Family therapy and counseling in Columbia, MO

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life or weighed down by past experiences? Whatever you’ve been through, you don’t have to face it alone. As a licensed clinical social worker specializing in PTSD, attachment, and family systems, I’m here to help you uncover your strengths, heal from trauma, and create meaningful change.

I have dedicated my career to helping others since graduating from Truman State University in 1994 and later earning my Master's degree from Lindenwood University. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about supporting individuals and families through life's challenges while helping them discover hope, healing, and resilience.

My experience in the social services field has provided me with the opportunity to work with a diverse range of populations and settings, including juvenile services, foster care, behavioral schools, residential treatment facilities, substance abuse programs, and career development services. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the unique challenges people face and strengthened my commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to quality mental health care.

I specialize in working with individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and depression. I am trained in several evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, DBT, CBT, and TF-CBT. Because every person's journey is unique, I tailor my approach to meet each client's individual needs, drawing from a variety of therapeutic tools to help them achieve meaningful and lasting change.

Together, we work to build on existing strengths, develop healthy coping skills, and create pathways toward emotional wellness and personal growth.

When I am not working, I enjoy being the proud mother of two wonderful young men. I am actively involved in my church and community and cherish spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy watching basketball, swimming, and taking advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and warm-weather activities.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 2003 and a master’s degree in counseling in 2005, both from Missouri State University.

For the past 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work with students and parents, in high school, middle school and elementary settings, as an educator and Professional School Counselor. Over the years, I have also worked with many struggling youth during my role as a Missouri Options Liaison, as well as a Community Service Liaison, providing outreach in the community. More recently, I received court mediator training, which provided new insight into conflict resolution procedures. Prior to counseling, I was an elementary teacher, working with students to help them achieve academic goals, while also facilitating emotional growth, and social awareness as well.

For over 20 years I have worked with students of all ages, as well as many parents and families. I specialize in helping one navigate the neurodivergent brain, anxiety and depression in adolescent youth, family counseling, couple’s counseling, emotional and social struggles, as well as adults working through childhood trauma.