Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Saint Louis, MO covered by United Healthcare

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.

My name is Vanessa Cox. I'm the Founder and CEO of Extensive Prevention Intervention Counseling Services (EPICS) LLC, a professional counseling practice, and the Founder and Board Secretary of EPICS J. R. Foundation. The driving force behind my lifework has been a personal mission to live with integrity and make a difference in the lives of others. With over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience,

I am one of the most open-minded, non-judgmental people you will ever work with. I am curious about you, your life, and what brought you to therapy. I have worked with a wide range of clients from adults in custody with substance use disorders to vulnerable populations with serious mental illness. I have worked with adult clients all over the world amassing a wealth of knowledge. I am also addicted to learning and continually train on techniques that will help my clients.

I am curious and validating, providing a nurturing environment to talk openly and honestly about your struggles, strengths, weaknesses, needs, likes, and dislikes. I love helping people explore their unique and particular powers as well as how these powers impact their world and their relationships. As a passionate supporter of those who have been through unjust or otherwise traumatic experiences--including those experiencing discrimination based upon race or gender identity or sexual orientation--I am particularly interested in helping people gain skills for dealing with, and making sense of, the remnants of their pasts.

Having completed Bessel Van der Kolk's Trauma Research Foundation's Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies in early 2025, I have a strong foundational understanding of the most cutting edge approaches to treating trauma. I am also comfortable using a combination of approaches, including Psychodynamic, Gestalt, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I received an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, a psychodynamically focused program, after which I completed Bryn Mawr's certificate program in psychodynamic psychotherapy. I have also completed 1 year of Gestalt Therapy training and the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Immersion Program.

As an LCSW, my training emphasized the role of social environment--from the family to society at large--in how we construct our narratives, enabling me to help you make sense of what in your life is yours to own and what is a product of your environment.

Your mind may be tired, and you don’t know if you can take one more hit. We’re here to make it easier for you because, in our search for wellness, we found the answer: Comprehensive care plans tailored just for you. Let us help bring clarity back into focus so that your path towards recovery is crystal clear! We give you the tools you need to maximize the benefits, including: Your mental and physical health will improve. You’ll feel more confident in your day-to-day life.

I am from a rural area in Ohio. I have a master's degree in social work with primary focus on trauma, LGBTQ+, and individual and couples therapy (couples therapy is private pay only, effective 08/25/2026). I have lived experience as a survivor of trauma and as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I have worked in the field of social work for over 27 years, primarily regarding trauma. I have worked with children, adults, seniors, couples, and families.