Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Columbia, MO

To Thine Own Self Be True! Your emotional well being is a vital part of being productive and living a well balanced life. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a life long passion for helping others. I have provided services to youth and adults for over 30 years and I specialize in anger management, depression, family and intimate relationship issues, anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health, and behavior modification.

Congratulations on beginning this journey, you're exactly where you need to be. I'm Ada Petty, LPC, dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion and understanding. I hold a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Webster University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. With over 8 years of experience, I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment related challenges.

I am a counselor that will meet you where you are and challenge you to get to where you want to be, by being warm, understanding, and compassionate. I view trauma as a whole body experience and work with you at your pace. I have more than 10 years of experience working with those who have experienced trauma both as an advocate and therapist.

Great to meet you!

I offer a wide range of therapeutic services, including individual therapy for adolescents, and adults. I specialize in creating a supportive environment where clients can explore personal challenges, improve communication, and work toward healthier relationships. My experience extends to school counseling, working with high school students to foster emotional resilience, addressing academic stress, and promoting mental well-being. I facilitate group sessions, providing participants with a collaborative space to connect with peers and developing coping strategies for navigating life’s challenges.

Brittany is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master of social work degree from Walden University. With over seven years of experience in the field of social work, she brings a wide-ranging background that includes working with the Children’s Division, in hospital settings, with geriatrics, and school-based social work. This diverse experience has given her a deep understanding of individuals across the lifespan and the unique challenges they face. Helping others through therapy is more than just a career, it’s a calling. Brittany believes deeply in the power of trauma-informed care and support, and the healing that comes from having a safe, judgment-free space to process and grow. She also believes in the importance of identifying the root cause of symptoms, rather than just managing surface-level issues.

I work primarily with adults experiencing substance use, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with 9 years of experience in private practice, inpatient substance use clinics, and community based mental health centers.

My commitment to you is simple: I will listen carefully, communicate openly, and act with integrity in every interaction. I’ll take the time to understand your unique goals, challenges, and values, and I’ll tailor my approach to meet your needs rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions. You can expect transparency from me at every step. I’ll explain not only what I recommend, but why I recommend it, so you always feel informed and empowered to make decisions.

If you've spent much of your life feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, different, or exhausted from trying to fit into expectations that don't feel right for you, therapy can offer a space to better understand yourself and build a life that works for who you truly are. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, OCD, trauma responses, burnout, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm. Others are navigating ADHD, identity exploration, chronic illness, LGBTQIA+ experiences, relationship challenges, or life transitions and are looking for a place where they can show up authentically without judgment.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I work with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds, with a special focus on neurodivergent individuals, LGBTQIA+ clients, and those navigating trauma, chronic health concerns, and identity-related challenges. My goal is to help you better understand your experiences, build on your strengths, develop effective coping tools, and create a life that feels more aligned with your values, needs, and sense of self.

At an early age I spent hours listening to people talk about the transitions, traumas, and troubles in their life as I played just out of ear’s reach (or so they thought). These special moments ignited a passion for people and what happens when human beings start being human.