Therapists serving clients in Valley Falls, KS

Feeling better IS possible, let's start today! I am here to help YOU do just that. We will focus on your TODAY and work towards a future that includes a happier you. I have been a clinical therapist, and working with people just like you, for 13 years. I received both my bachelors and masters degrees in Social work and since obtaining my clinical license in social work, it has been my goal to lessen the stigma “mental illness” carries by providing compassionate care to everyone in need. I've worked with children, adults, families, and couples. I look forward to getting to know you and being a support for you during your BetterHelp journey. Let's do this! Join me today.

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.

Hello and congratulations on taking this courageous and hopeful step toward wholeness. My name is Stephanie Risinger and I'm a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist. Don't let the title fool you! Most of my work is with individuals. Being a marriage and family therapist simply means I have a specialized understanding of how our personal struggles and mental health challenges can affect relationships. I have 13 years of clinical experience in working with a wide range of concerns and mental health challenges. Examples include (but not limited to) grief/loss, life changes, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, infertility, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and co-dependency. I received my Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University in 2009. In addition, I served as an adjunct professor of psychology for five years at California Baptist University and has been a featured speaker at numerous community events, organizational meetings, trainings, and retreats. I look forward to connecting with you.

I have provided behavioral health services to patients and families of all ages. I have worked in the social work field since 2000 and have worked in the mental health hospital setting as well as community mental health. I received my Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2000 from Fort Hays State University and then obtained my Master of Social Work degree in 2003 from Newman University in Wichita. I pride myself on providing quality care to my patients and has collaborated successfully with other community organizations throughout her career. I am licensed to provide Drug and Alcohol services and specializes in working with adolescents and families.

I am licensed in Kansas with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. 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 hold a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have served a diverse population within the mental health community for 15 years. I specialize in working with persons struggling with PTSD,  Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Women’s issues, Veterans, First Responders, Domestic Violence and Personality Disorders. I use a client centered, holistic, non-judgmental treatment modality. I approach each individual collaboratively using active listening, treatment planning, and allow each person to gain insight into their lives, encouraging them to implement the treatment goals into their lives and well beyond Therapy sessions. I develop a therapeutic rapport allowing each individual to feel at ease. I teach mindfulness skills, forgiveness and letting go of past trauma. I work together as a team with my client to address shifting negative thought processes to positive, which provides a strong outcome towards healing. I will tailor my approach to address what is presently happening in your life, and give solutions to assist you to make positive changes. I look forward to meeting you!

I am a licensed professional counselor in Missouri with over 12 years of experience working as a therapist and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, autism, learning disabilities, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, dialectic behavior therapy, EMDR, and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

I am glad you have reached out for help. I am Sherrill Robinson, a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas. You can read more about my background, education, experience, and therapy approach by clicking on my name on this page. Please also feel free to ask questions. Online counseling is fairly new, and I've found it to be really effective for many issues. I hope it will be helpful for you and your concerns that you mentioned in your message. My counseling style is pretty laid back. I have been described as supportive, caring, and compassionate, with a pretty good sense of humor. I like to focus on identifying your strengths and helping you to maximize them to overcome your obstacles. I'm here to help you sort through the things that are difficult right now, and offer you a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment. You have taken the first and most important step by reaching out for help. I'm sorry you are having a tough time right now, but I'm really glad you are reaching out. I'd like to help you work on the struggles you are facing and offer you a safe place to explore your thoughts and feelings. I can understand that some issues feel very private. My schedule is posted online. Please select a time for our first session. Should you feel in need of urgent help or that you are in crisis at any time during our work together; please call 1-800-273-TALK 24 hours a day or 911. This forum does not provide any type of emergency services, so I want to be sure you know who to contact if you need immediate help. You are not alone. Things can and will get better. I'm really looking forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Texas with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Kansas with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & 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!