I have over 16 years of combined therapy experience at the professional level and believe in the profession that I am licensed in which is social work. I believe in a client-centered perspective and derive my approaches from a variety of treatment modalities. Cognitive behavioral is a significant framework that I utilize but I believe that other approaches are also effective as sessions need to be tailored to the unique needs of the individual or clientele being served. I believe in true empathy, truly trying to understand my clients' perspectives and their insight into their lives. Each person I have done therapy with over the years and will be doing therapy with has inherent worth, dignity and I believe in their abilities to improve in areas of self-direction and self-efficacy. Therapy is all about the client who is reading this right now, the therapist is simply a conduit to improve a person's ability to reorganize their life, to improve their internal locus of control, to help a client engage in goal-oriented behavior and be conscientious of the choices one is making in life on a regular basis. Cognitive behavioral methods consider irrational thought paradigms and help to counteract these cognitions or thoughts with more rational, counterbalancing, self-esteem enhancing thoughts and help a person to see the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Hello, my name is Karen Kavaloski and I am a LPC in New Mexico, North Carolina and in Missouri. I was originally licensed as a counselor in 2009 while working in Arizona by the State of North Carolina after making a career change from a almost 30 year history in nursing. My passion since I was a young adult was counseling and it took me almost 30 years to achieve my goal of becoming a counselor. I was a Marine wife for almost 30 years and have traveled allot, I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. My youngest, a son, and one of my grandchildren are severely autistic so I can identify with the stress and struggles some families have with managing special needs within their family. I am also a cancer survivor. I believe we all have an ability to heal the body, mind and soul and I consciously strive daily to be an active participant in my life and support and encourage others to do the same. My education beyond my nursing and counseling includes a Masters in Business Administration and a Doctorate in (Christian) Ministries. I have worked primarily over this past 17 years with trauma and substance abuse in the adult population with about 3 years working with the teenage population in these areas. I also have worked about 5 years total with prison reentry and counseling individuals and families with histories of incarceration in state and federal prison. I believe in working with individuals and families to achieve their highest goals. I believe the client is the expert in his/her own life and I fully encourage one to strive to work towards building a strong foundation within themselves and their families whatever that looks like to them, to that end I use focused solution therapy, internal systems therapy, mindfulness/compassion therapy, cognitive and cognitive behavioral, dialectical therapy, emotional freedom techniques and/or neurolinguistic techniques . I am also the author and publisher self help books under my Sacred Self Workbook Series Outside my therapy practice, I spend my leisure time reading. meditation/praying and gardening. I do light exercise daily.

As a licensed therapist with over four decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional circumstances. My practice centers on helping clients heal from trauma, manage grief, build self-esteem, and develop healthier communication patterns through trauma-informed care and client-focused treatment. I bring a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to therapy, with deep expertise in addressing challenges like isolation, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress. My work is particularly focused on supporting young adults and individuals from diverse backgrounds through nuanced, personalized therapeutic interventions. Drawing from extensive clinical experience, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore difficult emotions, work through shame and guilt, and develop strategies for personal growth. My approach honors each person's unique journey, emphasizing understanding, healing, and empowerment. I am committed to providing affirming, thoughtful care that respects individual experiences and supports meaningful personal transformation.

About Me: Mary is a Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in the State of Missouri and Texas with over 12 years experience in working with clients from pre-K through late adulthood. Mary has worked in the school districts as a Counselor in Special Education and General Education, an insurance company, Veterans, substance abuse treatment center and a sexual offender treatment center. Mary has helped client’s with a wide range of concerns including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues and parenting problems. Assistance has also included working with clients experiencing emotional abuse, as well as separation issues related to adoption. Mary uses several types of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Client- Centered Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Mary brings exceptional listening skills, caring and most of all energetic personality. Mary is licensed in two states and is current on all required trainings. Mary also does presentations at various venues and provides training. Also experienced in assisting those with mental health issues related to COVID-19 and diagnosis, Codependency, Women’s and Teen Issues and Self Esteem. Mary has a very warm and caring demeanor and enjoys talking and listening to others. SPECIALTIES • Veterans • Stress, Anxiety • Trauma and Abuse • Parenting issues • Addictions • Family Conflict Clinical Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Client Centered Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I am licensed in Missouri with many years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Missouri with over 5 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. I have worked with clients of all ages and a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD, OCD, food and body image related challenges, motivation, self confidence, trauma, and family system disruptions. Additionally, I have supported and worked with many clients through difficult life transitions such as divorce, loss of a beloved family member or friend, and pet loss. 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. Too often, our mental health challenges hold us back from living the life we deserve. Difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions can push us around, run the show, and interfere with our ability to live a life that aligns with our values and goals. In addition to providing a supportive, caring space to process these challenges, I want to help you develop news skills and tools to navigate the many stressors and challenges that life can throw our way. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy takes a tremendous amount of courage. I look forward to supporting you on your journey towards a more fulfilling life!

I am licensed in Missouri with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. I also have experience working with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

I am licensed in Illinois and Missouri with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, depression, & 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. I specialize in Christian-based counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 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.

Hi, nice to meet you, my name is Lesley. I am a LCSW in Missouri with over a decade experience working as a direct practice social worker with transitional age youth starting as young as 16 years old and adults 18+. I have supported clients with stress and anxiety, career difficulties, interpersonal goals and challenges, and coping with life changes. In addition to individual sessions, I have experience facilitating DBT skills groups for young adults & adults along with DBT skills groups targeted for families and couples. I also completed the training to become a 200 hour Certified Yoga Teacher in 2016 and feel privileged to offer yoga as another tool to my clients during their therapy appointments. I also learned during my yoga journey this practice is truly for EVERYBODY. All you need to do yoga is your breath. Yoga allows us the opportunity to practice mindfulness and focus on being present in the moment with ourselves. Other interesting fact about me - First time dog mom since 2020 to Teddy, a rescue Shihtzu from our local animal rescue organization. Teddy influences our household to continue exploring ways we can live an intentional life and appreciate the here and now. When making a decision to work with a therapist, it is also important to know if your availability aligns with the therapist’s availability in order to benefit the most from therapy. Please know I have a full time profession outside of BetterHelp and here is an idea of what my availability may look like most weeks: I currently offer evening weekday appointments after 6:30 pm CT zone on certain Monday through Thursdays each week, select Saturday morning / daytime slots, and select Sunday evening times after 6:30 pm CT zone. My therapy sessions involve the use of techniques from mindfulness, MBCT, DBT, and ACT. My hope is to guide others to be the best version of themselves daily and recognize their passions that bring purpose to life. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I want to support my clients and colleagues in normalizing conversations about therapy and mental health. 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.

I am a licensed professional counselor with 22 years of professional work experience. I enjoy helping clients with a wide variety of life challenges including but not limited to: stress and anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship and parenting issues, motivation and self esteem. Life can certainly be difficult for all of us to navigate sometimes no matter what age we are and how far we have come, there is always room for further growth as we strive towards Self actualization. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Missouri with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 Missouri with multiple years of experience working in different fields of social work: from women’s health, to alternative sentencing to hospice. I also have connections to the special needs and lgbtq+ community. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & intimacy related issues. 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, time, and support to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I look forward to helping you find your path.

As a licensed therapist in Missouri, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients develop resilience, self-understanding, and healthy relationship dynamics. I have extensive experience addressing challenges related to stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and personal growth. My therapeutic work focuses on creating compassionate, collaborative spaces where individuals can explore their experiences with trauma, self-esteem concerns, and interpersonal dynamics. I'm particularly passionate about supporting clients through adoption, foster care experiences, communication difficulties, and healing from relational wounds. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I aim to empower clients to cultivate self-love, overcome commitment barriers, and develop stronger emotional skills. My practice is rooted in understanding each person's unique journey, offering personalized support that honors individual strengths and experiences. I approach therapy as a collaborative process, believing that every client has the innate capacity for healing and transformation. Together, we'll work to understand your challenges, build meaningful strategies, and support your path toward personal growth and emotional well-being.

I have worked with foster children and families in crisis for over 33 years. My counseling focus is on working with male teens and men of all ages address anger management, stress, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, grief, religious trauma, and other behavioral and relationship issues with specialized therapeutic approaches that can significantly impact individuals' lives, helping them to heal and grow. In a world that often demands us to mask our struggles, having a space where your feelings are validated, and your experiences are understood can be transformative. My approach is centered on building a trusting relationship where you can feel safe to explore your deepest concerns and aspirations. Together, we can work towards understanding the root of your emotions and behaviors, developing strategies to manage them, and paving the way for a future where you feel more in control, connected, and fulfilled. Your story matters, and I am here to listen, understand, and help you write the next chapter—one where you feel empowered and at peace. Together, we can explore the possibilities that lie ahead and take steps towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. We can't undo the past, but we can work together to get to a place where you can finish well.