I am a Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Missouri with over 20years of experience working as a therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including addiction/substance abuse, depression, stress management, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, and life transitions. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. The central idea in my approach is that people are not “broken”. Everyone makes the best choices they can, based on their experiences and life situation. However, over time those choices and the resulting coping mechanisms may hold you back from growing and reaching your goals. I am here to help clients reach the goals they set for themselves. My job is to help clients identify new choices that match their values. Together we will work to create movement in your life towards your stated values and goals. My theoretical approach is eclectic. I am most strongly influenced by the work of Carl Rogers and his Person-Centered approach to therapy. I use a lot of mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Since I do not adhere to a single theoretical approach, I use a variety of techniques that I think will benefit individual clients. I do not have a “one size fits all” mentality when it comes to counseling. If you are interested in addressing career issues, I can administer career assessments including the MBTI, Skill Scan, and the Self-Directed Search. It takes courage to take the first steps towards a 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 have a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Accredited Triple P Provider, Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider, EMDR trained therapist and Theraplay trained therapist. I am also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families. My experience includes working with families in crisis, working with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioral disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, traumatic stress disorders, and chronic and terminal medical conditions. I provide a variety of therapeutic options, such as sandtray therapy, play therapy, and mindfulness-based services, family-focused therapy, and teletherapy. I have several years post graduate experience work counseling children and adults, as well as 15 years of experience working specifically within the autistic community. I have served as a case manager, resource coordinator, and client advocate for children and parents. I currently offer therapeutic and educational services at my clinic in Springfield, Missouri and online. I am well aware of the conflicts that can occur when trying to work therapy and other appointments in around a busy work/school/family schedule. I am committed to providing therapeutic services during evening and weekend hours to help clients avoid as many unnecessary conflicts to gaining mental health care access as possible.

I am an individual and family counselor licensed in the state of Missouri. I have over 15 years of experience as a clinical therapist in both inpatient and outpatient settings along with treating both adolescents and adults. Over the years I have worked with individuals, both adolescents and adults, with a wide variety of struggles including depression, anxiety, behavior modification, relationship issues, and anger management just to name a few. My counseling style is welcoming and adaptive. I strive to treat individuals with respect, compassion, and a holistic approach without judgment or bias. I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but will always remain committed to telling you what you need to hear. I will always work to have our communication and treatment expectations adapt to you as an individual and your specific needs. It is never the easiest thing to take the first step towards change and humbling ourselves. With that in mind, I am here to help be a guide, coach, teacher, cheerleader, and a library of tools to help you tackle whatever life may throw at you. I look forward to working with you.

My name is Walter Barron LCSW, and I have worked with many different client issues, stress management, ptsd, depression, anxiety, grief, major SMI diagnosis and marital/family relationship problems. I have been in the mental health field for 35 years, and my counseling experiences have included inpatient/outpatient, military employment for 11 years, veterans administration outpatient community services, and as a private contractor. My therapeutic approach is best described as client centered therapy with a warm non directive systems approach, having an emphasis on family individual dynamics. In addition I used the cognitive behavioral approach with the underpinning being the models of Dr. Beck, and Dr. Ellis. however; I do not impose any treatment modality on a client until there is a thorough assessment and a client therapist relationship with the client indicating what change they desire. I respect client self determination, and realize that entering into therapy is a big step. I hope you will find therapy rewarding, and I look forward to working with you.

My approach to counseling is often didactic and is solution oriented. It is my opinion that clients come to counseling because they can not figure out what to do. So “teaching counseling” offers them new skills to use in their situation, as well as ideas to assist in coping in their world. I am somewhat eclectic in my approaches, realizing that everyone is unique, and one size does NOT fit all. I find a Cognitive Behavioral approach often encourages clients to set their own solution-focused path. I give feedback and assign homework tasks. I ask clients to join me in making a sort of treatment plan, and we work together on problem-solving. I periodically consult with trusted professional colleagues on a confidential bases, who practice outside of our local area. It is not my style to see what others have reported about their own work. I march to my own drummer and do what I believe is right in each situation. It’s fine with me if I am the only one doing it the way I do it.

My belief and approach to therapy begins with the idea that humans are generally self- correcting. This follows the teaching of both Carl Jung and Milton Erickson. We can get stuck for a variety of reasons and if able to get past that point, it can lead to us moving in a healthier direction. I believe that our value systems are extremely important to finding direction and solutions. I have studied comparative religions and cultures to be able to understand and work with a wide variety of people. I have worked in many different settings with a wide range of cultures and values. Currently my greatest strength is in working with individuals and couples. I started my career by creating and running an outpatient clinic as part of a runaway and homeless youth shelter. I did this for my first 18 years. We provided case management, individual and family therapy to youth and their families. We did this both in the shelter and in the community. My personal approach includes brief family therapy, problem solving therapy, structural and strategic systems theory, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral, communication theory and addiction therapies. I trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students. I worked in conjunction with a local university to conduct research which enabled us to improve our working therapy model and process. During this time, I completed 29 hours towards a PH. D in family therapy. I was offered a fellowship with Washington University's Ph. D program. I worked part time for New Life Christian Counseling, an outpatient therapy group, providing professional Christian therapy. I then worked 18 years for managed care helping members utilize their mental health benefits, providing phone therapy and crisis intervention. My other experiences were in outpatient office settings.

As a licensed therapist with extensive experience serving individuals across Missouri, I specialize in supporting clients through complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, stress, family conflicts, and grief. I offer a compassionate, nuanced approach that helps individuals navigate difficult personal experiences, including issues related to guilt, shame, trauma, and interpersonal dynamics. My therapeutic style is adaptable and respectful, recognizing that each person's journey is unique. Whether working with clients seeking faith-based perspectives or those preferring a more secular approach, I strive to create a supportive environment that honors individual beliefs and experiences. I have deep expertise in helping people work through mood disorders, relationship challenges, and personal growth obstacles. I am committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based guidance that empowers clients to understand themselves more deeply and develop meaningful strategies for emotional wellness and personal transformation.

I began my addictions counseling career six years after entering recovery from alcohol/drug use, on 5/13/1982. My original counseling schooling was in Rational Emotive Therapy, which evolved into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and led to my schooling in Narrative Therapy and Transactional Analysis. Most recently, I have become interested in Miller & Rollnick's Motivational Interviewing, Prochaska & Diclemente's Stages of Change model of behavior change, Berg & Miller's Solution-Focused Therapy, Marlatt & Donovan's relapse prevention strategies and techniques, ACT therapy, and Internal Family Systems therapy. My most recent Certification is in Robin Shapiro's Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing-EMDR-, through the EMDRIA International Institute in November of 2021. As a Therapist, I necessarily became conversant in telehealth methodology during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. I approach counseling holistically: I understand individuals as "whole cloth", i.e., as the current product(s) of their total life experiences. I also firmly believe in all-ways maintaining a positively enthusiastic outlook on life and living!

I am licensed in Missouri with 34 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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.

As a licensed therapist with two decades of experience in Missouri, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions and interpersonal challenges. My practice focuses on helping clients address relationship dynamics, family conflicts, communication barriers, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate and direct approach to therapy, particularly supporting older adults, veterans, young professionals, and individuals experiencing midlife transitions. My expertise centers on addressing social anxiety, workplace stress, self-esteem challenges, and emotional healing through meaningful therapeutic connections. My therapeutic style emphasizes understanding individual experiences, exploring life purpose, and developing practical strategies for overcoming isolation, guilt, and personal barriers. I am committed to creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, build resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal transformation.

I am licensed in Missouri with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming circumstances that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for counseling can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a decade of experience supporting individuals through trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. My work integrates evidence-based modalities—especially Dialectical Behavior Therapy—with a holistic, trauma-informed perspective that honors the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of healing. Alongside traditional therapeutic approaches, I incorporate gentle mind-body practices such as sound therapy techniques and individualized suggestions for supportive herbal remedies when appropriate. Clients describe my style as grounded, direct, and deeply compassionate, with a focus on emotional regulation, clarity, and long-term resilience. I am especially passionate about serving military-connected individuals, trauma survivors, and those ready to break long-standing patterns and reconnect with their authentic self.