Therapists serving clients in Ogden, 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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Kansas with over 6 years of experiences as working as a therapist. I graduated with my Social work degree in 2017 from the University of Kansas. I have worked with clients from a range of concerns including; anxiety, depression, suicide, self harm, self-esteem issues, truancy, family dynamics, family therapy, domestic violence and post traumatic stress disorder. I have primarily worked as a therapist in the child welfare field for the last 6 years with the emphasis of keeping families together by providing family based therapy and individual therapy. I have also previously worked for the National Suicide Hotline and have been able to utilizing crisis counseling skills. Currently, my full time work includes supervising therapists providing services to families that are in the foster care system. My counseling style is client focused; you know yourself best! I also employ the style of being empathetic but will be direct and transparent. I firmly believe in treating all my clients with the dignity and respect they deserve. I have great energy and enjoy giving positive feedback. I combine multiple evidence based practices depending on your needs and goals. My goal is to be able to establish a positive therapeutic relationship as I believe a great therapy relationship helps the client best. Through this platform, you can message me at any time and I work to respond as quickly as possible. I truly look forward to working with you!

John earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friend’s University in 2005. He enjoys working with all couples, families and individuals including those in the military. John has worked with military families across the country and in Europe to provide counseling as they navigate the unique challenges that come with serving in the armed forces. This experience has informed John’s approach to therapy that includes providing a warm, empathetic approach to help clients clarify and find solutions to problems that are difficult to overcome. John has extensive experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Structural Strategic Therapy. He also has consulted with organizations that provide therapy to children and families engaged with the foster care system.

Hello! My name is Melissa Winston, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Missouri. With a Bachelor's Degree in education and many years of work with teens and families in the non-profit sector, I found myself feeling compelled to help more but not having the tools to do so. I went back to school to get my degree as a Marriage & Family Therapist from Capella University and have been working in various treatment settings for the past 10 years. The last five years have been specifically in residential work with adolescents and their families. I have a combined total of 22 years of experience working with teens and families. I specialize in work with complex family systems that have experienced trauma - adolescents, individuals, couples, and families - learning to unravel that trauma and re-engage in healthy relationships with one another. Using a mix of systems theories, I work to meet clients where they are to help them find their own solutions to the problems they are facing. Therapy should be a safe space to process and be honest about whatever you're thinking and feeling without judgement. Once we feel heard and seen, then we have the courage to go towards the healing we long for in our lives. I believe that all people have the capacity to change and that as we each work toward our own individual wholeness, we can then have deeper, more meaningful relationships. I am trained in trauma-informed care and primarily use Narrative, CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused modalities in the counseling room. I believe there is hope for even the most broken and painful relationship - if the individuals are willing to do the work on themselves. I am extremely passionate about people and will work as hard as you will to help you get where you want to go. Outside of therapy, I love to decorate, to hang out with my husband and two teenage sons, and to spend time with my community. I also have two dogs (a sweet old Pit/Lab mix, Piper, and a one year old Havanese fluff-ball) who keep us all running. I am also passionate about organizational leadership and community development.

I am licensed in Kansas with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, anger management, & 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.

I am Gigi, a licensed in California and Kansas with 14 years of professional work experience. My focus helping clients with work, professional development, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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 seek a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Kansas with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & coping with grief and loss. I also have experience working with 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Kansas with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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 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 California, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Missouri with 13 years of professional work experience as a licensed therapist though I have been in the social service field for over 25 years. 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. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.