Therapists serving clients in Halstead, KS

Welcome. My name is Molly Traffas. I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is committed to tracking the nuggets of an individual’s core strengths of self and deepest values that have shown themselves over one’s lifetime. I am committed to being a companion in restoring balance to disturbed landscapes of hearts and minds. My work has included extensive experience working with trauma, attachment, and recovering internal resources. That training also has included working with individuals in claiming their deeper strengths and dreams through work in the wilderness. As I have wandered in wilderness areas, I have deepened my understanding and passion for how all life moves toward balance and wholeness, toward life itself. My focus continues to shift from pathology toward what gives life, what calls life forward, what opens and sustains each of us. I carry in my satchel of skills a connection to the earth along with my own wisdom and experience, which encompasses an understanding of the impact of trauma and neglect and the ability to aid individuals in calming and soothing those places in themselves enough to move forward into connecting with inner resources and outer landscapes. I am a lover of poetry, with deep value and aliveness found in speaking poetry. My own immersion into poetry has been one of my own personal tools for self discovery and awareness. For those who have an interest or an affinity with poetry, it is one of a variety of ways in which I am able to join with another and aid them in going deeper into their own story and life. Poetry, as well as work with dreams, can be a vehicle and a portal, for some, to gain personal understanding and insight. Poetry and/or dreamwork can be particularly helpful in working with stuck places in an individual’s life. Prior to my degree in social work, I was a Montessori guide working with young children ages 3 to 6 in a classroom setting. After 10 years, it was time for a career change. I returned to school for a social work degree, as well as, studying addiction counseling. I worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, as well as with individuals and families living in homeless shelters. This work led me to recognizing the depth of needs of these populations. I returned to school for my. post graduate clinical training at Washburn University. Following graduate school, I worked with inmates who had high recidivist rates, histories of addictions, and most often histories of childhood abuse. Following that experience of working with the inmate population, I worked at a local community mental health center until in 2004, when I began a private practice. Because of the persistent exposure I had working with individuals who had histories of significant trauma, I developed a strong desire for deeper understanding of: the impact of trauma on the daily functioning of individuals and of the physiological impact of trauma on the body and on the brain. I pursued substantial exploration and training in effective treatment modalities for trauma. Congruent and interwoven into the understanding of the impact of the trauma itself is the understanding of the impact of early childhood experiences on an adult’s view of self, other, and world, not to mention, the impact on the individual’s manner of functioning in the world. In addition to studying the impact of trauma and abuse, I also sought insight into the impact of early neglect on an individual’s view of self and world and on their daily functioning. Therefore, much of my work with individuals has been to assist in heightening awareness and acceptance of each individual’s own strengths, gifts, and values. In addition, my work with an individual has also focused on strengthening their ability to consistently make life choices that honor their own value system and their ability to pursue their own gifts and talents. Those skills, values, and insights still underlay and support my work in guiding others toward their deeper callings. Since one frequently experienced consequence of trauma or neglect is difficulty with relationships, I became fascinated by the dynamics of relationships (such as, the relationship to self, the relationship to others, the relationship to the external world), as well as difficulties in how to verbalize and communicate effectively without aggression or threat to self or other. This hunger for deeper insight, for healing, for tools or skills to offer, ultimately, led me to the study of Compassionate Communication, the Right Use of Power and the Power Spiral (the work of Cedar Barstow), and ultimately to the Animas Valley Institute and Soulcraft. My involvement with my community has been varied. When initially entering into my private practice, I offered free public presentations on the impact of abuse and neglect in early childhood on attachment styles, and upon that individual’s current functioning as an adult. I volunteered for 5 years with a local company on a committee to review requests submitted to the employee benefit program for financial assistance to employees in unexpected financial hardships. I offered a free series of groups on power, boundaries, shame, and personal power for women survivors of domestic violence. I was a member of the Sedgwick County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition for 10 years. I served for two years on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center. For 3 years, I facilitated and co-facilitated multiple free will offering study groups on Compassionate Communication. I offered free book study groups. I hosted, for approximately 2 years, a local practice group for Compassionate Communication. I offered local poetry concerts and other ceremonial practices at events calling for ceremony and deep honoring. I have offered daylong or 2 day retreat gatherings for deepening connections with oneself and the earth. Since I have retired, I have offered 5 poetry concerts as fund raisers for refugees.

Thoughtfulness and respect toward you are key elements that begin a successful therapeutic relationship. My job is to provide you a safe space for you to discuss, even think out loud whatever is bothering you. There are a lot of taboos that we get the message not to talk about; rather here is your private no judgment zone. Let's discuss it all so that together we can develop solutions that lead to you feeling better, thinking clearer, and doing more of what adds contentment to your daily life. My approach is to assist you to come to terms with a setback, figure out a challenge, or calm your emotional distress. My twenty-five years of extensive clinical expertise and experience have proven beneficial to thousands of individuals, couples, and families. I maintain full Independent Clinical Licenses in Ks. & MO; and Board Certified. In addition, I have completed two years. Post-Graduate Internships in Couples & Family Therapies by earning a Clinical Specialty from Menningers' Psychiatric Foundation. And then I dedicated two additional clinical training years earning a Specialty in Group Dynamics. I use a wide range of techniques, tools, and clinical approaches to address a variety of personal concerns because no two issues and no two people are the same. Let's find what will best work to help you help yourself with life's challenges. It takes courage to seek assistance to gain a more fulfilling and happier life than you are experiencing presently. Take that first step towards making a healthy change. I will back you up, be your private sounding board, and support to empower you.

It's an honor to be considered as a partner in your quest to feel better. Reaching out for help is not easy, but I know first hand how much courage it takes and the benefit from professional therapy when you find a good fit. I am a licensed clinical social worker in Missouri (LCSW) and in Kansas (LSCSW) and have provided therapy services for 16 years to individuals, couples, and families with a client-centered approach. I listen first before jumping in with any suggestions. You are the expert on you and your situation and I offer options from which you can choose. I also believe if you are not getting what you need in therapy, you have a right and obligation to let me know so we can find a solution that works for you. If you need something that I cannot provide, a referral will be made to someone with that particular training. I believe in short-term therapy to reach the goals you are looking to achieve. My expertise includes working with those struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, marital conflict, mid-life crises, aging, grief and loss, parenting issues, and faith-based issues. I provide a non-judgmental approach and encourage self-esteem and improved communication to have the life we all need and deserve. Thank you again for considering me as a possible source of help.

Hello, I'm Liz! I'm a licensed LSCSW in Kansas City with 10 years of professional experience. I graduated from K-State with my Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 2013 and my Masters from KU in Clinical Social Work in 2016. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and body image, trauma and abuse, domestic violence, relationships, boundaries, improving communication and everyday stressors. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities to best meet your needs and go at your own pace. I'm a strong believer in the client having autonomy while in therapy; we will always start with your goals and I will meet you where you're at. I am here to be a support in whatever your journey may be. A little bit about myself: My favorite self care activity is spending time with my cat and taking mindful walks. My favorite calming scents are patchouli and lavender. And my favorite relaxing place is Dream Lake in the Rocky Mountains. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy is a big one, so congratulations! I would love to work with you if you feel I'd be a good fit. Even if you just want to meet to see if we click- finding the right therapist is really important. Welcome to Better Help and I hope to talk to you soon. Modalities I use are CBT, EMDR, SFBT, TF-CBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, and Family Systems

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor in Kansas with 20 years of professional work experience. I enjoy helping clients with broad range of mental health issues, including but not limited to relationship issues, intimacy related issues, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, Depression, Anxiety & Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder in both acute and outpatient settings. Having spent the last 7 years in professional leadership roles, I have firsthand experience in managing the unique challenges that come with managing and supervising others and a particular interest in helping clients develop their abilities while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I am also a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Kansas with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I believe you have the power within yourself to change. Together we will tap into your strength, courage, and insight to achieve your goals. I have over 15 years of clinical experience and I often work with busy professionals and college students-or anyone suffering from trauma, relationship issues, low self-esteem, depression, stress, and anxiety. I am trained in EMDR and use it frequently along with traditional talk therapy. I am non-judgmental and professional, although when appropriate, I've been known to crack a joke because sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

Hello! My name is Autumn Schowalter. I live in Wichita, Kansas and grew up about 30 minutes away from here on a farm. I have 2 kids; one is in college and the other is in middle school. They are my pride and joy along with my 2 dogs and cat that run our house. I have a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and I've been a licensed provider in Kansas for over 25 years. My professional work experience in the mental health field has included doing therapy, psychological evaluations, assisting my peers with consultation, and providing supervision to mental health workers and their respective supervisors so they can effectively work with their clientele. My experience includes helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, career difficulties, and depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy takes courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Colorado with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Kansas with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.