Family Therapy in Fair Grove, MO

Looking for a therapist who is open, warm, transparent and genuine? Someone easy to connect with and talk to? As someone who’s been there, I understand how difficult it can be to take the first step to see a counselor. I am here to help you feel comfortable and safe navigating through life’s struggles by providing non-judgmental ears and decades of life experience. Your story is yours alone, but I would feel privileged to come along side you to help you understand yourself from a Biblical perspective, find freedom from the pain that holds you back and help you do the brave work of healing, growth, and change.

Healthy sexuality is our objective. Sex is an integral and balanced part of life experience. Sexual behaviors become problematic when they violate vows and values, are dishonest, harmful to others, put you at risk, diminish your joy in life, act as a barrier filled with shame, self-contempt, and isolation. Sexual health creates intimacy and closeness, characterized by trust, respect, joy and safety. Sexual health can be achieved by sex addicts in recovery. The trauma and addiction model identifies the abuse, trauma and internal system that underwrites addiction and does not view problematic behavior as personal or moral failure.

PTSD is not always easily talked about and often masked by other symptoms. Do you startle easily? Unable to sleep through the night? Having nightmares? These are symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder after experiencing domestic violence, workforce harassment, tragic event, death of a family member or friend, natural disaster such as tornado, flood or fire. PTSD can be a vicious cycle of triggers, anxiety, panic attack, tiredness, unable to sleep, nightmares, ruminating thoughts, having conditions that you can't escape. I provide understanding, finding the triggering event and work through the event to find peace again.

My reason for being a counselor is to help people understand and heal from their past and/or current pain and to learn coping strategies to manage future pain. People and relationships can be complex and full of both positive and negative emotions, including some that are painful. The ability to feel them, learn from them, and express them to others allows us to live more engaged and meaningful lives. It is rewarding to be able to support people as they go through the process of self-exploration.

"Leave me alone", "You don't get it", "It's not the same as when you were a kid". Parenting can feel insurmountable, but for teens who feel misunderstood, alone, helpless, or afraid, talking to a parent may feel intimidating or counterintuitive. As a parent, grandparent, single parent, co parent, god parent, extended relative you may feel that you have run out of ideas and things to try. You have options! Contact me to help bridge the communication gap between you and your teen/tween. We already have one thing in common and that's wanting the best for you and your family!

Have you been suffering in silence or struggling with relationships? Know that hope is near. We all have experienced pain that if left untreated, can keep us trapped, inhibiting our ability to enjoy life. There are three main areas that are dear to my heart: play therapy for children who’ve gone through adverse life experiences, marriage counseling for couples experiencing difficulty, and survivors of betrayal trauma: psychological/emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Know that it will take time to heal, courage to face the reality of your experience, and a steady commitment to your own healing.

When we experience difficult situations in our lives there is nothing more empowering than having a support system to help you find your voice and identity.You have taken a courageous step in seeking counseling and I will provide support and encouragement. I will help in undoing aloneness, increasing one’s capacity to self-love and co create the narrative to become your self at best. Working with me, you will experience an empathetic, non-judgmental, holistic and strength-based approach to conquering your challenges and relationship barriers. I have received a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

The relationship one is able to build with a counselor is essential in the process of healing. As a clinician I strive to create a trusting foundation that allows my clients to explore their thoughts, emotions and somatic experiences. Taking this holistic perspective to mental health allows clients to understand and integrate things on a deeper level.

Most of my clients are facing relational challenges due to areas that are out of balance in their lives. At the present time, I have about 100 clients. I spend much time working with people with high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. My greatest strengths are in Marriage & Family and Youth Counseling due to the fact that I look for root problems in the lives of people and find ways to retrain them so that they can be much more functional. I am also very effective with self-esteem issues. With additional counselors we can address substance abuse, weight management, child custody issues, divorce mediation, etc.

As the Government is encouraging social distancing, I will continue to offer in-person as well as video conferencing.

My focus is on helping clients in the healing process. I address issues such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, marital discord, relationship conflict, trauma, grief, abuse, child conduct issues and a many other emotional, behavioral, social and family issues. I would be honored to work with anyone who is experiencing difficulty in life and help them learn and develop different ways to cope and resolve their emotional pain. One of the unique therapeutic interventions I use is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). AAT is designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning.

My ideal client is an individual who is dealing with low self-esteem, past trauma affecting current goals, coping skills, setting boundaries, family conflict, parental issues, anger management, etc. Some struggle with managing stress and expressing their feelings to others because of fear of judgment. They grew up in a household that strived for perfectionism, felt like a failure, and felt like they let people down. They have difficulty expressing their feelings to others because they fear judgment.

I am deeply committed to supporting individuals in processing and healing from past trauma. I understand the profound impact that unresolved wounds can have on one's emotional well-being, relationships, and overall success. Utilizing evidence-based practices, I walk alongside my clients to help guide them toward healing, empowerment, and reclaiming a sense of control over their lives.

I specialize in working with tweens through adult ages. During sessions we will focus on your current symptoms and life situation and explore past traumas, loss, or hurts that need to be healed to help you live your best life. I want to partner with you to increase your confidence in dealing with all that life might toss your way. I am currently accepting self-pay clients.

Trauma is not just for someone who went to war or was physically abused as a child. These events definitely will cause someone to be traumatized. However, more people are walking around with heavy emotion weights due to many types of abuse, witnessing abuse, neglectful households, systematic problems like poverty or racism. Whether you experienced one big event or many different ones, I like to help people kids to adults heal from their past. it is time to plant healthier roots!

I have over 28 years of experience working with Individuals struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, marital difficulties and family stressors. My goal is to help people find symptom relief and a life path that they find fulfilling.

I believe in a confidential, non-judgmental, relationship-centered counseling environment where individuals, families, and couples can openly and safely discuss their thoughts and feelings. Each client is treated with respect and supported to gain greater self-understanding and self-awareness. The client is at the center of therapy and determines the direction of therapy. I present different perspectives and ideas and help the client identify and develop their own ways to resolve blocks to personal growth and to improve communication and the relationships in their lives.