Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Missouri

Welcome!

Thank you for considering me as your therapist. I am Brenda Melton, PhD, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in nursing. I hold several specialty certifications and have experience treating anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as working with individuals struggling with addiction, personality disorders, and the effects of trauma.

One of the most rewarding parts of therapy is experiencing those "aha" moments—when a realization, insight, or new understanding suddenly brings clarity to a complicated life experience. These moments often provide direction, open new possibilities for change, and inspire hope for healing and growth.

Hello, I’m Abby Pease, LCSW, QS! As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I bring warmth, energy, and a touch of humor into my work, helping clients navigate challenges while also reminding them that healing doesn’t always have to be heavy. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and clarity as you move toward growth and resilience.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I believe therapy should meet you where you are while also helping you move toward where you want to be. I often compare therapy to going to the gym: it is dedicated time to strengthen the way you understand and respond to your thoughts, emotions, relationships and behaviors.

My approach is warm, direct and collaborative. You can expect empathy, compassion and acceptance, along with thoughtful questions and practical strategies that help you make meaningful changes. Your needs, experiences and goals will guide our work together.

I support adults and adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addiction, relationship challenges and major life transitions. I also have experience working with concerns related to sexual orientation, identity, suicide prevention, family dynamics and professional stress.

You do not have to have everything figured out before beginning therapy. We can start with what is happening right now and work together from there.

I am a therapist and strategic behavioral‐health leader with more than a decade of experience supporting youth, families, and adults navigating complex trauma, transition, and systems involvement. My background spans emergency shelter work, foster‐care transition programs, community‐based counseling, and clinical supervision of multidisciplinary teams.

Clients often describe me as steady, collaborative, and deeply attuned to the stories people carry. I bring a trauma‐informed lens to every interaction, honoring the resilience people develop in the face of adversity. My work is shaped by years of program development, crisis intervention, and advocacy for underserved communities — and by a belief that healing grows in environments where people feel seen, safe, and respected.

If you're carrying the weight of depression, anxiety, or a past you haven't been able to fully

process, you don't have to figure it out alone. With more than five years as a Licensed Clinical

Social Worker, I work with adults and seniors who are ready to make sense of what they've been

through and start moving toward the life they want to build.

I have a particular passion for working with people navigating mood disorders like bipolar disorder,

trauma and PTSD, and the kind of emotional challenges men often face but rarely talk about. I also

work with couples who want to strengthen their connection before things fall apart.

I’m an affirming, open-minded therapist who works with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, panic, stress, relationship challenges, identity concerns, and major life changes. I also support clients dealing with maternal mental health concerns, including the emotional weight that can come with pregnancy, postpartum changes, infertility, and adjusting to a new season of life.

Since earning my master’s in 2021, I have worked in mental health with both children and adults in settings including crisis care, which has deepened my understanding of how overwhelming life can feel when symptoms start affecting your relationships, confidence, and daily routine. My goal is to offer a space that feels warm, approachable, compassionate, and real.

I believe mental health care should feel collaborative, compassionate, and free of judgment. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, understood, and supported throughout your treatment journey.

I specialize in women's mental health, including anxiety, depression, pregnancy (antepartum), postpartum mental health, life transitions, and the unique emotional challenges women experience across different stages of life. Whether you're preparing for motherhood, adjusting after delivery, balancing career and family, or navigating everyday stress, I strive to provide personalized, evidence-based care tailored to your goals.

My approach is warm, patient-centered, and collaborative. I take the time to understand your story, educate you about your treatment options, and develop a plan that aligns with your values and lifestyle. I believe the best outcomes happen when patients feel empowered to participate in their care and have a provider they can trust.

I believe therapy works best when it is grounded, compassionate, and practical. Many of the adults and couples I work with are high-achieving on the outside, but internally struggling with burnout, life transitions, or feeling disconnected in their relationships. My goal is to provide a non-judgmental, collaborative space where you feel truly heard and supported.

Professional Background & Education I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri with extensive experience supporting individuals and couples through complex life challenges. In addition to my clinical licensure, I am currently completing my Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Traumatology, with an expected graduation in 2028. My advanced doctoral training deeply informs my approach, allowing me to bring evidence-based, highly practical strategies into our work together.

Who I Serve & Specialty Areas I work exclusively with adults and couples (ages 18+), offering both flexible telehealth sessions across Missouri and in-person appointments in Moberly. My core areas of focus include:

• Adult Neurodivergence: Supporting adults navigating late-diagnosed Autism, ADHD, high-masking burnout, and executive dysfunction.
• Life & Relationship Transitions: Helping individuals and partners navigate divorce recovery, separation, co-parenting challenges, and blended family dynamics.
• Healing & Recovery: Providing trauma-informed care, support for individuals in recovery culture, and faith-informed Christian counseling.

Whether you are looking to unmask and understand your brain, rebuild connection in your relationship, or navigate a difficult major transition, I look forward to walking alongside you.

Hello and congratulations for taking the first and sometimes hardest step of looking for a therapist. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of IN, KY LA, MO, NV, TX, WA and WV. I have the great privilege of working with adolescents and adults seeking assistance in improving their overall mental health and associated challenges. I’ve been in the behavioral health arena for over 40 years and have held numerous direct care and clinical leadership roles in a variety of settings. My joy comes from helping people navigate life's challenges.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and concerns related to alcohol use. I especially enjoy working with clients who may appear capable and successful on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or disconnected from themselves.

My style is warm, conversational, nonjudgmental, and straightforward. I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being yourself rather than feeling like you have to say the “right” thing in session. My goal is to understand both what you are struggling with and who you are as a person so that therapy feels relevant to your life.