Therapists in Maryland Heights, MO

Throughout my career, I've worked with many people in difficult or painful situations. Many clients have dealt with issues like grief, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, job problems, life decisions, suicidal thoughts, and recovering from trauma. I have experience with folks who are curious or working through their gender identity, sexual orientation, fetishes, kinks, swinging, alternative sexuality, polyamory, ethical non monogamy, and lifestyle situations. I've also helped clients with out of control sexual behavior issues. I have worked with individual clients, couples clients, and polycules.

Sex is cool but what if you were able to speak about it freely in an authentically genuine, identity affirming, non judgemental and empathetic space. Perhaps you're trying to combat your internalized shame and societal beliefs of what sex should look like. Maybe you're seeking more self-pleasure and awareness. Are you navigating a new relationship dynamic or trying to combat intrusive thoughts around past sexual truama? You just need a space that is all yours; where you can become empowered to enjoy your life in personal and relational ways.

I work with the healers and helpers who not only have seen the worst in their work, but also have a personal history of trauma. So many in the healing and helping professions have painful backgrounds that have fueled their fire to care for others. Healers experience some of the worst and most rampant burnout which can stem from a number of places including vicarious trauma and having past traumas triggered by clients, systems, and the overall work. Move from an inner place of fear, imposter syndrome and co-dependency to a place of inner security.

My goal as a counselor is for my clients to feel safe, seen, and heard during our time together. I have a passion for providing a space filled with acceptance and support as people process hardships and begin to heal.

*Accepting New Clients* Often life events and personal stress can lead us to a point of pain, feeling that we have no control over the course of our lives or meaningful ways to cope. I would love to assist you with identifying personal strengths that will increase your ability to negotiate difficult emotions, stressors and life events. I will encourage you to grow, develop resilience and explore new ways of experiencing the world with a curious, thoughtful mindset. This curiosity leads to an increasing awareness of yourself, your needs and solutions for challenging issues.

My ideal client is a young person navigating the complexities of adolescence and early adulthood, grappling with issues of identity, friendship, and the transition to maturity. Whether it's understanding their present circumstances, managing perceptions from family and society, or honing new life skills, I am here to offer guidance and support. I welcome those from marginalized backgrounds, helping them find affirmation and insight into how their race, gender, or sexual orientation intersects with their mental well-being.

As a mom you feel like you don’t know who you are anymore and you feel overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, and the constant to-do list. As a couple, you feel like nothing is working to get back to the connection you once had and you miss how it once was together. Either way, you may wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

Some of us have been taught to fear or push away certain emotions and parts of who we really are. We’ve been taught to disregard what our body and feelings are telling us in order to make others comfortable. While this might seem like the path to approval, it often leads to shame and disconnection. A way to combat these messages are to move towards authenticity and acceptance of all our parts. To learn to advocate for ourselves, heal from our wounds, and stand firm in who we are. I would be honored to work alongside you in the journey.

My goal as a therapist is to help my clients feel safe, validated, and supported as we work together to identify challenges and create personalized goals that will lead you to ultimately heal and feel whole again. I understand change can feel overwhelming and I will allow you to move at a pace you are comfortable with.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and seasoned yoga instructor with over 20 years experience. I take a body-centered approach and specialize in couples and individuals under stress. I am a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and also the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy. If you are tired of talking about your issues and getting nowhere, then I can help. I go beyond traditional talk therapy methods to get to the heart of the problem, so that you can mend that great divide of heart, body and mind and get the love you deserve.

Sexuality should be celebrated! Society often makes it difficult for people to express themselves in this way, and therefore I try to offer a space for clients to freely explore all aspects of their sexuality without judgement. In my practice, I work collaboratively with clients to develop sexual communication skills, process shame associated with sexuality, and learn how to practice safer (more pleasurable) sex. I have experience with many types of clients, including LGBTQ+ people, femme-people, sex workers, and people discovering themselves later in life.

NOTE: I do have a waitlist, currently, but I am Clinical Director/Supervisor of some amazing clinicians who adhere to the same models and philosophy as I. Utilizing systemic principles and effective methodology, I work with clients of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, and relationship dynamics. Clients come to me to work on sexual and/or sociosexual concerns, including low desire, infidelity, lack of partnership skills, poor impulsivity control, coming out, inner shame, exploring new dynamics and/or kinks, and also for vaginal pain and erectile dysfunction.

The therapeutic relationship is one of healing and hope. Facilitating that relationship is very important because I understand the value of working with someone not pushing their usually well-intentioned agenda onto your situation. Someone outside our problems who has no investment in how we handle those problems can offer limitless perspective and an abundance of compassion. In addition to being a listening ear, therapists have many resources and tools to help us navigate whatever challenges and changes life throws at us. This is the type of therapist I strive to be.

People seek therapy for variety of reasons, ranging from difficulties with a specific life event or a general pursuit for greater purpose and connectedness. Psychotherapy offers an arena for self exploration unlike any other and can prove to be a profoundly moving experience. I work with individuals affected by trauma, difficulties in relationships, depression/post-partum depression, infertility, adoption, parenting, struggles in cultural adaptation and immigration, identity, self-esteem, sexuality, etc. Often I find that the most meaningful change comes from those who are open and willing to engage in the journey. The change you seek comes from you and will be our guiding force.

Life is beautiful but often/sometimes challenging. Some days we feel confident and happy while other days we may feel alone or overwhelmed. The clients I work with are seeking new tools, skills, techniques and interventions to help them feel better, more in control and empowered on a daily basis. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults and elders experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, low self-esteem and more. Everyone deserves to have a safe space, with unconditional support that allows them to be authentically themselves, always.

Dear potential client, It is exhausting trying to find a therapist that fits, even for us professionals that work in the industry, so I will try and make this easy for you because I want to make this easy. The clients that I experience a mutual bond and ability to work with normally come with a boatload of family issues. These clients appear for couples therapy, parent coaching and individual therapy for a variety of reasons but the complicated family history is the thread that connects them all. Many have anxiety and live in a heightened state most of the time. They feel less than and are ready for a change of life experience.