Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I work with families and individuals ages 12 and up who are seeking support with daily life challenges related to emotional, relational, spiritual or career concerns.

I seek to provide counseling to couples and individuals, both adults and adolescents. I work with interpersonal, relationship issues including: family of origin dynamics, trauma and maladaptive coping patterns, marriage and pre-marital counseling, improving communication skills, self-image and identity, managing anger, and men's sexual addiction.

**CURRENTLY HAVE WAITLIST FOR NEW CLIENTS** Melissa has been practicing clinical social work/psychotherapy with adolescents and adults for over 15 years, specializing in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-injury and grief/loss. She has an eclectic approach, drawing from psychodynamic, interpersonal and skills-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, collaborative and integrative. She has a profound respect for the complexity of people's lives and experiences.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families from a relational, trauma informed, attachment informed, developmental perspective. Trained in child psychotherapy, couples therapy and family therapy, I work to understand clients within the context of their primary and family relationships. I especially enjoy working with couples and families. I work to identify the emotional and interpersonal obstacles to further growth, and build on the strength and resilience of the individual, couple and family. .I have experience working with children and adolescents experiencing the full range of emotional, social and developmental difficulties.

Are you scared of what’s to come? Do you sometimes feel lonely, confused? Maybe unheard or misunderstood. Perhaps it’s a transitional time in your life. Have you lost someone (or something) dear to you? Do you have a decision to make but don’t quite know how to launch? A counselor can be a resource to help you through these adjustments. A set of ears, a sounding board... Whether there’s difficulty with interpersonal relationships you need to further explore, or challenges with current situations you suspect stem from your past, let's explore and navigate

At times, we all find ourselves pushed to the limits of what we can cope with. We work hard to escape familiar, painful cycles, only to end up where we began. Some of us are attempting to salvage marriages with spouses we dearly love, yet with whom we continue to engage in the same old arguments, losing hope that we can ever recover the connection we once had. Others may be battling crippling anxiety or trying to shake the cloud of depression that darkens our every step. We are left exhausted, discouraged, and hopeless.

Throughout our lives, many of us adopt narratives that don’t align with our actual experiences — they may leave out important details about our families or our make-up, the ways we were hurt, or the ways in which we have succeeded. But in all cases, they don’t do justice to the depth of our experiences, and in fact, when we have been abused or mistreated, the very purpose of these false narratives may be to obscure the truth of who we are and what we’ve been through. My greatest hope is that our work together will allow you to come home to yourself as you learn to tell stories that honor the core of who you are.

My professional strengths include a solid theoretical base, strong interpersonal skills and a thorough understanding of human behavior. Intelligence, experience, humor and humanity are all qualities which make me a very effective therapist. Clients and colleagues tell me I have an unusual degree of insight. I offer my insights to help individuals generate insights of their own. I actively address a client's presenting concerns with directness and support. When appropriate, I encourage deeper examination. My experience is that client self awareness reinforced with behavioral strategies accelerate therapy,helping people achieve greater and more immediate mastery.

"There is nothing you can tell me that won't strike me as beautiful and human" -Cheryl Strayed. Major life changes, invalidating home/social lives, past trauma, and current stressors affect moods, behaviors, and relationships, often leaving us repeating unhelpful patterns. When our attempts to cope with and repair issues no longer work, it's time to seek therapy. I will collaborate with you and provide a warm, safe, nonjudgmental space so you feel supported while you develop interpersonal skills, learn to manage emotions, strengthen relationships, and improve self-awareness so you can make changes toward living the life you desire.

Available remotely in: AL, AZ, AR, CT, DE, D.C., GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI. I was introduced to psychology while going through a difficult time as a young college student and seeking the help of a therapist. The experience taught me so much about myself and how to manage my emotions during difficult times that I decided to learn more about the field. One intro to psychology class turned into two more, and then just 12 short years later (with a few twists and turns along the way) I completed my PhD in counseling psychology!

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.

If you've found yourself here, then I imagine you are looking for support to make a change in your life. It can be so challenging when you are shifting through all of these profiles to understand who can help you and how. It is true, there is not one counselor that is a great fit for each person. However, with over 12 years of therapist experience, I have seen that therapy REALLY works! I have also noticed that underneath a lot of anxiety, depression, eating disorders and relationship concerns is trauma. I specialize in working with trauma using EMDR. I help people move from a life of pain to one where they experience thriving.

As a therapist I believe the answers we seek are within ourselves and it takes courage to find them. I want to support and guide people on their journeys to find answers and help them lead more fulfilling lives. I counsel children, adolescents, adults, and families. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as Person-Centered techniques when working with clients. I am also certified in play therapy and use play as one method, when working with children, to communicate, explore, and express feelings.

I approach counseling with the belief that I encounter every client in the middle of a story. Within these stories, individuals are influenced by their relational contexts and histories––therefore, what they have been through is worth exploring. At the same time, I believe all are active agents in their present and future––I seek to empower clients toward change while fostering awareness of what has shaped them. In the context of safety, individuals are able to begin embracing agency and taking new risks which might otherwise feel inaccessible or overwhelming. Through these new risks, freedom and growth is possible.

I believe that we were all created to be in community with one another. Many things, such as stress, trauma, or loss can disrupt our ability to do so. I am passionate about helping individuals and families learn healthier ways of relating by promoting safety and attachment within relationships. I believe you, the caregiver, are the best resource for your child. I hope to see your family flourish and find a way to rely on one another through life's difficulties.

"Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways." I enjoy working who are struggling to cope, adjust or heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, personality and/or family issues. I use a broad range of theory in practice to address client concerns and moving them into wellness.

Jill Carron, MS, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, relationships, anger management, ADHD, trauma, and family conflict. Jill uses various types of therapy in her sessions including Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Dr. Helen Friedman is a compassionate and interactive clinical psychologist with 10 years of additional formal training after her Ph.D. and 41 years in practice. She works with anxiety, stress, depression, grief, divorce, sexual and relationship issues. Specialty areas are child sexual abuse (children, adults, victims and perpetrators), compulsive sexual behavior (including porn addiction and partners), dissociative identity disorder, and gender identity. Trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities (family systems, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt, etc.), she tailors her approach to the individual, couple, or family.

I treat individuals, couples and families with a variety of struggles. Whether you are in need of help navigating present relationships, life transitions, or are struggling with lifelong issues, my education and experience can help you achieve your goals. I use a variety of approaches throughout the therapeutic process to meet the needs of the clients I see as they progress and work towards leading a happier, healthier life. My experience and training can help you grow and create the change for which you are looking.