Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

Therapy is a partnership between the client and the therapist, and I feel honored when I am allowed to walk the path towards hope, empowerment and healing with another individual. You deserve someone who sees you, and will listen with an empathetic and non-judgmental ear. Life itself can be a struggle at times, and part of my role is to help you to recognize your strengths and assist you with concrete tools. For Black and Brown folks, as well as the LGBTQIA community, the stress can be overwhelming. It is ok, and at times necessary, to have that safe place, and safe person to hear you out. You are worth it!

Are you struggling to prioritize your own needs, but you’re able to take care of everyone else’s? Are you exhausted but unable to rest peacefully? Do you doubt yourself and minimize your accomplishments? Mental health care is different for people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals. You may face unique hardships, including discrimination, affecting your mental health. Traditional therapy can feel inadequate, but, as a black female therapist, Cherese M. Alcorn, MSW, LCSW, offers a profound understanding and empathetic approach. She aids high-achievers in balancing their mind, body, and spirit so they can lead effectively.

2023 is your game changer year! In this world, Black and Brown people experience trauma and oppression daily. This constant stress impacts the way you feel and causes anxiety or depression. You need support from someone who understands your cultural experiences. Now, you can have support from someone who appreciates your pain and suffering because they have had their own struggles to overcome. Well, you do not have to look any further. We would love to provide you the mental health support you need. Remember, we are providing services in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Texas. You belong here!

Michelle earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Saint Louis University & her Licensed Master of Social Work License 2011. Michelle has worked with a diverse population over the years, primarily focusing on children, teenagers, & families, as well as individuals facing trauma. Michelle believes that all individuals wish to be heard, accepted & understood, but when faced with stressful & challenging situations life can seem overwhelming, unmanageable, and out of control, but therapy can help bring you peace, or "calm the chaos" as she frequently says.

Many of us have unknowingly rejected or silenced parts of ourselves that don’t fit with our idea of who we are supposed to be. As a result, life can feel out of balance or even inauthentic. My hope is to create a safe and accepting space for you to feel empowered to implement positive changes in your life. I work with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety and worry, substance use, stress, trauma, abuse, anger, fear, grief and loss, guilt and shame, and other challenges. I also work with couples who are having difficulty connecting and experiencing issues related to trust, intimacy, and affection.

I have 25 years of experience and specialized training in the field of trauma treatment and mental health. Areas of focus: depression, anxiety, panic, relationships, physical, emotional and sexual violence, child sexual abuse, post-traumatic and acute stress symptoms, dissociation, grief/loss, accident related trauma, direct or secondary traumatic experience, first responder and military incidents of stress. Clients that have experienced traumatic events often feel as if they are not themselves, may have intrusive thoughts, difficulty with focus, trust and may feel jumpy and/or numb. I would like to help you find your way through.

As a social worker, my goal is to partner with my clients so that they may achieve their goals. I have a diverse background in treating trauma, addiction and mental health from a strengths-based perspective, and I have been successful in helping clients to integrate long-term solutions in their daily lives. I feel that my ability to create a strong therapeutic alliance with clients as one of my biggest strengths. For those suffering from PTSD/other past trauma, I offer EMDR therapy which continues to be researched as highly effective for individuals suffering from these conditions.

Clients work best with me when their goal is to strengthen relationships, when they feel stuck in relationship patterns that are no longer serving them, as they are navigating systems of oppression and questioning dominate narratives, and developing possibility models of what self-compassion healing could be.

Everyone, regardless of age, sex, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, creed, ability, and socioeconomic status deserves access to wellness and support. I thank you for taking a step into finding yourself in this space. Working with people in life-transitions and exploring family/intimate relationships are areas where I can provide support. I have worked with individuals trying to better connect with loved ones, understand relationship patterns, and discover and shift their responses to situations in life. I work with first responders, crisis workers, and caregivers to help build resiliency and distress tolerance.

My practice provides treatment and resources for adolescents and adults who are struggling with mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders while engaging in self-injury (cutting, burning, scratching, picking and trichotillomania), disordered eating, sexual promiscuity, substance abuse and other risky, impulsive behaviors. In addition we have programs available for families looking to support a loved one struggling with self-destructive behavior. We offer individual, family and group psychotherapy and, family/friends educational classes.

My speciality is treating children with attachment disturbances. Most of the children I see have been adopted, but many have had other medical and other relationship traumas that have contributed to their current acting out or anxiety issues. Many of the children I see have been previously diagnosed as having Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, and Bi-Polar Disorders. I also see adults who have experienced childhood trauma.

Dealing with depression or anxiety? Struggling to understand the challenges in your life? Feeling stuck, confused, or overwhelmed? Ready to move forward? Begin your journey in a safe, comforting environment where you will find respect, acceptance, and understanding to begin to heal from your pain and find solutions to move forward. Therapy that does not tell you how to live your life, but offers you guidance, suggestions, perspective, and support to help you choose the direction you want to go.

Are you looking to make a change but keep getting stuck in old, unsatisfying patterns? Is there a life transition (for example, opening up a relationship or a later-in-life coming out) you're having trouble with? I'm a queer therapist passionate about working with people who want support in navigating life's complexities. Together, in a non-judgmental space, we will find approaches that work to repair attachment wounds, address past traumas, and get curious about limiting beliefs so you can live a more expansive and authentic life.

I work with women to help rebuild a relationship with themselves that tells them they are good, and that the adversity they have experienced is not their fault. Many of my clients have experienced relational trauma that has silenced their voice, disconnected them from their emotions and bodily experience. I enjoy working with women on various issues including emotional abuse, powerlessness, relational issues (mother-daughter relationships), boundary issues, anxiety, depression, confusion and anger. I focus my energy into creating a safe space where you can begin to know and trust yourself, experiencing a sense of empowerment.

WELCOME to Ellie Mental Health in South County STL. I'm so happy that you are here and are ready to start your or your loved ones mental health journey. I am the Clinic Director and would love to help you connect with one of my wonderfully, talented clinicians. We believe counseling can be a safe place to begin this healing. Myself and my clinicians aim to bring an authentic approach that includes humor, compassion, acceptance and creativity to the therapy room.

Therapy is the experience of reflecting on our stories, finding authorship in them, and making edits along the way. You deserve a space to feel heard and to share those stories without judgment, reclaim the power in those stories, and to allow yourself space to heal. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate, playful space for clients wanting to understand the impacts of their relationships, navigating stressors and life changes, and exploring trauma (including sexual abuse). My aim is to create a comfortable space where you can allow yourself to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself.

We might be a good match if you suspect that past experiences are affecting you, if you are seeking a deeper connection with yourself and others, or if you’ve tried other types of therapy but haven’t experienced lasting healing. I believe the body naturally wants to move toward healing and use this approach through my work with trauma, anxiety, and stress. I am passionate about equipping people to work through past, present, and future challenges and strive to be a peaceful and supportive presence in the process. I believe therapy is a place for laughter, tears, connection, and healing.

The systems we live within (capitalism, colonialism, anti-fatness, etc.) and our early attachment experiences can leave us feeling disconnected from others, our bodies, our values, and our authentic selves. I offer a compassionate space to explore the ways these systems have impacted you. Together, we’ll develop resources, skills, and insights to make your life and relationships more manageable and meaningful.

Do you feel like no one understands what you're going through and like you have to constantly explain yourself? We all have bumps along the road and I am here to provide you with the support needed in order to get through them. I provide therapeutic services through a "person-centered" approach and allow for clients I am working with to take the driver's seat and determine where we go and what aspects of concern we will talk about in session. I am here to listen, help you create positive change in your life, and provide you with skills necessary to handle everyday hurdles you encounter.