Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Independence, MO

It’s exhausting when your own mind feels like a hurdle. Maybe you’re navigating intrusive thoughts that feel impossible to shut off, or you’re struggling to get things done and remember what’s important while your brain feels like it’s constantly misfiring. Perhaps you’re grieving a version of yourself that felt certain, watching the life you planned get derailed by chronic illness or the weight of a diagnosis you didn’t ask for. When your "to-do" list feels like a mountain and your past keeps creeping into your present, it’s easy to feel lost or, worse, dismissed by the people who are supposed to help.

Very empathic, resilient, welcoming and non judgmental.

You've probably spent a lot of time pushing through — carrying the anxiety, the grief, the stress, or the weight of things you haven't quite said out loud yet. Maybe you've wondered if what you're feeling is "bad enough" to bring to therapy, or whether anyone would really understand your specific situation. It is. And they will. I'm Jenna Miller, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker supporting individuals across diverse backgrounds — offering a space where you can finally feel heard, not just managed.

I’m a licensed therapist (LPC, LCPC) who works with individuals, couples, and families dealing with things like anxiety, relationship stress, ADHD, trauma, and big life transitions. I bring both clinical experience and real-life understanding into the room, including my own experience navigating complex family dynamics. My goal is to create a space where you can be real. We’ll work together in a way that feels grounded, honest, and actually helpful.

My name is Bradley Smith, and I’m a therapist who believes that meaningful change begins with feeling understood. I work with individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the everyday pressures that can make life feel overwhelming. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and heard without judgment.

I know that reaching out for therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure where to start. I approach each client with curiosity, empathy, and respect for their unique experiences. Everyone’s story is different, and I believe therapy should reflect that. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels comfortable while focusing on what matters most to you.

I have been practicing for 17 years, primarily seeing adults and senior citizens. I operate from a person-centered, emotionally-focused basis. You are the expert on your life, and my goal is to help you with that. I utilize experiential and psychodramatic techniques.. These methods allow for role plays and visualizations. Such techniques increase your ability to get more deeply in touch with your issues and see situations clearly. When you reenact what happens at home, in the safety of the therapy office, solutions become clear and your voice becomes strong.

Mareayna is a licensed therapist with 7 years of experience specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and stress management. With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Webster, she employs evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care, to empower clients on their healing journeys. Fostering a warm, supportive environment, helps individuals navigate their emotions and develop effective coping strategies for lasting well-being.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in both inpatient psychiatric settings and outpatient therapy. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Missouri State University, where I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based, client-centered care.

My background includes working with individuals across a range of needs, from acute crisis stabilization to ongoing therapeutic support. I have extensive experience helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, self-harm, anger, aggression, and oppositional defiant behaviors. I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which I frequently use to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building practical coping strategies.

I care about real connection, steady progress, and creating a space where you can show up as yourself. I’ve spent years helping people sort through heavy thoughts, navigate big life changes, and rebuild a sense of direction. I won't rush you or force you into a mold, I help you understand what matters to you and take the steps to move towards it. I'm happy to be the calm, steady guide who will walk alongside you.

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.