Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Kansas City, MO covered by Cigna

I am a counselor that will meet you where you are and challenge you to get to where you want to be, by being warm, understanding, and compassionate. I view trauma as a whole body experience and work with you at your pace. I have more than 10 years of experience working with those who have experienced trauma both as an advocate and therapist.

Arti earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Missouri at Rolla and his master’s in counseling from Webster University. Arti became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2014. Arti has been working within the child welfare world for 24 years and has been part of almost every aspect of the system from preventative services to residential services to investigation of child abuse and neglect. Arti specializes in childhood trauma, trauma of all kinds, and family relationships.

As a nationally certified, Licensed Professional Counselor who has been practicing for over 16 years in Missouri and 26 years overall in the field of mental health, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. My goal is to provide you with a safe place to feel seen and heard.

I’m a licensed therapist with a background in Marriage and Family Therapy. I work with individuals, couples and families who are navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, or just feeling stuck. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and grounded in research—I’m here to help you make sense of what you’re going through and find a path forward. Whether you're facing a tough transition or looking to strengthen your emotional well-being, we’ll work together to create meaningful change.

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.