Female Therapists in Springfield, MO

Hello! My name is Olivia Parks and I am a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor at Synergy Counseling Center. I am currently accepting clients for both, individual and couples therapy. I believe it is an honor to walk along your side as we help you navigate through your own unique journey. Through compassion and empathy, my goal is to provide you with a safe space to explore who you are and what you need without fear of judgement. Life is full of challenges, but we can do hard things!

I am a trained Brainspotting (BSP) therapist. Sessions are self-pay only. I offer professional supervision for Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselors. I received the 2021 Healthcare Champions Counselor of the Year award presented by the Springfield Business Journal.

Hi! Are you the parent scrolling through Psychology Today, looking for answers? You're doing okay. You're not screwing it all up. Good on you for being here today. I don’t know what brought you here, but I’m glad for it. You’re looking for someone that can help you navigate something tough. Whether you land with me or one of my colleagues, this is a great step and I hope it brings you a lot of momentum in your journey.

I work with couples who feel disconnected from their partner and want to not only improve their communication but also reestablish their relationship as a secure place to turn to. I also work with individuals who have experienced trauma and would benefit from learning how to relax their bodies and change their perceptions, especially in the context of a perceived threat.

Life is full of transitions. Changes in employment, relationship status, becoming a parent, the illness or death of a loved one, relocating or developing a health condition are some of the most challenging life transitions. Without adequate emotional support and healthy coping skills, the extra stress can lead to more serious physical or mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and relationship conflicts can appear or worsen as a result of not having knowledge of how to effectively cope with life changes. I educate and support my clients as we work to eliminate negative symptoms and develop a brighter future.

I am part of OCD Associates, a nation-wide private practice specializing in treating individuals with OCD using a combination of Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and psychodynamic approaches. I typically see clients for a 45 minute session weekly or every two weeks via telehealth. I can see any client that is in a PsyPact state. I was trained in ERP through the IOCDF in 2015, and I have completed two intensive psychodynamic programs through the LA Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS) in 2021/22 and the William Alanson White Institute (WAWI) in 2024.

Sometimes you need space that is only for you. Space for your feelings to be big, raw, and unedited while you sort through them without judgement from yourself or anyone else. Whether the issue is depression, anxiety, trauma, a life transition, relationship issues, parenting issues, LGBTQ issues, religious abuse, or a need for personal growth, counseling can create a safe space to be your authentic messy self as you sort things out.

Stepping out to ask for help can be incredibly intimidating and uncomfortable. I know how hard it is to ask for help, but the simple fact that you are looking for help makes you a step closer to healing than you were yesterday. Effective therapy is one that is based on a strong therapeutic relationship built on a mutual goal of healthy living. When emotions become overwhelming, we will work together to overcome struggles. You will never have to go through it alone. Whatever the obstacle ahead of us, as your counselor I will be right by your side every step of the way matching you step for step.

My ideal client to work with is one who comes ready to look at the why behind the what, going deeper to understand the roots that cause one to act and think the way they do. The purpose and goal in being curious about the roots is to heal from the wounds and deep-rooted beliefs about ourselves and the world that we have picked up along our own journey in life. The benefit of this work is to live more freely in the Truth of who we were created to be, not allowing fear and past wounds to control one’s life. This growth can equip and lead to more safe, connected, and healthy relationships with ourselves and our loved ones.

I'm committed to the restoration of families and our community. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors, Association of Missouri Mediators and the Professional Mediation Association. I counsel all populations from ages 3 to 81 and employ an integrated modality approach. My practice includes child therapy, couples & relationship counseling, family counseling and individual counseling. I am also certified in Prepare/Enrich, a marital and premarital counseling course.

I help men and women who are not living up to the quality of life they desire because of sadness, overwhelm, or hopelessness. My goal is to help my clients process and navigate these emotions and empower them to develop a plan for moving toward a more fulfilling and balanced life. I am committed to providing a safe and supportive space for them to explore their challenges, discover their strengths, and ultimately achieve their goals for all-around well-being.

Hey! Just wanted to check-in real quick to ask if you've been scrolling in an uncomfortable position for too long. (Yep, your jaw and shoulders might need to be unhooked, too.) Scrolling through tons of filtered search results can feel impossible, especially while trying to find help for yourself or someone you love. Give yourself a moment if you need it, okay? Okay, cool. Now that we have that taken care of.... Starting therapy can be scary, and awkward. (Look at you, taking this step!) I strive to create a space where your emotions and experiences, questions and dreams are witnessed and validated.

I work with individuals with a wide range of concerns. My clinical specialties and interests include disordered eating, body image, obesity and weight loss, LGBTQ, gender identity, phase of life transitions, grief/loss, relationships, assertive communication, issues related to trauma/adverse life experiences, holistic health and wellness, self-compassion, and promoting self-awareness and insight. My background includes significant experience in the delivery of behavioral health care including individual psychotherapy and inpatient, intensive-outpatient, and outpatient groups. In addition to my experience with psychotherapy services, I also complete psychological assessments, provide supervision to pre-doctoral psychology interns, and consultation services.

I can help you to calm your mind, relax your body, nourish and honor your spirit... Release mental and emotional patterns and blockages that are inhibiting your growth and well-being. Through true acceptance, listening and understanding, I can help you find peace, love and joy... in this process you can heal trauma, enhance your creativity, and experience optimum performance in all aspects of your life and relationships. Join me now in creating a healthy and thriving relationship with yourself and with others. Enjoy being alone, enjoy being with others, enjoy being yourself. Be content and fulfilled!

The world we live in is constantly changing, and it can be a struggle to keep up with at times. In addition, we are influenced in the present moment by our past, while at the same time moving toward an uncertain future. I work with adults trying to adjust to life changes or who may be struggling with trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, balancing wellness with daily demands, and substance use. My goal is to support my clients in finding understanding and agency to maneuver their experiences with clarity, calm, safety, and strength as they strive to lead fulfilling and wholesome lives.

You have a story. A very important and unique story. Sometimes your story keeps you stuck. It keeps you from being the best version of yourself. If your story involves trauma whether from sexual abuse, divorce as an adult or child, physical or verbal abuse, loss, relationship conflict, boundary confusion, religious confusion, natural disasters, accidents, etc, I can help you reprocess these memories and the negative things that you tell yourself. It takes a lot of strength to reach out and ask for help however, I will provide you a safe space to do just that.

When the weight of life comes crashing down, it can be hard to know what to do next. We’ve all been there and can feel stuck and scared. I believe the act of seeking help is the bravest thing a person can do. My goal is to create a safe place where you will feel seen, heard, and valued. A place where you can share your story without fear of judgment and receive effective tools and strategies to cope with the hard parts of life. This is a partnership, and I honor the bravery and courage that comes with sharing your life story.

I am a clinical intern, moving into my final licensure phase in May 2025. I have focused my research in Somatic-Based interventions, using the body's wisdom as a key ingredient to the healing process. As a therapist, it is my goal to consider all parts of your lived experiences and embrace them with acceptance and compassion as we navigate through the process of restoring a new sense of self. I integrate a bio-psycho-social model to my framework, allowing me to take in all parts of the human experience including body, attachment, and memories.

Life becomes too difficult; you need an objective someone to talk to, listen to your story, and provide encouragement that you can not only survive what you are going through, but work to find purpose and meaning in the midst of the storm. The most important aspect of therapy is the Client-Therapist relationship. Once it is determined that the Client is comfortable with me, then it is a collaborative effort to help facilitate the healing process through the life changes the Client faces. My job is to provide a safe place for change and growth to happen.