In Person Therapists in Raytown, MO

Do you or your child struggle with anxiety and lack a sense of self? Does this affect the ability to function or to connect with others? Do you feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the thought that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? Do you wonder if relationships with others could be better? Now more than ever, people are feeling uncertain about finding stability and safety in relationships with those they care about.

My passion is helping people achieve healthy relationships that honor, strengthen, and validate the people in them. I enjoy helping young men and women to build significant and open relationships on their way through dating and engagement as well as working with them on tools to address the conflict in their marriage. Often times unchecked anxiety leads to depression and I have many effective tools for people who struggle in attending to their anxiety in an effective way. I work with addictions of all kinds in a non shaming, caring, effective, and healing way.

Life gets tough sometimes and everyone needs a little help. Sometimes that help comes from friends or family, but other times that help can come from a professional. Reaching out to a counselor is tough but frequently can be the first step towards improvement in life. It is important to find a counselor with whom you feel comfortable enough to do the tough work and talk about the hard issues. I enjoy learning whether that is from formal training and classwork or from the people I work with. I consider therapy a collaborative experience where we learn from each other.

I have 30 years of experience as a cognitive, behavioral and certified EMDR psychologist. I believe all of us want to live purposeful lives, but sometimes we need a little help getting through trying times. My ideal client wants to change an uncomfortable life situation. Trauma, loss, anxiety, depression and addiction can freeze us in our tracks, and we sometimes need direction to get moving again. I take an individualized case approach to help clients with whatever issue is challenging them at a particular time in their life. I work with individuals, couples, families and groups.

As we journey through life, we can experience challenges that stifle our personal growth or block our connection with others. Sometimes, we feel ill-equipped, disappointed, alone, hurt, or afraid. But there is hope-- hope for understanding, peace, empowerment, and joy. Whether you would like to broaden your understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, or deepen your connection with others, there is hope and there is help. Together we can enhance self-awareness and other-awareness. We can work to understand and strengthen your ability to manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We can develop healthy problem-solving and life skills.

Do your find yourself struggling with negative emotions such as worry, sadness, or irritability? Do you need help changing your current ways of coping with stress or challenges? Do you struggle with continual feelings of low self-esteem? My goal is to help you feel more centered, capable, and confident as you learn to cope with negative feelings and habits in a more self-supporting manner. I specialize in the areas of depression, anxiety and eating disorders. I also work with individuals who struggle with relationship issues.

Welcome! I am a dedicated therapist specializing in trauma therapy for teens and adults up to age 65. With a passion for guiding individuals through their healing journeys, I utilize an eclectic approach, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). My approach is direct and straightforward—I believe in addressing issues head-on rather than sugar-coating. I create a supportive environment where vulnerability and accountability are key components of the healing process.

I am Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) in the states of Kansas and Missouri. In addition to being in private practice, I teach a graduate course at the University of Kansas as well as provide guidance and therapy skills to graduate level students at Friends University. I specialize in couples therapy and maternal mental health. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which I use with my in my trauma work.

Relationships face so many challenges, but I'm here to help couples navigate these ups and downs. In our sessions, I aim to offer expertise while honoring your lived experience. I take a trauma informed and non-judgmental approach that blends compassion with humor to help you find the best path forward. Embracing diversity and supporting the LGBTQ+ community are integral parts of my practice, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Beyond my formal education, I'm a lifelong learner that is committed to providing the best care.

I work with people from all walks of life...different cultural identities, ages, backgrounds and things they want to talk about. Some clients aren't sure of what's wrong and just need to explore. That's great! Others know exactly what's wrong, but just aren't sure what to do about it. And some of us know what we need to do, we just need the help to take those steps. We all enter this process at different places. There's no wrong place to be.

Are you looking for support in navigating through the ups and downs of life? Are you searching for ways to better deal with anxiety and daily life stressors? Are you seeking to overcome depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, men's issues, family & relationship issues? Together, we can meet your needs and help you get where you want to be. As we journey together, my clinical desire is for you to feel heard, safe and understood. My Mission, is to equip you with unique skills to handle any situation you may face. I use an integrated approach of Solution Focused Brief Therapy & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.