Therapists in Dutchtown, Saint Louis, MO

Dr. Lukse is a licensed clinical psychologist who practices cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She specializes in working with individuals with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia, and binge eating disorder. She also works with individuals and caregivers adapting to living with chronic illness and/or disabilities. She offers telehealth services in Illinois, New York, Missouri, and Iowa.

Check out our website for more details! I became a therapist because of a void that has existed for decades. A void that allowed black and brown people to be left to find sometimes inadequate ways of dealing with real mental health issues. As you search you will find very few people that look like me that are in profession of mental health. This is unfortunate. Although my caseload is hugely diverse, what comforts my clients is I represent what in my field is lacking...a representative from a disenfranchised group of people helping to build up the individual, repairing relationships and making families whole.

It is never too late to begin deep and meaningful work reimagining how traumas or other experiences can become integrated, meaningful parts of our lives and ourselves, rather than barriers or obstacles. The key to this important work is the recognition that your story and has deep and significant meaning.  No detail is ultimately insignificant, if we can but muster the courage, patience, and presence required.  I will help you!  I am so eager to understand and explore with you, and help create a safe space that ultimately facilitates not just growth and transition, but true healing and transformation.

Emotions...UGH! What are they good for? Well...you might not want to hear this, but those emotions you are feeling do serve a purpose, but you might not understand how they are serving you....YET. That's where I come in. You may feel aimless in parenthood, career, or your relationships. You want to understand more about who you are and what makes you tick, and want a safe and warm space to explore those thoughts. You might be a member of the LGBTQIA+, poly, and/or open community and worried about judgement as you navigate the unique experiences of your life.

Have you ever wanted to begin counseling, but didn’t feel like your problems were big enough? Or, have you ever ghosted a therapist because you didn’t feel helped? Me too. So, we go it alone - doing everything to change ourselves and our relationships. We continuously find ourselves stuck between what we want to do and what we “should” do. This dilemma often shows up as anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. That’s why it’s my mission to provide approachable counseling that works.

I'm here to support you as you bravely heal and grow. It's an honor to walk this road with you. I work with women, families, and couples on a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, childhood trauma, spirituality, relationship stress, and marital crisis. I also focus on maternal mental health, including pre-pregnancy, infertility, birth trauma, and postpartum issues. Are you ready to dig deep and become the best version of yourself?

Thank you for your interest. My ideal client is motivated for change and open to exploring more about themselves. I use a more direct style of counseling that heavily incorporates aspects of choice theory, reality therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help my adult clients make real changes in their lives. For children, I utilize evidence-based directive and non-directive play therapy approaches, depending upon the child's unique psychosocial needs.

Elizabeth works with adults on issues related to identity, relationships, attachment, anxiety, ENM, and pre/post-abortion. She helps clients improve their relationships with themselves and others, become more comfortable in their own skin, and unlearn unhelpful patterns. Elizabeth is blunt, authentic, and kind. With extensive life experience and a knack for challenging clients constructively, she might be the right fit to support your growth and well-being.