Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Columbia, MO

With a career spanning nearly two decades in child welfare and clinical social work, Laura provides a specialized safe place for youth (ages 3–26) navigating life’s most difficult experiences. Her practice focuses on building inner coping and resilience by enhancing bodily awareness and active curiosity, ensuring that healing isn’t just a cognitive process, but a physical one.

Specialized Clinical Focus:

Childhood Trauma: Expert in childhood sexual abuse, abuse and neglect, grief, bullying, complex medical diagnosis/complications, and all the BAD, SAD, and SCARY things in-between.

Specialized Sexual Behavior Work: Extensive experience facilitating therapy for children and adolescents with inappropriate and illegal sexual behaviors.

Systemic Support: Navigating foster care, adoption, divorce, family and/or sibling dynamics, behavioral struggles, and school avoidance.

Therapy can be a powerful space for support, insight, and meaningful change. With more than 20 years of experience, I work with clients across the lifespan, including those in the "sandwich generation," older adults, caregivers, and people facing serious illness. I help individuals navigate complex family dynamics, work and health stressors, and major life transitions. A central focus of my work is helping clients communicate more effectively in the relationships that matter most-with partners, parents, adult children, and siblings-and break the patterns that keep important conversations stuck.

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience, and I came back to this work because it matters. I've spent most of my career sitting with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, addiction, and the kind of stress that builds quietly over time — the kind most people don't talk about until it becomes unavoidable. I practice telehealth only, which means wherever you are in Missouri, you can access consistent, quality care without rearranging your life. I offer morning, afternoon, and evening appointments — including some Saturdays — because I know life doesn't stop at 5 p.m. My approach is direct and practical. I use evidence-based tools, but I adapt them to what actually works for you specifically. I'm not here just to listen — I'm here to help you move.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel difficult, but you don’t have to navigate challenging seasons alone. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience supporting adolescents and adults through anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, life transitions, and relationship and family concerns.

As a Certified Grief Educator, I have a particular passion for helping people navigate grief and loss. I understand that grief is not linear and that everyone experiences loss differently. Together, we can create a supportive, compassionate space where you can process your emotions, make sense of your experiences, and find ways to move forward while honoring the people and relationships you’ve lost.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized. I use evidence-based strategies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and DBT-informed coping skills, along with practical tools you can use in everyday life. We may also focus on emotional regulation, communication, boundaries, coping strategies, and building confidence.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, adjusting to a major life transition, working through relationship concerns, or trying to find your way through grief, therapy can provide a place to feel heard, supported, and understood. I would be honored to support you along the way.

Some things stay buried for years before you are finally ready to look at them. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults carrying trauma, grief, family conflict, and depression. Some of my clients come to me in the middle of a crisis. Others come because something from the past is quietly running their present. In either case, you deserve a space that is honest and supportive while you do the hard work of becoming more like the version of yourself you want to be.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and clinical experience in both civilian and military settings. Over the years, I’ve supported individuals facing trauma, anxiety, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and identity concerns.

I’ve worked as a therapist in outpatient settings, private practice, and as a behavioral health provider within the Missouri Army National Guard. These experiences have given me a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, EMDR-informed approaches, CBT, and strengths-based therapy.

I support clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, relationship strain, and transitions. I take pride in creating a grounded, non-judgmental environment where you can explore what you’re facing and develop strong, sustainable coping skills.

I have been practicing for 17 years, primarily seeing adults and senior citizens. I operate from a person-centered, emotionally-focused basis. You are the expert on your life, and my goal is to help you with that. I utilize experiential and psychodramatic techniques.. These methods allow for role plays and visualizations. Such techniques increase your ability to get more deeply in touch with your issues and see situations clearly. When you reenact what happens at home, in the safety of the therapy office, solutions become clear and your voice becomes strong.

I work with individuals aged 15 and older who are facing anxiety, depression, low-self-esteem, and many other difficulties. The individuals I see are experiencing these challenges as a result of the negative impacts of current or past relationships, or situations that cause repeated exposure to other people's trauma.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a degree from Pfeiffer University. I have always been drawn to helping others and consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals as they navigate life’s challenges. My therapeutic approach is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. I am deeply committed to helping them grow, heal, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.

I am dually licensed as a nurse practitioner and a licensed professional counselor. I have been working with adults, adolescents, and children for more than 20 years. I have extensive experience with populations in crisis, mood disorders, and helping individuals identify their goals with clarity.