Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I have 25 years of experience and specialized training in the field of trauma treatment and mental health. Areas of focus: depression, anxiety, panic, relationships, physical, emotional and sexual violence, child sexual abuse, post-traumatic and acute stress symptoms, dissociation, grief/loss, accident related trauma, direct or secondary traumatic experience, first responder and military incidents of stress. Clients that have experienced traumatic events often feel as if they are not themselves, may have intrusive thoughts, difficulty with focus, trust and may feel jumpy and/or numb. I would like to help you find your way through.

I work with those who struggle with trauma, relationship problems, and not taking care of oneself first. I have experience working with those who have sexual abuse or assault histories, trauma within problematic relationships, and compassion fatigue. Trauma comes in all sizes and from a variety of experiences, so do not discount what you have lived through. No matter the circumstances that bring you into therapy, we will spend time healing your wounds to help you grow into the person you wish to be, with a stronger sense of safety.

We all experience hardships in our personal lives, professional lives and relationships that can leave us feeling stressed, confused, isolated, anxious or depressed. Many people experience shame about seeing a therapist or feel they should handle emotional or mental issues on their own. I want to reassure you that we can all use a little help sometimes and we aren't meant to go through it alone. My goal in therapy is to create a safe space where my clients can work through the difficulties in life without judgment.

Therapy is the experience of reflecting on our stories, finding authorship in them, and making edits along the way. You deserve a space to feel heard and to share those stories without judgment, reclaim the power in those stories, and to allow yourself space to heal. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate, playful space for clients wanting to understand the impacts of their relationships, navigating stressors and life changes, and exploring trauma (including sexual abuse). My aim is to create a comfortable space where you can allow yourself to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself.

I am a certified EMDR therapist specialize in treating trauma and PTSD + c-PTSD for women and LGBTQ+ people, and neurodivergent folks. Utilizing ERP & I-CBT, I work with clients to get their life back from anxiety & OCD. I have been working directly with clients for over 14 years. In particular, I work with people who have experienced traumas that have historically not been seen, like ableism, oppression, attachment trauma, burnout, intergenerational trauma, sexual assault, religious trauma, emotional abuse, discrimination, and living in a colonized and capitalist society.

Waitlisting clients as of April 2023. - If you are like me, you have procrastinated this decision to seek counseling for some time, and you are steadily nearing desperation. Entering into therapy is difficult - it is important to find a therapist with whom you connect. I provide a free phone consultation and a half price first session, so we can decide if we are a good fit. I work best with clients who are motivated to begin the explorative process towards healing. I seek to honor the vulnerability required to make changes in one's life by listening without judgment and growing to understand the individual's experiences.

I work with people of diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and cultures. I would love to work with you, not only to help you resolve the situations which brought you to counseling, but also to help you grow more into who you actually are. I utilize EMDR and DBT to help both teens and adults with life transitions, identity issues, abuse recovery, sex addictions, and life skills. I bring a balance to my counseling sessions. Clients can expect me to be honest and forward focused, while creating a space that feels at ease and judgment free. Please call to see if my services might be a fit for your needs.

Using evidence-based techniques, I will help you look for patterns in your thinking or actions that may be causing problems, often rooted in trauma. I will help you establish healthier relationships, develop better coping skills, set boundaries and aid your ability to connect to your body & emotions while learning to regulate them effectively. Using a warm, genuine and goal-focused approach, you can be assured that whatever issue you have come to therapy to address, I will work to gently, but firmly encourage you to help resolve it. I emphasize praise and rewards for achievements, relying on your strengths as motivators for change.

Please email all inquiries! Are you looking for a more authentic, relational experience with a counselor? Looking to deep dive into your mental health? We are a group private practice striving to provide a genuine, open, and trusting experience with in-depth therapeutic work. We work closely with my clients to achieve their goals while also encouraging them to challenge themselves to grow. We believe that healing occurs with the right support and validation, genuine connection with others, and unconditional acceptance. It's important to bring ourselves as we are to therapy with our full range of emotions (anger, sadness, and humor!)

I am honored that my clients share their deepest secrets with me every day. I am grateful for the trust they place in me and I value their need for confidentiality. I make an effort to listen to my clients and hear what they say to learn what they need to grow. Every client is a person who is much greater than their problem behavior or diagnosis. While I have extensive training in treating trauma and sexual behavior problems, I also have experience and training in treating other mental health problems such as: Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, ADHD, and chemical as well as process addictions.

Specializing in stress and anxiety which may stem from childhood trauma, current situations, loss and grieving, as well as unidentified issues which may be problematic and dysfunctional.

Do you feel overwhelmed or disconnected? Have you experienced a life-altering event? One which you would need to work through? Are you encountering symptoms of sensitivity or isolation? Life can be difficult for a number of reasons. Traumatic incidents can cause a spectrum of symptoms which inhibit every day functions, and relationships. It can be difficult to reach out under these circumstance, but there is hope. Trauma-focused counseling can assist with the safety and freedom you are seeking.

You’ve been through things that haunt you and pull you back into your past. Perhaps you’re worried if you face them they will overwhelm you. This paralyzes you or creates anxiety. Or maybe you push down your feelings and try to live the life you want but keep ending up with people who hurt you. You want to break out of the cycle, but you’re not sure where to start. You need hope for recovery from shame and trauma. You need someone to help you to the next part of your story - a warm space to be yourself and not feel judged. A place to ask big questions, to grieve what’s been lost and to hope for what’s next.

You had a painful experience & your life changed in an instant. Who you were & how you saw the world - just aren’t the same anymore. You feel lost, angry, & afraid. Maybe you experienced a sexual trauma, got a scary medical diagnosis, or lost someone (or something) that you love. Maybe it happened suddenly without any warning or maybe the fact that you knew it was coming, made it feel even worse. You feel alone- not sure what to do with yourself. Your friends and family care, but they don’t know what to do either. You need someone who understands & can help you put the pieces of your life back together. You want to feel whole again.

Do you ever feel like your emotions and logic just don't line up together? Does it feel like you're stuck in a neverending cycle and the autopilot that once worked just isn't working anymore? Want to move forward in your life but feel like it’s a constant battle? I want to be there to help you through that struggle so that you can find the path leading to your goals while gaining a sense of self-awareness, fulfillment, and happiness that you deserve. I believe that people are their own personal experts in their lives, but sometimes we need help unlocking that expert due to times of becoming overwhelmed and shut down in the past.

Many of the people who work with us are trying to find ways of controlling the emotions swirling around them, but it just feels like trying to grasp at sand in a sandstorm - the particles smacking them in the face, blurring their vision of the world, and causing them to flail about in futile attempts to stop the storm. Emotions similarly can cloud judgment and lead us to lash out in futile attempts to stop the pain. The more we try to control the whipping winds, the more energy we waste. We believe the key to surviving the storm is to accept its existence and skillfully cope with it.

Sometimes, even when we know that something is wrong, we still need guidance in order to disentangle the problems that cause us suffering. Every problem has a solution and every difficult period can have a peaceful resolution. My therapeutic approach primarily stems from Family Systems Theory. I focus on emotional independence through individuation and help individuals, couples and families gain additional growth, strengths, and insights into their lives. I work on reducing negative communication patterns and installing love as an attachment bond.

Hey, there's hope! I'm here to hold hope with you, no matter how dark things feel right now. You are in the right place if you're exhausted trying to hold it all together. If your body's under constant stress, always on alert. If you avoid reminders of past trauma, or feel stuck in unproductive patterns. If your relationships are causing you distress, and if are struggling with chronic illness or pain, depression, anxiety or PTSD or other mental illnesses. Get in touch if you want to feel more like yourself and live more fully!

When life has its challenges there is hope. Finding the right therapist during these challenges is important. As your therapist, I will focus on improvement in your relationships, developing personal goals for growth, and finding your own voice.