FAQ

I see clients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I have morning hours and late afternoon hours.

Yes, I do telehealth. If I am going to see you virtually, you must live in Missouri. I cannot see out-of-state people through telehealth because I only have a license to practice in Missouri. I can see out-of-state people only if they come to my office in person.

If you are a new client, you can request an appointment here. If you are a returning client, you can go here or to your portal link to request an appointment.

For new clients, once an appointment is requested and confirmed, you will receive an email with a link to your portal and the paperwork you must complete before your first appointment. Please complete the paperwork 48 hours before your appointment.

I require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for appointment cancellations or reschedules. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not attend your scheduled session, you will be responsible for the full session fee. This policy helps ensure availability for all clients and respects the time set aside for your appointment.

I work with adults and couples.

I work best with individuals who are ready to take an honest look at themselves and do the work of healing and growth. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, major life changes, or struggles in relationships, I provide a space where you can explore what’s holding you back and move toward something better.

My approach is direct yet compassionate, grounded in real conversation rather than generic advice. I have specialized training in EMDR and work with people facing issues of self-worth, emotional regulation, and personal development. I also help adults untangle the lasting effects of painful childhood experiences, including those recovering from religious and cultic abuse. If you’re open to doing the work and want meaningful change, I’m here to support you.

I take a practical and deeply engaged approach to therapy, drawing from cognitive therapy to help clients recognize and shift harmful thought patterns. I integrate mindfulness and somatic techniques to build emotional regulation and reconnect the mind with the body, fostering a greater sense of presence and stability.

My work is also meaning-centered, helping clients explore personal growth and purpose as they navigate their healing journey. For those recovering from trauma, I use a trauma-informed lens and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.

My focus is on creating a structured yet flexible space where clients can heal, build resilience, and move forward in a way that feels both authentic and empowering.

My specialties include working with adults who are processing and healing from painful childhood experiences or trauma. Many of my clients are navigating the lasting effects of difficult family dynamics, neglect, or early-life experiences that continue to impact their well-being.

I also work with individuals who have experienced religious abuse or have survived cultic involvement, helping them unpack the psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects of these experiences.

My approach is compassionate and supportive, providing a safe space to explore, heal, and regain a sense of autonomy and self-trust.

Trauma occurs when an overwhelming experience prevents you from emotionally and psychologically processing what happened. Signs of trauma can include anxiety, self-blame or shame, hypervigilance, emotional over- or under-reactivity (such as excessive anger, crying, or numbness), insomnia, addiction, reckless behavior, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

Trauma may stem from a single high-intensity event, such as a car accident, violent assault, or sudden injury. It can also develop from ongoing, lower-intensity experiences that chronically undermine one’s sense of safety – such as growing up in an environment of emotional abuse or neglect. This latter form is often called complex trauma.

Complex trauma is more challenging to resolve because it affects multiple aspects of life, shaping our identity, development, ability to process information, social interactions, and overall emotional and psychological well-being.

However, there is no need to lose hope. When complex trauma is processed and healed, it can become a source of deep strength, compassion, wisdom, and resilience. I often tell clients that unaddressed trauma leads to pain and suffering; but when we engage with it and work through it, it can become a wellspring of the best of our humanity.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based neurological approach designed to help resolve the symptoms of trauma. It works by reprocessing traumatic memories and their emotional charge, allowing them to lose their intensity and become like any other memory.

The process is gentle and, at times, may even feel subtle, but it is highly effective in neutralizing painful memories and reducing the emotional reactivity they can trigger.

I am trained in EMDR through a certified program and incorporate it into therapy when appropriate for my clients.

Religion can provide great comfort, meaning, and purpose in people’s lives. But it also can be a source of pain and abuse. There are many ways that people can be hurt by religion.

Here are a few.

• Sexually, physically, or emotionally abused by a religious leader such as a priest or a pastor
• Rejected or shunned by a religious community or family because of religion
• Taught to hate or fear one’s body or sexuality – purity culture or anti-gay teachings
• Excessive fear of eternal damnation or paranoia about sinning
• Controlled and manipulated by religion, religious teachings, or religious leaders

Healthy religion is healthy psychology. When religion becomes controlling, oppressive, manipulative, or threatening, it is entering the realm of religious abuse.

Cults come in all shapes and sizes and are more common than one thinks. They can be the local church down the street or the nearby yoga group. Cults can be religious, political, therapeutic, activist, humanitarian, or any other way where humans gather and form groups.

The defining feature of a destructive cult is the use of coercive control, which involves controlling behavior, information, thoughts, and emotions. This is done through manipulation, lies, misinformation, overt and covert threats, indoctrination, peer pressure, gaslighting, and other techniques of persuasion. A very effective cult doesn’t have to police members’ behavior, thoughts, or emotions directly. It gets its members to do that themselves.

No one joins a cult. They join a group that they think will improve their lives or the lives of their community, neighborhood, society, or world.

Humans are very socially oriented beings who like to connect. Because of this, we are easily influenced by each other. If you don’t believe me, I have some questions for you.

Have you ever done something you didn’t want to do to please someone else? Have you ever bought anything for a higher price than the generic because of its brand name?

If you say yes to either of them, you are open to being influenced by doing things not in your interest.

Being in a cult is like being in a dysfunctional relationship. Instead of being in a dysfunctional relationship with one person, you are in a dysfunctional relationship with a group of people. I don’t know about you, but I see many intelligent, educated, independent people in very dysfunctional relationships.

Dysfunction doesn’t have a particular type. It is an equal opportunity, just like cults.

Lordy, no!

I would love to work with you if you want to change your life, overcome problems, or process painful happenings. I promote that I work with people recovering from cultic involvement because I think it is an underserved area of our society. But no, you do not need to be an ex-cult member.

You can talk to your friends about your problems, but does it provide lasting help? If so, great! You probably don’t need to see a therapist. If not, you may want to see a therapist.

A therapist is not just there to listen to your problems. At least, I am not! I am here to help you develop new skills, break out of stuck thinking, reframe problems, and heal from past wounds. Therapy sessions with me are focused and engaging. They are not just bitch sessions (though sometimes that is necessary).

Finding the right therapist isn’t always easy, but a few things matter most. First, do you feel comfortable? Can you open up and talk about what’s really going on? That might take time, but most people get a gut feeling early on about whether the connection feels right.

Just as important is trust. Do you feel safe with your therapist? Do you believe they genuinely care and can actually help? Trust takes time to build, but there should be a solid foundation from the beginning.

The best way to figure this out is to ask questions. I encourage clients to ask about how I work, my approach, and what I can offer. I’m happy to share my thoughts on counseling, emotional healing, and what helps people grow and move forward. Human psychology – what makes us tick, struggle, heal, and thrive – is a fascinating topic, and I always welcome those conversations.

Some clients like to know a little about me personally, which is understandable. I’m open to sharing in a general way, but I also believe in keeping strong professional boundaries. That’s not about being distant – it’s about protecting the therapeutic relationship so that it remains a safe and effective space for you.

To get the most out of therapy, it’s important to approach the process with openness and commitment. Therapy is most effective when you actively engage in self-reflection, honestly share your thoughts and feelings, and are willing to explore new perspectives.

Consistency is key – attending sessions regularly and prioritizing your therapeutic work between sessions can lead to deeper insights and lasting change. This might involve journaling, practicing coping strategies, or noticing patterns in your daily life.

It’s also helpful to communicate openly with your therapist. If something isn’t working for you, or if you have concerns about the process, discussing them can lead to adjustments that better support your needs. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and your willingness to participate fully will help you gain the most from it.