Find a therapist in Springfield, MO — covered by insurance

Everyone has the capacity for growth. Therapy offers a space to process life experiences with someone who will listen with empathy and support as you pursue a life that feels authentic and meaningful.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience in leadership and direct care positions in behavioral health and substance abuse facilities, I remain dedicated to helping individuals respond to and cope with the challenges of life. These include living with anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship issues, parenting, or other life's stressors, as well as, the challenges of alcohol or drug abuse disorders. I have frequently witnessed, and believe, recovery is possible and I appreciate the opportuity to assist you in finding the hope, joy and happiness you deserve.

I have been married for 41 years and am a mother and grandmother. I have have an MSW degree and have been in private practice as a therapist for 27 years. I prefer serving adults and have a passion for individual and couples counseling.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling with ADHD, managing stress at work or school, battling depression, or finding it difficult to control anger, you're not alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted, stuck, frustrated, or unsure how to move forward. Others are navigating relationship challenges, family stress, trauma, or major life transitions and want support creating healthier patterns, improving relationships, and building a more fulfilling life.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, I provide a warm, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment. My goal is to help you better understand what you're experiencing, build on your strengths, and develop practical tools that help you feel more confident, balanced, and in control of your life.

As a Missouri Ozarks native, nature and the outdoors have always played a huge part in my healing journey and mental health. Growing up, I was outside any chance I got; riding bikes, riding horses, climbing trees, bird watching, rock collecting, camping, hiking, floating, boating, spelunking, exploring creeks, and enjoying campfires. Nature immersion, movement in nature, outdoor recreation, and horsemanship remain part of my daily practice; and I incorporate these into my therapeutic work wherever possible.

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.

If you're dealing with anxiety that won't let up, a life change that's left you off-balance, or relationship tension that keeps getting in the way — I can help. After 10 years as a school social worker in St. Louis, I know what it looks like when people are overwhelmed, and what it actually takes to move through it. Today I work with adults navigating similar territory: the pressure that builds quietly, the transitions that feel harder than expected, the moments in relationships that leave you stuck. My focus is on making therapy practical, grounded, and worth your time.

First of all, I am NOT your typical psychotherapist.

I'm pretty casual. I wear jeans and the occasional t-shirt to the office. Makeup went out the window when Covid hit. I have a dry sense of humor and sarcasm is my second language.

I like to sprinkle "f*ck" into my everyday vocab like little bits of colorful confetti. Feel free to add to the fun.