ADHD therapists and psychiatrists in Columbia, MO

It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help! Showing up that first time may be the hardest part of the journey. Being someone who has sat in that chair, I have a good idea how you are feeling. Being someone who has done her own personal work of therapy and helped hundreds of others with theirs, I also know how much better life can be! The emotional wounds may be heavy and the burden of experiences may seem like there is nothing that can be done to make it better. Medication may help, but the feelings can make living feel like swimming with a shot put ball. As a therapist, I strive to come alongside those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and bereavement to provide support and understanding, education and encouragement. I have worked with clients from age 5 to 103, and what I have found to be most important is the connection (or the “fit”) of the therapist and client. You need a therapist you can bring your authentic self to. You are hiring me to do a job, to help you think, feel, and behave better. You will be best served if we have a good connection. I want that for you, even if it is not me, so never be afraid to interview a few therapists before deciding! After all, if it is me, I will be in your corner and I will challenge you, at the same time. You want to know you chose wisely for yourself.

I want to make sure I'm a good fit for what my client is looking for and that we're going to be able to work well together. I prioritize comfort in a first session.

Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

Hi. I'm glad you found me!

I have been in the social work field for 30 years working with children and families. I have a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. I've been a social worker since 1995 and a licensed therapist since 2011. I believe it's important to have a safe and comfortable place to process how you are feeling.

My name is Teerah, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma work with adolescents, teens, and young adults. I have worked with clients of all ages and believe therapy should feel like a safe space where you can finally stop filtering yourself. I’m very down to earth, easy to talk to, and genuinely believe nothing is “too much” to bring into session. Whether you are dealing with trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, or just feeling emotionally stuck, my goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and a little less alone in it all.

Katie Gerwel has spent over a decade supporting children and their mental health needs in the school setting. Katie is a person-centered therapist who meets the needs of the child and family to help them grow and thrive. She has experience and training in cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-focused techniques.

Hello, and welcome! I'm Amy Haas, a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, families, and veterans navigate anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and behavioral concerns.

Throughout my career, I've worked with people from many different walks of life, from youth involved in the juvenile justice system to formally incarcerated adults rebuilding their lives, as well as children and families in schools, intensive in-home programs, and community mental health. Those experiences reinforced something I believe deeply: people are far more than the hardest thing they've been through or the labels they've been given.

I believe meaningful therapy starts with authenticity, trust, and genuine connection. My goal as a therapist is to help you feel understood, build on your strengths, and create lasting positive change.

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 want to join you in building a world full of connected, alive, brave people. With over 10 years experience as a therapist, and a constant curiosity about the world, I can support you in a way that honors your worldview, provides grounded support, and clears a path for unshakable healing. I will diligently advocate for open connection with the vital parts of yourself. I am here to help you feel fully connected.