LGBT therapists in Columbia, MO

You can be successful, capable, and still feel like your mind is working against you. Anxiety may have you replaying conversations for hours, ADHD can make everyday responsibilities feel unnecessarily difficult, or obsessive thoughts may leave you questioning things you know shouldn’t need this much attention. You might also be navigating your sexuality, feeling caught between who you are and what your family expects, or noticing depression pulling you away from relationships and things you once enjoyed. I work with adults, teens, couples, and families who want to understand why these patterns keep happening instead of simply learning to tolerate them. You deserve a space where your identity and experiences are understood without judgment. Together, we’ll work toward feeling more comfortable with yourself and more connected to the people who matter to you.

I get to know each client individually, so we can work collaboratively to come up with goals that we work toward at your pace, ebbing and flowing as your needs change. My clinical experience has included intensive in-home crisis stabilization therapy, complex trauma treatment, solution-focused brief therapy, and treatment of dual-diagnoses.

I moved to St. Louis, MO from Tampa, FL in 2019 to study Social Work at Washington University, and chose to make a home here with my spouse, child, and pets. I spend most of my leisure time cooking, gardening, reading, hiking, and going on crafting sprees. I also love to travel away from home, in search of grand museums and new foods.

Clients often describe me as approachable, practical, and easy to talk to. Therapy should be a collaborative process, and I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself without fear of judgment. My style balances support with practical problem-solving, helping clients gain insight while also developing strategies they can use in everyday life. Above all, I want you to feel heard, understood, and supported as we work toward your goals together.

As a graduate of Missouri State University’s Counseling program, I am a person-centered counselor. I believe that all those who seek therapy have a desire to bring themselves back into balance. Although I see individuals of all ages, I specialize in children between the ages of 3 and 10 addressing their needs using child-centered play therapy.

I am an empathetic, patient, and inclusive therapist with a passion for helping others that are going through difficult transitions in life and experiencing hardships. My foundation is based on establishing trust and providing a safe and accepting space for open communication to build a strong therapeutic alliance. I collaborate with clients to improve their emotional quality of life, develop their capacity to handle life’s stressors and mental health concerns. My counseling style is diversified, integrating person-centered, psychodynamic, emotionally focused, cognitive-behavioral, and existential therapy into counseling sessions.

I am passionate about helping adults of all ages struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, trauma/post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive behaviors. I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds, including neurodivergent and those who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hello, my name is Amanda Grippi. I am a licensed counselor in both Missouri and Illinois. I earned my Master's degree from Southern Illinois University with a focus in community psychology and I have been in practice for over 20 years. In addition to helping people with Anxiety and Depression, I have advanced training in neurodivergence including ADHD and Autism as well as trauma. I also have extensive experience working with members who identify as LGBTQ+.

I am drawn to matters of the heart, the deep questions we ask, how we find meaning, move through pain, and become more free. My own healing through relationships, therapy, spirituality, expressive arts, and body movement led me to become a therapist. I completed my MA in Couples and Family Therapy from Seattle University in 2019, opened my private practice in 2021, and have trained in Internal Family Systems Therapy for 6 years. I also bring experience as a yoga instructor, doula trainee, and spiritual seeker.