Family Therapy in Saint Louis, MO

Inquiring Minds Counseling & Consultation was founded under the inherent reciprocity between human connection. In our process together we will collaborate, inquire into your story, curiously reflect on the uniqueness that is you and the experiences that have led you to this point. Together we will work to piece together the webs of connection between your formative experiences, family, culture, gender identity, religious or spiritual orientation, community influences and trauma. Together we will find that you are not defective, broken or in need of repair—in fact, you are coming more fully into who you are meant to be.

Using evidence-based techniques, I will help you look for patterns in your thinking or actions that may be causing problems, often rooted in trauma. I will help you establish healthier relationships, develop better coping skills, set boundaries and aid your ability to connect to your body & emotions while learning to regulate them effectively. Using a warm, genuine and goal-focused approach, you can be assured that whatever issue you have come to therapy to address, I will work to gently, but firmly encourage you to help resolve it. I emphasize praise and rewards for achievements, relying on your strengths as motivators for change.

You might be feeling gravity pulling you down, or fighting hard to keep afloat. Your friends and family might not understand, and you feel like all you have is yourself in your corner. You have been working hard to keep yourself safe–but what if you didn’t have to work so hard anymore? Let me be someone to offer a moment of relief, companionship, and compassion.

Typically, we wear many hats and life “tries” to deter us from making time for self-care. However, YOU are important so, give yourself permission to put YOU at the top of your to-do list. Self-care is not selfish, it is essential….YOU are essential. My goal is to support my clients holistically…..mentally, spiritually, socially, and physically. My clients are actively involved in their treatment plan that is tailored to their unique selves. I see clients for individual, couples, and family therapy. I support my clients with concerns around depression, anxiety, stress, and health management.

Hello, I'm Dr. Vivian! I focus my practice on relationship counseling and coaching to help improve the quality of relationships whether romantic, family or work-related. I will teach you vital relationship skills, and facilitate your own self-awareness in order to empower change. My approach gives relief from the suffering that accompanies the painful experience of family estrangement and relationship issues. No matter what you bring to therapy, I offer empathy, support, a safe, nonjudgmental space. I use evidence-based therapy and empathic approach to discover ways for you to heal, learn, grow and find peace of mind.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I provide individual, couple, and family therapy for a variety of clinical issues from psychodynamic and family systems perspectives. I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, abuse recovery (sexual, physical and emotional), relationship problems, adults and adolescents. I have a passion to work with hurting people and find it an honor to be part of the healing process that can occur through psychotherapy. I value and prioritize developing a strong and authentic relationship with my clients.

Have open availability for in-person and virtual sessions. Sliding scale and some Medicaid; can be weekly or every other week sessions. My goals are to give clients and their families tools, and offer genuine support in daily and/or lifelong struggles. My belief is that change is possible for anyone, but the client and their loved ones need to have an open mind, and believe in love and support. Getting out of your comfort zone is a guarantee, and therapy is the first step. Therapy helps us make changes that lead to lifelong healthy habits of self care and thriving personal relationships.

Clinical Psychologist: KNOWLEDGEABLE, COMPASSIONATE, POSITIVE, HELPFUL...Working at Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital and in private practice more than 20 years, my diagnostic and treatment services for youth, adults, couples and families are enriched by the knowledge, skills, judgment and wisdom cultivated and honed through experience (10,000 hours- four times over). Clinical supervision of Pre-doctoral Psychology Interns (http://www.umsl.edu/slpic/) helps keep me current. As a clinician, in addition to therapist and diagnostician, I may function as educator, consultant, coach and sometimes-- cheerleader. Schedule a consultation; let's find out how I may be helpful to you.

Are you going through a major change in your life? Divorce, remarriage, blending a family, new job, new baby? Have you hit a road block in your career? Is anxiety keeping you from living an enriching lifestyle? Do you have unresolved trauma? Do you have a difficult to manage child? I can help you with these sudden roadblocks. During these transitional phases of life, we need a support system to help us gain strength, resilience and maintain a healthy living. I use EMDR, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in working with adult clients and play therapy with my child clients. I act as an advocate, sounding board and gentle challenger.

Life gets hard and sometimes we just need a little support. Together, we will work through the obstacles have come your way. You deserve to live your life to the fullest and you don't have to face the challenges of life alone.

Helping clients, whether we meet individually, as couples or in groups, is my highest priority. As a compassionate active listener, I provide a safe, warm, non-judgmental space. Our close relationships within our lives can give us strength but can also create conflict, anxiety, and/or depression. The result may be physical discomfort, low self-esteem, even PTSD, as well as thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can get in the way of making positive decisions. Working as a team, my clients and I identify behavioral patterns, set goals, and begin a plan to achieve resolution and healing.

Greetings! Welcome and thank you for considering me as your therapist. It is said that the reason two antelope walk side by side is to blow the dust from each other's eyes (African proverb). In today's world, it seems harder than ever to find clarity in the midst of chaos. Living with unaddressed chaos and unresolved pain can leave us feeling stuck and disconnected from those who love us and who may be able to help us. Sometimes, due to life circumstances, we struggle to find our way back to ourselves, our family and our God.

I approach therapy with intersectionality and diversity in the forefront of my mind. The therapy models that I gravitate toward are solution-focused and strength-based approaches. Both of these models allow me to serve all types of families and individuals through client led sessions to meet the therapy goals that we create together. I look forward to meeting with you and your family to navigate adversities together in a safe, welcoming and affirming space. I am an intern working under the supervision of Megan Garza, MA, LMFT license 2011011850 MO

What do you notice happening when life's demands feel too much? Do you begin to feel consumed by a critical voice? Perhaps hopelessness or shame takeover, and you aren't able to focus on what you need. You keep returning to coping strategies that aren't working, and life leaves you exhausted. You know that you are ready for something different. I am here to listen and help you understand the "why" within your struggles. Our work will focus on allowing for all sides of you to have a voice, to be understood, and to have the space to grow.

The past few years have undoubtedly taken a toll on people, and families' emotional and mental health. The effects are evident, but not irreversible. Circumstances have changed our mood, how we react, interact and cope with the world and those around us. Family, intimate, personal, and work relationships have been affected. Coping skills that have worked in the past, may no longer serve us well, and could be hindering our overall health, happiness, contentment and wellbeing.

Over half of my work is with couples. Through training and supervision in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), I can see and hear needs and feelings long hidden for fear of being hurt again. I empathize and acknowledge real wrongs and real emotional damage to trust and respect. I hear both sides. I also offer hope. I can see when marital conflict itself offers evidence that partners still desire and need each other. I know how difficult a process forgiveness and then trust building really are. Slowly, when even one is ready to love again, I equip both to express their hearts with a gentle strength, and to hear with compassion.

I am a dedicated therapy professional who stays current in several specializations, holding advanced degrees, licenses, and certifications. With solid expertise in the scientific bases of Marriage and Family Therapy, I use the Brief Solution Oriented Cognitive Behavioral approach. The approach I use is an invaluable resource in guiding clients towards positive changes in less time, while allowing clients to maintain their autonomy.

A medical diagnosis can be life altering. Do you want to be heard, understood, and supported as you try to make sense of this part of your life? Seeing an experienced and empathic therapist can provide a positive transformation that's refreshing and liberating!

The therapeutic relationship is viewed as a collaborative effort where client and therapist join together to seek understanding, healing, and peace. Mary Beth has over 30 years' experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Premarital and marital therapy is provided with a balanced perspective seeking ways to build or rebuild intimate friendship and devoted connection. Individual therapy also provided, focused on issues such as relationship conflict, loss, anxiety and depression.