACK. I SPECIALIZE IN RATIONALE EMOTIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (REBT) AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND CAN OFFER YOU THE TOOLS TO START LIVING INSTEAD OF JUST EXISTING.

If you find yourself here, I encourage you to reach out to me (email/text). You may be surprised to find that even if you’re not experiencing a “crisis” or a difficult time in life, therapy is a great way to learn more about yourself, improve your outlook, strengthen relationships, or gain career guidance. Everyone benefits from therapy. Having the pleasure of working in this field for over 15 years, I pride myself on taking an experiential approach to therapy, as each person is unique in his or her own way. Taking a “one size fits all” approach is not effective. I look forward to helping you on an effective therapeutic journey.

I enjoy helping others who live with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, anger, challenging relationships, and have experienced trauma find practical strategies to enhance their lives. I also enjoy helping people process life events and changes. I am passionate about encouraging others as they break through challenges in their lives while spotlighting hope along the way.  One of my greatest joys as a counselor is watching someone recognize hope and realize their own progress.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist in Mississippi since 1999. I hold a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education and a PhD in Educational Leadership. My experience in the field of mental healthcare spans over 30 years. I was a school administrator for six years and a former law enforcement officer for 10 years. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including but not limited to depression, anxiety, relationship issues, couples, parenting problems, career challenges, PTSD and ADHD. I am a compassionate counselor, but I believe in individual accountability.

I have worked with children and families for over 40 years. My goal in life has been to make a difference in the life of a child, helping them to feel good about themselves and teaching them skills to cope with whatever circumstances have led to their emotional or behavioral problems. I also strongly believe in working closely with the parents of the children I work with, helping them to understand and accept what is happening with their child and providing them with support and skills to interact with their child in positive and productive ways. Making a commitment to therapy can result in children that are happy and successful.

In my 10 years of practice as a counselor, I have had the great honor to walk alongside people from all walks of life as they find healing and improve their relationship with themselves and those that they love. I practice from a person-centered approach and believe that my clients are the experts of their own lives and experiences.

Life is incredible, but it is not without challenges. I help distant couples, frustrated kids and parents, and families dealing with life's challenges.

I am dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for children and adolescents. I strive to incorporate innovative and engaging techniques from various age-appropriate theories and frameworks, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Aut-Play, Sand Tray, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. My goal is to help clients achieve their therapy goals.

Interactive Therapies began in order to serve the needs of children and families' behavioral, emotional, and other psychological challenges. I offer interactive, creative, and innovative approaches to many of the challenging issues facing families and their children here in North Mississippi. I am passionate about involving caregivers in the therapeutic process and facilitating change by helping all participates feel validated and understood.

Have you found yourself dealing with experiences, thoughts, or emotions that feel out of control or overwhelming? Life is messy on this side of Heaven and you do not have to go through it alone. I believe we were created to be in connection with other people but often our experiences and unhealthy relationships have made that difficult. The support and connection from a skilled therapist can be invaluable when you find yourself in those broken moments. It is my hope that for at least one hour each week, you can come, sip on some coffee or tea and not feel like you have to fix everything on your own.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in helping those who struggle with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and trauma. I have a Master's Degree from The University of Mississippi in Counselor Education with a focus on Community Mental Health Counseling, and received my Bachelor's Degree in History from Mississippi State University. Outside of the counseling setting I enjoy exercising, baking, and spending time with my family as well as my dogs.

I provide counseling for individuals, couples, and families. My practice offers a safe, supportive and confidential environment where you can address the issues affecting your life. I can help facilitate change and healing in common issues including anxiety, depression, marital conflict, divorce, grief, eating disorders, and trauma. I value the unique needs of each individual, couple, and family. I use a variety of evidence-based approaches to help accomplish your goals. I strive to be a supportive resource through the unique challenges in your life.

I am dedicated to assisting clients reach their individual goals, work through life transitions, and address the difficult challenges that often happen in our lives. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist, I work with children aged 3 – 12, adolescents and adults. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and have training in Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR). My past work experience has focused on the issues of grief, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, and behavioral issues.

Counseling is about establishing a safe and trusting relationship wherein the client feels comfortable speaking about and exploring the unknown or the scary, practicing communication skills, and realizing their own strengths and potential - assets which they can then utilize to overcome any of life’s challenges and stressors. Over the last few years, I’ve worked with individuals of all ages and families with vastly different backgrounds, needs, strengths, diagnoses, and goals to become their best selves. I believe anyone and everyone is capable of enhancing their wellness and living a life they find enjoyable and full of meaning.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1996, Kris began his career working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He earned his Masters Degree in Counselor Education in 2001, and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2008. Since then Kris has worked in Inpatient Psychiatric and Outpatient Settings. He has received training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TFCBT) for children, the Gottman Method Level 2 for Couples Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

You may find yourself reading this for a number of reasons and this could be the first step towards creating the change you're desiring. I believe that progress equals happiness and in the power of the human spirit. Together we will create a counseling relationship centered on acceptance, commitment, & compassion in the pursuit of growth.

Life is full of challenges, hardships, changes and surprises. My goal as a therapist is to walk alongside my clients as they go through life and help promote change and growth with them. I believe therapy is a joint endeavor to bring healing, change and growth. My passion is to provide a safe place of exploration for my clients where they feel they are heard and understood. If you are nervous about starting counseling, that's okay! Change can be uncomfortable but is often necessary for growth. I'd be honored to work with you and hear your story.

I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of practice settings over the past 20 years. My primary area of interest and training is working with children under the age of 10 dealing with issues of anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, autism, developmental delay, divorce, grief, medical issues, behavioral problems, and more. I believe children have limitless potential for growth and they have an innate capacity for resiliency. I also believe that parents and primary caregivers play a critical role in a child's recovery and a joint approach to working with children is essential to healing.

Are you facing challenges in your life and want to make a change? You can do it. As long as there is breathe; there is Hope. It would be my pleasure to support you in reaching the goals that you want to obtain so that, you can live life to the fullest. I have a flexible schedule and will work to accommodate what works best for you. I look forward to meeting with you soon.