Discover What We Offer
In our first meeting together, we'll talk about what brings you to counseling, what you want to accomplish, and barriers you’ve had with what you have already tried.
I understand that in the first meeting you will be deciding if you think I can help you. So, as I get to know you and gather information, I make a point to be present, share my initial thoughts and pose questions in order for you to build that confidence. In the following sessions, we will explore different techniques and new ways of seeing and doing things, so that the challenges become easily managed or resolved entirely. Ideally, we will meet once a week so that you get results faster, and you’ll have “homework” – meaning on week you may be trying out something we discussed, doing a tangible exercise, or maybe just thinking about what you learned in the session.
I have been practicing for 20 years. So, I have helped countless people with sadness and depression, stress and anxiety, relationships, life changes, loss, trauma, self-esteem, parenting substance use and much more. I have learned that any one approach is not ideal for everyone. So, I incorporate multiple counseling approaches, interventions and tools to be able to help in the manner that works best for you.
Accepted Insurances
- Cigna
- Anthem BCBS
- Medicaid (MO Healthnet)
- Home State Health Plan
- Aetna BH
- Missouri Care/Wellcare
- Optum Behavioral Health (UHC)
Out of Pocket
- $75 per hour
Individuals
Working with individuals has been the foundation of my understanding and application.
Couples
I have done extensive work with couples improving emotional and physical intimacy, communication, repairing injuries to the relationship, and alignment of needs.
Families
I worked extensively with children and families. Primary referral for Intensive Treatment of children with trauma, behavioral problems, adjustment to being in foster care, issues from abuse, and others.
Children, Adolescent, and Teens
Is your child, adolescent or teen having problems with things like self-confidence, defiant and acting out behaviors at home or school, anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, impulsivity, family dynamics or fitting-in? I can help significantly improve the problem or resolve it entirely. I have consistent success, because I have 20 years of experience, training, and continued education working with these issues and many more. I have helped countless families and we have prevented their children from developing the issues that I treat in adults.
When parents come to me, they have already tired most everything they can think of. Usually they come without any real confidence that counseling will help. But, after a session or two, the hope comes and we continue until we work our way to achieving goals.
Some therapeutic approaches that I use for individuals and couples are Cognitive Behavioral and Brief Psychodynamic.
I have found it effective to incorporate both approaches; I might, say, use CBT tactics to provide symptom relief in the beginning before diving deeper into a psychodynamic perspective. The exact calibration of these approaches or another often depends on your needs and goals
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT focuses on finding practical, skills-based solutions to present-day problems.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, often shortened to CBT, focuses on recognizing negative thought patterns and changing thoughts and behaviors and feelings through concrete skills.
The focus is on finding practical solutions to your present-day challenges instead of looking for the root cause of the problem.
CBT often entails homework assignments.
Sessions often involve homework assignments (“action plans” or activities) for you to implement outside of sessions.
Typical homework assignments include:
- Journaling negative thoughts throughout the day so you can begin looking at these thoughts and challenging them
- Writing self statements to counteract the negative thoughts you have throughout the day
- Practicing positive reinforcement when you recognize and change a particular thought you can reward yourself
- Mastering meditation practices to calm and center yourself
- Learning visualization techniques to help you to change the negative script in your head into a successful and pleasant script
- Doing breathing exercises to help deal with anxiety and calm your mind
CBT is often a short-term treatment style, lasting 2-3 months.
This type of therapy is typically more short-term, usually eight to 12 weekly sessions, over the course of two or three months.
Brief Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy looks to your past to understand your present.
One form of psychodynamic therapy called brief psychodynamic therapy is shorter-term; it is set up to help you discover what is blocking you from progressing in a certain area. Once the reason for being blocked is uncovered, therapy usually ends.
In other words, this approach focuses on helping you gain insight into how your early life experiences (such as your relationship with your parents) affect your present day.
The goal of Psychodynamic Therapy is to heighten self-awareness and self-empowerment.
In psychodynamic treatment, you’re working towards developing greater understanding of yourself, both now and in your past.
The ultimate aim is to harness this newfound internal insight to:
- Reshape your understanding and thoughts about yourself
- Heal emotional wounds
- Shift unhealthy relationship patterns and behaviors
- Sadness and Depression
- Stress and Anxiety
As you identify the deep-rooted aspects of yourself, such as ongoing relationship patterns, various interpersonal struggles, and different facets of your personality, that knowledge gives you the ability to make and sustain real change that has been fostered by the tangible Cognitive Behavioral techniques.