Photo of Miranda Mathis, LSCSW, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Miranda Mathis
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSCSW, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Liberty, MO 64068
Hi! My name is Miranda and I am a clinically licensed social worker (LSCSW/LCSW) in both Kansas and Missouri. I'm a trauma-focused therapist with multiple certifications, who is EMDR trained. I have experience working with differently-abled individuals, refugees & asylum-seekers, and people from all backgrounds living with various challenges. I am very passionate about working with clients who have experienced trauma, particularly helping professionals. I also love serving the perinatal population.
Hi! My name is Miranda and I am a clinically licensed social worker (LSCSW/LCSW) in both Kansas and Missouri. I'm a trauma-focused therapist with multiple certifications, who is EMDR trained. I have experience working with differently-abled individuals, refugees & asylum-seekers, and people from all backgrounds living with various challenges. I am very passionate about working with clients who have experienced trauma, particularly helping professionals. I also love serving the perinatal population.
(816) 239-3284 View (816) 239-3284
Larson Counseling Services, LLC
Psychologist, MEd, Psychol, LPC
Verified Verified
Liberty, MO 64068
Life can be challenging, especially in our fast-paced transient society. I work with adults, teens, and children of all ages. I specialize in Marriage Conflict and Parent-Child conflict with a large portion of my business devoted to adolescents. From Social Anxiety, to ADHD and chronic depression. I am trained in PLAY THERAPY, EMDR, Veteran's Deployment Psychology, CBT and much more. "Friendly, but professional," describes how most clients see me. I love what I do and look forward to working with you.
Life can be challenging, especially in our fast-paced transient society. I work with adults, teens, and children of all ages. I specialize in Marriage Conflict and Parent-Child conflict with a large portion of my business devoted to adolescents. From Social Anxiety, to ADHD and chronic depression. I am trained in PLAY THERAPY, EMDR, Veteran's Deployment Psychology, CBT and much more. "Friendly, but professional," describes how most clients see me. I love what I do and look forward to working with you.
(816) 656-2721 View (816) 656-2721
Photo of Vanessa Wray Knight, LCPC, NCC, CCMHC, Counselor
Vanessa Wray Knight
Counselor, LCPC, NCC, CCMHC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Gladstone, MO 64118
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, 3 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, National Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and 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/losses. Full bio on website!
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, 3 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, National Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and 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/losses. Full bio on website!
(816) 608-8444 View (816) 608-8444

Bipolar Disorder Therapists

What is the most successful approach to treating bipolar disorder?

Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and a number of therapies have been found effective in providing support to patients as they gain the skills to understand and manage the disorder. Family-focused therapy is often helpful for children and teens (the majority of cases develop before age 19); it aims to minimize mood cycling by improving family communication and reducing conflict. It also helps young people navigate the developmental challenges the disorder can create. Cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) and variants such as Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)help patients manage the thoughts and feelings that influence bipolar mood swings as well as develop specific behavioral strategies to counteract them.

What happens in therapy for bipolar disorder?

Because the patterns of mood switching and its triggers differ for each person and can change over time, mood tracking or monitoring becomes a basic way patients learn about the nature of their condition. One of the most common features of therapy is finding a workable method of mood monitoring, in which patients track their daily activities and rate their moods, then use the findings to adjust routines accordingly. Patients learn ways of handling the many stresses that arise in life so that they do not trigger mood swings.

What kinds of problems does therapy help with?

Like many other mental health disorders, BPD is heavily influenced by stress; therapy provides skills for coping with stressors of all kinds. Therapy is extremely important for helping individuals identify the situations that may trigger mood switching, so that mood swings can be prevented. Therapy may especially target recognition of the early stages of mood change so that they can be managed. In addition, therapy helps patients deal with the significant amount of turbulence the disorder can create in relationships and in work life.

What is the goal of therapy for bipolar disorder?

Therapy helps patients set up their lives to maintain stability so that their mood isn’t constantly threatened by daily events. Perhaps the first task of therapy is to educate people about the nature of the disorder. At the same time, a primary goal of therapy is to enhance adherence to drug treatment. Extended periods of mood stability can prompt patients to discontinue medication, triggering relapse, while the early phases of manic episodes can feel so energizing that patients stop medication, ushering in full-blown mania and the altered self-perception that can lead to destructive behaviors. Another major goal of therapy is to understand one’s mood patterns so as to minimize both the frequency and intensity of mood cycling.