Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Missouri

Hi, I'm Joanie! If you're feeling weighed down by trauma, anxiety, or painful life experiences, you don't have to navigate them alone. Trauma can leave you feeling stuck in the past, constantly on edge, or wondering why certain emotions and reactions seem so difficult to control. My approach is warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. I work with adults to better understand how past experiences continue to shape their lives today while helping them build the insight, confidence, and tools needed to move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

I’m Debra Wren, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience helping adults navigate life’s challenges. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from Webster University, my Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies from Arkansas State University and I am licensed in Missouri and Georgia.

I believe some of our greatest growth comes through the experiences we never expected. As a wife, mother, and woman who has navigated my own seasons of change, I understand what it means to keep showing up for others while sometimes losing sight of yourself. That perspective allows me to bring compassion, authenticity, and real-life understanding into my work.

I help adults with anxiety, depression, relationship and family stress, life transitions, self-worth, and unhealthy patterns. I also help couples (private pay only) with communication, conflict, emotional disconnection, betrayal, attachment concerns, and blended-family challenges.

I provide in-person and virtual counseling in Missouri and virtual counseling throughout Georgia.

Could you benefit from having a realistic, relaxed therapist who can help you achieve your goals to live your life to the fullest? Nice to meet you! I am an LCSW in the state of Missouri and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

Are you looking for a therapist who understands your culture and speaks your language? I can help. I am fluent in Spanish, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor with 40 years of clinical experience. I work with adults, children, and adolescents, and I value each person’s cultural background, identity, and lived experience.

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 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.

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.

I'm passionate about helping women navigate the unique challenges they face. I understand the pressures of balancing multiple roles, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of self-care. I strive to create a non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly. During our initial sessions, I'll listen to and understand your story. I want to know what brings you here, your hopes, and your concerns. I'll explore your history, current challenges, and strengths. This comprehensive understanding helps me tailor my approach to your specific needs. Together, we'll establish realistic and achievable goals.

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.