Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Saint Charles, MO

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.

Hello, I’m Abby Pease, LCSW, QS! As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I bring warmth, energy, and a touch of humor into my work, helping clients navigate challenges while also reminding them that healing doesn’t always have to be heavy. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and clarity as you move toward growth and resilience.

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.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a degree from Pfeiffer University. I have always been drawn to helping others and consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals as they navigate life’s challenges. My therapeutic approach is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. I am deeply committed to helping them grow, heal, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Michigan and Missouri with over a decade of experience specializing in mental healthcare and addiction counseling. Additionally, I proudly served 10 active-duty years in the world's greatest U.S. Navy, from where I bring valuable insights as an honorable veteran. In my capacity as a Sailor, I served as both the Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor and as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate. Aside from work, I enjoy time with my husband, our 4 wonderful children, and loving on our pug, Miss Pearl.My areas of expertise include assisting clients in managing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, loss, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, depression, perimenopause, and serious mental illnesses. I specialize in addiction treatment in both substances and pornography/sexual addiction. I believe deeply that you are the expert of your own story, possessing numerous strengths that will empower you to overcome life's challenges.Taking the initial step toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life requires courage. My role is to support you throughout this journey, providing tailored guidance aligned with your individual goals and needs. Together, we will build insights and strategies to enhance your overall sense of purpose and well-being.