Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Gladstone, MO

Diakonos is a private mental health counseling center in Independence, MO since 1981. We believe in a healthy approach to healing life's problems through integrating sound principles for the mind, body & spirit. We offer compassionate care for those struggling with painful emotions, distorted thinking, and troubling behavior, as well as those desiring personal growth and more satisfying relationships. We are comfortable and experienced at integrating clients' religious & spiritual beliefs with the therapy and healing process. Treatment is personalized to meet the individual needs of each participant. Therapists are available to lead conferences and speak on topics of interest to your church, business, or organization.

"I just want my child to be their normal self again". That is what I often hear at the beginning of therapy. It is very difficult to know how to handle changes like anger, acting out, sadness, or keeping to themselves. These problems affect the child and everyone else involved in their daily lives. I will tailor therapy to meet you and/or your child's specific needs, and work towards getting "back to normal" (or improving on what normal has been).

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach, i.e., interventions that have shown to be effective through scientific research. Through supportive, caring interpersonal communication and collaboration I aid patients to live a values-guided life. Having taught, trained, supervised, and provided CBT services for over 35 years, I have worked with individuals across the lifespan who faced challenges of anxiety, depression, pain, OCD, chronic pain, and neurological disorders. I have also received 40 hours of advanced training in OCD. My services include assessment of ADHD, personality, bipolar disorder.

Do you feel like you are drowning? Lost? Broken? Burning out? Or disconnected from yourself and others? You are not alone. There is hope. Whether you feel like life is spinning out of control, or that you are trapped and don’t know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel I am here to tell you that you don’t have to face anything alone. Together hope can be found and better days are closer than you think. In our work together you will find clarity, peace, and connection. My clients report feeling more empowered and excited about life as well as physically, emotionally, and mentally healthier.

Now Offering Lower Rates! Life is something we all struggle with. Sometimes it gets to be too much, and we find we can't do it on our own. You may feel like you’re the only one, but the truth is we all feel that way at times and sometimes we need extra help. Whenever life seems to get too tough, it's ok to ask for help. There is a possibility of hope and freedom. You don't have to continue struggling alone. If your ready to ask for help, I'm ready to listen.

If you struggle to connect with not only those around you but who you believe you are, this may be your place. Do you feel angry, tired, or unheard this may be the result of a lost sense of self. Finding a path back to who you believe you are is the first step to a healthier you. In the counseling environment, we are able to address the things that keep you feeling disconnected. I am here to help you find that gateway to your future.

As adults, we can carry many layers of stress. Stress that can take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing, creating tension in our personal and professional experiences, and negatively impacting our quality of life. Often, when we are in this place of limited resiliency, we can find that anxiety and/or depression can take advantage and settle in. Or we find that our relationships or parenting can seem more challenging, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or lost. If this is your experience, you're not alone. Together we can move through the stressors, build skills and resiliency; to find a path to peace and hope.

My goal in therapy is to assist you in finding the best version of yourself. For so many, our best qualities are stuck behind trauma, learned behaviors, and negative thinking. I am here to help you unpack the hurt you’ve been through and make sense of it. If you feel like you don't really know yourself or you're just kind of going through the motions - I want to help you find purpose within your day to day lives. Time is going to move no matter what. With a little help from some therapy, I hope that you'll start to feel more in control of your life and your time.

At different points in our lives we are more willing and able to make changes that can improve our life. Those changes can directly and indirectly have a positive impact on us and the lives of the people around us. I am here to discuss the changes you would like to make, to help you learn more about yourself, and your options. My clients bring to the counseling relationship a variety of concerns including all levels of trauma, brain injury and concussions, family dynamics, anxiety, and depression. I treat clients of all different ages and backgrounds.

Not accepting new individual therapy clients. I still do letters for gender affirming surgeries and have openings in my gender dysphoria groups. I strive to provide a compassionate, safe, caring, and nonjudgmental space where you can be yourself, express your emotions and thoughts, and feel heard. We live in uncertain, unpredictable times and the need for self-care and connection is greater than before. Know that whatever you are feeling is normal and you are not alone. Remember too that crises can also be opportunities for growth. I am here to help you navigate your life with compassion, healing, and understanding.

Connection with others who care is a central need for all human beings. This need is often most deeply felt during times of relational distress or personal struggle. My role as a therapist is to provide a safe place for you to feel cared for and understood when you need it most. Therapy provides a sacred space for healing and growth. It is within this space that I help clients process painful emotions and uncover patterns that keep them stuck in unhealthy relational dynamics. My passion is to help clients experience greater joy and fulfillment in their life and relationships.