For most of us, some days feel like there's a storm looming ahead, while other days clear sun and great puffy clouds are in the forecast. For Pleasant Hill, home of the National Weather Service Kansas, getting the forecast right is serious business.
If you're having more stormy days than sunny ones, however, your internal forecast may be off kilter. Please don't hesitate to reach out to a Pleasant Hill-area mental health professional to get the support you need so that your mental forecast can be once again filled with far more warm pleasant days than dark and stormy ones.
Rhonda Piazza
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!
Deedra Ivie
Hi, I’m Deedra Ivie. My goal is to help you find the strength that is already inside of you and bring that to light. Each client is different and has needs unique to their upbringing and life circumstances. I enjoy learning about your past circumstances, ways of thinking and current situation to find the best way to move forward to achieve progress and find peace. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with most clients suffering from depression and anxiety. I work with you to identify the exact feelings you are experiencing. Then we work on identifying the thought behind the feeling. After we find the exact issue prompting your emotions, we work to change the thoughts. We discuss coping skills to help you find relief in the midst of your intense emotions. If you are experiencing more extreme emotions I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy. For DBT, I walk you through the different stages of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Distress tolerance and mindfulness are both a good place to start to help you find some relief from your symptoms. Then you can move forward to work on recognizing and regulating your emotions. Interpersonal effectiveness can also be very helpful. This helps you learn how to relate to others in your life in a healthier way. I graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Masters in Counseling. I have worked in Community Mental Health Centers, Treatment Facilities and I have a private practice. I am married with 4 children, whom I homeschool. Most of my time is spent with my family outdoors. We also have pigs, goats, dogs, chickens, bees and I garden. I look forward to finding out more about you and how I can help.
Steven Buck
I am a therapist licensed in the State of Missouri as an LCSW ( Licensed Clinical Social Worker). I have been a therapist for approximately 30 years working in various settings including a psychiatric hospital for almost 20 years, private practice and various mental health agencies. My specialties include treating depression, mood disorders, anxiety, phobias, anger, ADHD, relationship and self esteem issues. I have worked with individuals, couples and families. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy with a systems approach considering structure, boundaries, communication, and various family dynamics. I am non-judgmental is my approach with an emphasis on "seeing" your issues through your eyes. My goal is to demonstrate that I am listening and thinking about your feelings and concerns with an attempt to assist you with healthy options and solutions. I focus on Strengths not weaknesses, and consider it a strength that you sought counseling with a therapist. I believe mental health is as important as physical health and applaud you for seeking to improve your mental health. My entire career has been about mental health and believe I have learned as much from my clients as I have from books. So, here is to learning more about you.
Gale Green
Welcome! I’m Gale Green, M.A., L.P.C. and I appreciate the willingness and trust you have taken to address an issue you would like to examine. With that in mind, allow me to share who I am and what I can offer to you. I began this part of my life journey after working in many industries and at many jobs. After my children were grown and gone, I decided to pursue my lifelong career dream of counseling people. After returning to school and obtaining my Master's Degree, I took early retirement to begin my new career. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor for the State of Missouri for twenty one years. During these years I worked with many individuals and families - active duty military families, refugees and immigrants that fled war and torture; incarcerated individuals and their families, as well as ordinary couples and families seeking to improve their lives. Please know that along with my professional training and licensing, I bring the addition of my many decades of life experiences that, I believe, have proven invaluable to my empathy and understanding of where you may be in your life. I strive, first and foremost, to LISTEN. If I don’t do that, I will not know what you need or what we will need to do together to address your reasons for counseling. The therapeutic approaches that I have found most effective are Centered Person Therapy, Eclectic Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. You may not know what any of these therapies mean. THAT’S OKAY! These and other therapies are merely a way to help me determine the best way to help you feel comfortable, to help you identify your true problem and provide a framework to help me help you find ways for you to manage or eliminate the concern that brought you to counseling. My goal is to always be empathetic and supportive of your thoughts, ideas, and needs. Honesty is an invaluable part of therapy and I will always aim to help you feel safe enough to be honest with yourself, so that you can be honest with me, as we collaborate to meet your therapy goals. Judgment is not a part of how I function. Ultimately, my overarching desire is to LISTEN, be SUPPORTIVE, and HELP YOU IDENTIFY your true reason for counseling NOW, and then work with you to achieve your counseling goals with open and honest communication. At this time, I am only accepting clients that are 21 and older and that reside in the State of Missouri or countries outside of the USA. If you think you would like to give working with me a try, I would be most honored to work with you.
Ellen Clark
As a licensed therapist in Missouri, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients work through depression, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, and self-esteem concerns. I offer a compassionate, affirming approach that honors each person's unique journey. My therapeutic work focuses on critical areas like communication difficulties, social anxiety, isolation, and interpersonal dynamics. I'm particularly committed to supporting women's experiences, addressing challenges related to pregnancy, workplace stress, and personal transformation. I create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and those seeking a progressive, understanding therapeutic environment. My approach is deeply empathetic, designed to help clients develop self-love, process difficult emotions, and build meaningful connections. Together, we'll explore healing pathways that respect your individual experiences and strengths.
Amber Kwentus
I am an LPC and have been working full time in this capacity for over 5 years in St. Louis, Missouri. My background is extensive in working with substance abuse and trauma. Prior to working as an LPC, I had 5 years of experience as a social worker. I am an intuitive healer as well and incorporate this into my counseling based on a client's comfort level. I believe in a person-centered and holistic approach. I am passionate about leading clients through their pain to find their purpose and to lead an inspired life! My approach is a blending of Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Person Centered, and Trauma Informed Therapies. Together we will create a plan and goals that best fit your life. Technology has the capacity to help us all learn how to integrate healthy self-care into our busy lives. BetterHelp may not be the only support you access, but it can be an important piece of your life. Congratulations on taking a courageous step toward recovery and for being a pioneer in the virtual counseling arena. If you choose to work with me as your BetterHelp counselor, I look forward to joining your support network.
Gina Sokolich
Hi i'm Gina, I'm so glad you've decided to seek help or at least obtain information for your mental health. I recently retired from the EMS field so I'm very familiar with trauma in multiple situations. I work with a lot of people in narcissistic relationships, First Responders with PTSD or other work related struggles. Not everything has to be heavy and traumatic, maybe you just have questions about your life direction. What ever the situation, I can help you with perspective. I am client lead, so I meet you where you are. I give you the space to think and figure things out but will also challenge a perspective. I use EMDR, CBT and Brainspotting most often for situations and discuss things you can do in between sessions. I may also offer information on mindful meditation, stress relief. I'm here to help, let me know what you have going on!
Stacy Freeland
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.
Margaret “Linda” Teague
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!
Linda Williams
I am licensed in Missouri with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, finding your meaning life, self esteem, & confidence, mal adaptive perfectionism, issues of over control as well as depression and relationship 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. 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.
Heidi Brown Stratton
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.
Trina Hudson
Welcome! Taking the step to seek support is an act of strength, and I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to reach out. My name is Trina, and I’m a licensed therapist in Missouri. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals navigating life’s challenges, including stress, anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and depression. I believe that you are the expert of your own story. You already hold incredible resilience and strengths within you—I’m here to help you tap into those strengths, explore new perspectives, and develop the tools you need to overcome obstacles. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs because therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply looking for personal growth, you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to provide a supportive space where you can be heard, validated, and empowered to create meaningful change in your life. I’m here to support you on this journey, and I’m excited to work together to create positive change in your life.
Jennie Harvat
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.
Gwen Donley
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). My clinical experience includes over 12 years of working with families, children, adolescents, and adults. Some of whom struggled with depression, stress, anxiety, relationships, PTSD, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. My professional training consists of a Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Counseling, and a MA in Pastoral Counseling. In addition, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Graduate Certification in Health Promotions, and I carried a certification in substance abuse counseling for seven years. Using a collaborative approach, helping clients reach their goals in personal growth and healthier relationships is an honor. Everyone has a story and sometimes that story is yet to be heard, still hiding behind hurt, shame, loneliness, anger and fear. Holding in such emotions can be harmful to one’s mental health. In serving 24 years in the United States Air Force engaging with people of all walks of life, I was convinced we all share similar struggles. Helping others learn how to navigate these feelings and offer a path toward hope, is the ultimate goal. My work focuses on targeting ineffective behaviors, habits and cognitive distortions. Meeting you where you are and helping you discover an inner strength to walk through life’s challenges, with the courage to face each day with confidence is the goal I seek. People are my passion, connecting them to Hope is my heart’s desire.
Find a Therapist Near You in Pleasant Hill , Missouri
Finding a licensed therapist near you in Missouri can be an important step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, or major life changes, working with a qualified mental health professional can offer meaningful support.
Missouri is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Online therapy makes it easier to connect with a therapist near you without being limited to nearby offices. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists authorized to practice in Missouri, allowing you to attend sessions online from the comfort of your home.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you ensures that your provider meets state licensing requirements and professional standards in Missouri (MO). Licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help individuals manage emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and work toward personal goals.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating ongoing mental health concerns, while others want guidance during stressful periods or major life transitions. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to work with a therapist. Many individuals seek therapy to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage stress, or gain greater self-awareness.
Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across Missouri, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.
What concerns can therapists help with?
Therapists on BetterHelp support adults across Missouri with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and mood-related concerns
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family challenges
- Life transitions and adjustment concerns
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Job stress and burnout
- ADHD-related challenges
- Sleep concerns
- Parenting stress
- Eating disorder support
Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods tailored to individual needs.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in Missouri
When searching for a therapist near me in Missouri, many people compare online therapy with traditional in-person care. Online therapy offers several potential advantages:
- Greater accessibility: Attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection
- Reduced wait times: Many people are matched in as little as 24-48 hours, faster than typical in-person availability
- Flexible scheduling: Sessions that fit around work, family, or school commitments
- Expanded provider options: Access licensed therapists across Missouri, not just nearby offices
Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns. Online therapy may also reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, long commutes, or limited local availability, especially in larger or more rural counties across Missouri.
Finding a therapist near me that accepts insurance
Many people looking for a therapist near me in Missouri want to know whether insurance is an option.
Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and therapist availability.
When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by state and provider availability, so it’s important to check your in-network status directly on the BetterHelp site.
If insurance coverage is not available, BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model remains an option, with online therapy typically costing $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Missouri
BetterHelp simplifies the process of finding a therapist near you in Missouri without requiring you to search through tons of profiles on your own.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete a brief questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and goals
- Get matched with a licensed therapist authorized to practice in Missouri (MO)
- Begin online therapy sessions through video, phone, or live chat
BetterHelp works with one of the world’s largest networks of licensed therapists, with over 30,000 qualified providers globally. Many members are matched in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and 93% of user preferences are met during the matching process.
You can request a new therapist at no additional cost if your needs or preferences change.
Therapists near you in Missouri
Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across Missouri, including residents in Pleasant Hill.
Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in Missouri do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me
How much does therapy cost near me?
Therapy costs vary depending on provider and location. In-person therapy sessions may cost $100 to $200 or more per session. BetterHelp offers online therapy subscriptions that typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, depending on factors such as location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price. BetterHelp now accepts major insurance plans in select states and members pay an average copay of $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Is online therapy effective?
Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Online therapy allows you to connect with a licensed therapist without commuting to an office.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy. Many people work with a therapist for stress management, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or personal growth.
How quickly can I start therapy?
Many people are matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 to 48 hours after completing the initial questionnaire. Match times may vary based on preferences and therapist availability.
Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.
Is online therapy private and secure?
Online therapy through BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist in a discreet setting through video, phone, or messaging tools.