Chronic Illness Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

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.

Sometimes, even when we know that something is wrong, we still need guidance in order to disentangle the problems that cause us suffering. Every problem has a solution and every difficult period can have a peaceful resolution. My therapeutic approach primarily stems from Family Systems Theory. I focus on emotional independence through individuation and help individuals, couples and families gain additional growth, strengths, and insights into their lives. I work on reducing negative communication patterns and installing love as an attachment bond.

Do you suffer from pain or illness and can't get a clear answer why? Does family, work, or relationships make it hard to manage stress? Are you tired of getting by and want to cultivate more joy in life? It's time to do the deeper work.

Hey, there's hope! I'm here to hold hope with you, no matter how dark things feel right now. You are in the right place if you're exhausted trying to hold it all together. If your body's under constant stress, always on alert. If you avoid reminders of past trauma, or feel stuck in unproductive patterns. If your relationships are causing you distress, and if are struggling with chronic illness or pain, depression, anxiety or PTSD or other mental illnesses. Get in touch if you want to feel more like yourself and live more fully!

Are you just f-ing exhausted? A car accident left you emotionally paralyzed. An assault shook up your life. A recent medical diagnosis or crisis has you questioning what's next. All the "why" questions are flying through your head and the constant noise is driving you nuts. You want things to make sense. You want to feel like yourself again. Most of all, you want to go back in time to the thing that changed your body or your life and do everything in your power to prevent it from happening. The problem is that no one prepared you for this or understands how to help.

Are you struggling with the challenges of parenting or managing a chronic illness? Both can leave us feeling overwhelmed, but there is hope for positive change. For parents: I help you understand how your past impacts your parenting, develop new strategies, and strengthen your parent-child bond. Together, we'll address issues like repeating unwanted patterns, feeling triggered by your child's behavior, or doubting your parenting abilities. For those with chronic illness: I assist in developing coping strategies, improving self-advocacy skills, and finding ways to live a fulfilling life despite health challenges.

Are you experiencing challenges related to managing a chronic illness, coping with pain, adopting a healthier lifestyle, or adjusting to a new medical diagnosis? Are you feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or frustrated in handling these health challenges? Do you aspire for a more fulfilling life? As a dedicated health psychologist, I am passionate about empowering individuals to achieve holistic wellness by addressing both their physical and psychological needs. I believe in treating the whole person, recognizing the intricate interplay between physical health, mental well-being, and social factors.

I have immediate openings for older adolescents, adults, and older adults. Do you find yourself asking why life turned out the way it did? Sometimes we all need someone to listen to us as we attempt to make sense of the world. I can help address perfectionism, disappointment in our life's path, and dealing with day to day struggles of chronic illness.

Therapy can be an invitation to explore our inner world and how it relates to the development of the self, relationships, and our way of making meaning in this world. My aim as a psychologist is to offer that unique space to clients where transformation, challenge and deeper understanding can occur. I specialize in grief and loss, end of life concerns, identity development, trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and psychosocial oncology. I work with adults, children, and adolescents for psychotherapy and provide assessments for autism, learning disabilities and social/emotional concerns.

We all need support! As a dedicated mental health clinician and medical family therapist, I focus on the intricate interplay between physical health and mental well-being, especially for those grappling with chronic illnesses. My work is deeply rooted in underserved and vulnerable communities, where I provide holistic, empathetic care by understanding and addressing the socio-economic, cultural, and personal contexts of my clients. Utilizing a biopsychosocial model and evidence-based therapies, I strive to empower clients and foster resilience by meeting them where they are and involving them actively in their treatment plans.

I support adolescents and adults (ages 14+) who are overwhelmed and alone to feel more calm and connected. I specialize in working with people as they try to navigate chronic illness, relational trauma, difficult family relationships, and people pleasing patterns. I lead with curiosity and compassion, always striving to help you feel seen, heard, and understood. You’ll have a space to express any emotion or thought. With this at the foundation of our work, I will help you learn how to connect and listen to yourself and your body so you can feel empowered to make the decisions that feel best for you.

Throughout our lives, many of us have been urged to mute ourselves, asked not to inconvenience or disrupt the people around us with our needs. We learn to suppress the things about us that challenge others, slowly eroding our connection to ourselves. There are countless reasons it happens: unsafe relationships, social expectations, systemic oppression, grief, life transitions, and so much more. I’ll help you tap into your inner creative resources as you learn to navigate your past, present, and future with authenticity and self-compassion.

Have you found yourself struggling with life stressors such as fertility problems, chronic illness, marital discord, relationship infidelity, or even difficulty making major decisions? If so, therapy is right for you. Are you blissfully happy and seeking pre-marital counseling with a future spouse? If so, therapy is right for you too! These incentives for counseling have one common thread, a desire to pinpoint areas where you are "stuck", guard against potential threats to your relationship harmony, improve your life, improve your relationship, and become the best version of yourself.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the state of Missouri. I received a Masters in Counseling Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2017. During my studies, I was a staff counselor at Bastyr University. In addition, I offered low cost therapy to the community at a year long internship at Seattle Therapy Alliance. I spent 4 years as a clinical fellow at Roots Renewal Counseling in St. Louis, MO. I enjoy working with adults experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, OCD, grief/loss, chronic illness, identity development, career, body image and self confidence.

My goal is meet you in your struggle. Whether it’s grief, anxiety, loss, life transitions or relationship issues, we can work to navigate these difficult times together. The path can be windy often giving us unexpected challenges with little warning or preparation. Your thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes can be shared aloud in a safe space.

With my nursing and social work background I offer a unique understanding working with clients. Using both my counseling and medical knowledge and expertise, I teach clients how to care for themselves emotionally and physically, using their strengths and talents and letting go of habits that are no longer helpful for them. I work with individuals ages 14 and older and couples who are struggling through a difficult time or have been struggling their whole life. There are answers to your concerns. I can help you find those answers that will work for you.

Embracing healing and wellness is key to maximizing your potential. Serving as a therapist and educator, I help clients understand the underlying factor(s) contributing to unresolved issues within their personal & professional lives. My goal is to provide a holistic approach to treatment by assessing the individual's environment as well as their mental, physical, and spiritual well being. The whelm of my practice has been demonstrated in both psychiatric and medical settings offering crisis intervention, intensive case management, and counseling to a diverse population.

I am passionate about helping clients with trauma, anxiety, & depression, & most enjoy working with clients aged 13-35. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, & compassion, regardless of background. Working with people from more marginalized populations & concerns related to these areas (2S-LGBTQIA+ populations, women's issues, religious trauma, racism, physical health concerns/ disabilities, adult children of immigrant families, etc.) is a passion of mine, but I am happy to work with those who are not part of these populations as well. NOTE: Email is the best way to reach me, as I am with clients most of the day!

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.