LGBT therapists in Kansas City, MO

At an early age I spent hours listening to people talk about the transitions, traumas, and troubles in their life as I played just out of ear’s reach (or so they thought). These special moments ignited a passion for people and what happens when human beings start being human.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of South Carolina and Missouri, as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, AAMFT approved. I have loved working with individuals, couples, and families over the past 15 years of practice!

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience — and a rather unusual background. I also hold a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and have spent more than two decades as a researcher and professor studying the cultural dimensions of mental health. These two worlds are not as separate as they might sound: my scholarly work deeply informs how I listen and how I think about people, and my clinical work keeps my research honest and grounded in real human lives.

What this means in practice is that I pay attention not only to what's happening inside you, but also to the broader landscape that shapes you — your relationships, the institutions you've moved through, the expectations you've absorbed, the identities you inhabit or are still working out.

I specialize in eating disorders, mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety, trauma and PTSD, self-harm, dissociation, and personality disorders. I also have extensive experience with clients navigating identity and relationship questions — including LGBTQIA+ concerns, sexual issues, and alternative relationship structures such as polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. I am kink-affirming and fully inclusive in my practice.

Clients often come to me when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like previous therapy hasn't quite fit — especially deeply reflective people, high-functioning professionals, and anyone who feels "out of step" with conventional models of health or recovery. My goal is never to fit you into a predefined model of what "well" is supposed to look like. It's to help you better understand yourself and build a life that feels genuinely livable, on your own terms.

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.

You've been looking for a therapist who will get it. Who won't need you to explain, defend, or translate. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, or the particular weight of figuring out who you are in a world that doesn't always make that easy, you deserve a space where all of you is welcome. I'm an LCSW with 8 years in mental health and a proud member and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. I work with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, identity, and the everyday experience of just being your full self. My goal is to help you build toward where you actually want to be, at a pace that works for you.

I work primarily with adults experiencing substance use, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with 9 years of experience in private practice, inpatient substance use clinics, and community based mental health centers.

Hey there! I'm Jennifer, the therapist you want if you're looking to understand yourself in a greater and more profound way. Self-love and growth are my passions. I want to hear what you're going through and together finding a way toward experiencing the life you desire. I'll create the space where it's safe for you to just be yourself- without judgement!

I have a Master of Counseling Psychology from Avila University, and licensed in both MO & KS. Therapist since 2014.