Grief counselors and therapists in Topeka, KS

I am an experienced therapist, licensed in Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas. I will be your partner and tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I have a master’s degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. I have been described as supportive, direct, caring, and compassionate, with a good sense of humor. I like to focus on identifying your strengths and helping you maximize them.

Hello! I am Ellen Heckerman, LSCSW, I have 48 years' experience in counseling with families, and individuals, both adults and children. I enjoy helping clients become their best self and beginning to flourish. Some of the areas I specialize in are Family therapy, marital therapy, treating ADHD in adults and children, treating depression and anxiety, and adjustment disorders . I am a Christian counselor and I can work with you from a faith-based perspective if you like.

I've spent 20+ years working with people who are smart, self-aware, and still stuck — and there's a reason for that. Insight alone doesn't change deeply worn patterns. What does change them is combining the right clinical approach with someone who actually understands what you're carrying. I work with adults, teens, and children across Kansas via telehealth, and I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and ADHD — as well as LGBTQIA+ affirming care, substance use, and maternal mental health.

My style is direct and warm. I'm not a head-nodding, "how does that make you feel?" therapist. I'll ask hard questions when they're needed, and I'll be in your corner every step of the way.

For 30 years, I've worked inside schools alongside children and adolescents — as a social worker, an advocate, and someone who genuinely understands how young people think, struggle, and grow. I know what anxiety looks like in a middle schooler. I know how ADHD shows up in a classroom. And I know that the kids and families who need support deserve to get it without spending years trying to find relief.

I'm a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker — a credential I earned in November 2025, after raising two kids of my own while completing every requirement along the way. It took longer than I planned. I wouldn't change it. That experience shapes how I show up for every client.

I hold a Master's in Social Work from the University of Kansas and work as both a school social worker and a therapist, giving me a perspective on young people and families that's grounded in their real, daily lives.

As a clinical therapist for 12 years I believe that having a good therapeutic experience can add to your life and those around you immensely. Getting started is often the hardest part so congratulations on taking this step! I work mainly with clients experiencing difficulty with relationships, including but not limited to romantic relationships or family. If you are needing help with changing unhealthy patterns and finding new ways of being in relationship this is my specialty. I also have experience working with neurodivergent issues with individuals and well as in relationships.

I'm passionate about creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment. I earned my bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and my master's in Social Work from the University of Kansas, and I've worked with individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and substance use. I believe healing happens through genuine connection, and I'm here to support and encourage you every step of the way.

I've spent my career helping people navigate life's challenges. I have been a therapist for over fourteen years. I've worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups, and I genuinely enjoy my work. I know that life can be difficult, and there can be times when you feel alone, without anyone who understands you or the situation you are facing. That is why I became a therapist to help those who feel stuck and misunderstood. I will never make you feel like just a number. My approach is client-centered and solution-focused. I will work with you in helping you reach the goals that mean the most to you.

With more than 22 years of experience supporting individuals through life's challenges, I bring a calm, compassionate, and practical approach to therapy. My background spans public education, hospice care, and crisis mental health, giving me extensive experience helping people navigate grief, anxiety, life transitions, stress, and emotional overwhelm. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered. Together, we'll create a plan that fits your unique needs and helps you move toward lasting growth and healing.

Hello, and welcome. I’m Jinna Rittenhouse, LCPC, and I’m truly glad you’re here. Reaching out for support takes courage, and whether this is your first experience with therapy or a return to the work, I’m honored to walk with you. With 44 years of clinical experience, I’ve guided individuals through anxiety, depression, trauma, major life changes, and some of the most overwhelming moments life can bring. I offer virtual sessions, giving you the flexibility and comfort of meeting from wherever you feel most at ease.