Waynesville, Missouri was named after the Revolutionary War hero, General “Mad Anthony” Wayne. Folklore abounds in Waynesville with tales of settlers and fur trappers. Historic Route 66 offers travelers a glimpse into yesteryear as the famous pathway runs right through the center of town. When you’re struggling with mental health issues, it can feel like there’s a mad war building inside you.

Just as Waynesville survived a couple of wars, you can be a survivor of the journey to mental and emotional wellness. All you need to do is match up with a professional counselor in the Waynesville area to get yourself back on the road to living the best life of today.

Psychologist Dr. Julie Downs providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Dr. Julie Downs

Clinician
License Type(s): MSW, LCSW, EDD
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
16 years offering treatment

My name is Julie Downs and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri. I earned my Masters Degree from the University of Missouri/Columbia in 2000. I earned my Certification from the University of Indiana in career counseling in 2012. I have worked in various settings over the past 26 years that include outpatient mental health and private practice settings serving children, families, and adults. I have also worked in educational settings from higher education to elementary and secondary education. My areas of expertise include trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflict, relationships, and parenting. I enjoy working with children, but have also worked with adults, specifically when addressing family needs. I definitely take a holistic and systemic approach when looking at family dynamics, relationships, interactions, and functioning. I look at my relationships with clients as a partnership. I am very resourceful and creative in my approaches so if I do not have the knowledge or information, I will locate it for my clients. I take a non-judgmental stance because I believe diversity is what enriches my life and those around me. I also adhere to my professional code of ethics where taking an unbiased approach is a necessity. I am extremely energetic and creative in my approach with therapy. I strive to keep my clients engaged providing various options and encouraging them to overcome challenges, fears, or reservations about trying new things. I do regular check-ins to make sure my approach is having a positive impact on my clients' lives and that there is a continuation of progress towards goals. My clients are treated with dignity and respect, but I will be assertive in a respective manner when addressing patterns of behaviors that are impeding progress. Cognitive behavioral approaches are the foundation of my therapy, but I also use eclectic interventions through trauma, solution focused, and client centered modalities, making adjustments that fit my clients' communication and personality styles and needs. I am also a trained Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. I believe continuity of care and ongoing support is crucial in therapy services and check my messages minimally three times a day. I look forward to working with you and forging a partnership in helping you reach your goals!

Psychologist Christine Sibilla providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Christine Sibilla

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepression
4 years offering treatment

Are you someone who struggles with self image concerns and wants to have a positive relationship with their body? Have you found yourself struggling with symptoms of worry, anxiety or depression? Do you want to start becoming active, both for physical and mental health, but don’t know where to start? I specialize in helping those with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, poor body image, healthy eating, and anxieties surrounding self-esteem and healthy self image. Taking a step forward to improve overall mental and physical well-being can be overwhelming. Our inner worlds can feel disconnected as our bodies often influence what we do and how we feel. Certain physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. As a provisionally licensed counselor and NASM certified personal trainer, I aim to increase quality of life by adding physical activity in session, alongside mental health counseling, to help you feel connected again. Doing this alone can be confusing and stressful, but by working together, we will realize your strength, and move to complete your picture of health.

Psychologist Tommi-Jai Walsh providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Tommi-Jai Walsh

Clinician
License Type(s): LSCSW,LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
21 years offering treatment

Tommi-Jai is a trans-woman since 2020 and has been counseling for 20 years. Tommi is an experienced and member/ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Also experienced and understanding of alternative lifestyles, relationship issues, mental health, stress, coping. Low key and personable, non-judgmental with a sense of humor. Tommi can help with thinking patterns that lead to distress, uncover deep emotions that stick within, gain insight and understanding of past event, and dream and plan for a brighter tomorrow.

Psychologist Dr. Robert Bowman providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Dr. Robert Bowman

Clinician
License Type(s): PhD,LPC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
4 years offering treatment

Welcome! I’m Robert (Bob) Bowman and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri. I have worked as a counselor in both community and educational settings and have taught counseling skills to hundreds of counselors in training as a university professor (my students refer to me as Dr. Bob). I have a Master’s degree in counseling and completed my doctoral work at Purdue University. My approach is a mixture of person-centered and cognitive theories. I believe that an honest and genuine relationship between counselor and client is important in pursuing your goals. My hope is to provide an empathic environment where we will explore problems, goals, hopes and dreams and make decisions that will move you forward. Since a person-centered approach focuses on understanding the situation from your point of view, I find that I can work with people from a wide range of racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. While I favor person-centered and cognitive approaches, I firmly believe our approach must be tailored to you as a unique individual. I have experience working with teens, college students, adults, and couples. Common topics include: divorce, relationships/intimacy, stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with change among others. If you choose me as your helper and teammate we’ll begin by building a relationship in which we explore the dynamics of your current situation, clarify what you want, and develop plans to solve problems or pursue opportunities. You will be treated with respect, warmth, and good humor as we find our way forward.

Psychologist Cherri McCord providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Cherri McCord

Clinician
License Type(s): MS,LPC-MHSP,NCC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
14 years offering treatment

I am licensed in the state of Missouri and Tennessee with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with depression, anxiety, & addictions. 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!

Psychologist Stephanie Wideman providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Stephanie Wideman

Clinician
License Type(s): MSW,LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
20 years offering treatment

Hi there! I am so glad you are here. Take a moment. Yes, right now, take a deep breath. I’ll be here. Exhale. Be proud of yourself. Today, you showed up. You are here and you are willing to consider taking the next step. Well done! I believe, life is full of emotion. It makes us laugh and cry… sometimes both in the same moment. It can be hard as we journey through it to see the forest for the trees… to see beauty instead of pain. Wherever you are along your journey you do not have to travel alone. My name is Stephanie Wideman. I am a licensed clinical social worker based in Missouri. I have 20 years of experience coming alongside others, from children to older adults, on their journey as a guide. You will always lead, because we are going where you want to go. Together we can forge a path of perspective and self awareness; replacing lies with truth and be able to take in all of the beauty of the journey along the way. Each person's destination and goals are unique. My guidebook (clinical approach techniques) is diverse. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves, because I believe you get out of therapy what you put into it. I am a Christian and draw my clinical approaches heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (known as CBT) aligned with the Biblical principles of grace, love, and mercy. At all times, as your guide it is important to me that you feel safe, respected, heard, encouraged, empowered, and challenged. Yes, we can do hard things. Now, you did not come this far to only come this far. Grab your favorite mug and find a place of solace. Let’s journey through together.

Psychologist Sabrina Giwa providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Sabrina Giwa

Clinician
License Type(s): MS,LPC,LCPC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
15 years offering treatment

Encouragement. Enrichment. Empowerment. Hi, my name is Sabrina. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor of 12 years experience specializing in anxiety, depression, bi-polar, OCD and trauma related issues. I am the Co-Founder of 360 Degrees Wellness Counseling, a certified grief counselor and I’m in the process of obtaining my certification in EMDR as well as Expressive Arts therapy. I use a number of different therapies modalities to tailor individual needs. The name 360 degrees was chosen to represent the goal of the practice which is to provide a complete circle of treatment options tailored to bring inspiration and wellness to all that need it. Our 3 E’s were chosen to symbolize our strengths within us as well as what we strive to reveal and broaden.

Psychologist Louis Koch providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Louis Koch

Clinician
License Type(s): LSCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesDepression
40 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Missouri with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbt-related issues, & relationship issues. 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!

Psychologist LaJoya McDonald providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

LaJoya McDonald

Clinician
License Type(s): LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefDepression
9 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri with 8 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 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.

Psychologist Sarah Thakur providing different types of therapy in Waynesville

Sarah Thakur

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
20 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Missouri with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, 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. 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.

Find a therapist serving clients in Missouri

Types of therapists available to clients in Waynesville

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Waynesville that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.

Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform

Mental health therapists in Waynesville available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Waynesville therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Waynesville therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Waynesville region and in the state of Missouri.

How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want 

Therapists in Waynesville can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Waynesville may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 

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