Unfortunately, life is not always sunshine, rainbows and lollipops. Sometimes, life can leave a sour taste upon our palates and it can be difficult to continue to eat from its table. With major life changes, transitions, difficulties, and stresses, it can be hard to swallow at times. I can help guide you through your mental health journey, by empowering you on how to use those things life has thrown at you for the recipe of recapturing & restoring peace & joy to your life.
In 2013, I graduated from Lindenwood University with a Masters of Art (M.A.) in School and Professional Counseling. I graduated top of my class and was peer-nominated & winner of Student of the Year 2013. I have over 15 years’ experience as a Department of Mental Health-Division of Developmental Disabilities Case Manager I/II/III & Habilitation Specialist II. This has afforded me the opportunity to work closely in the community with adults, children, and their families who have been diagnosed with Autism, Downs Syndrome, among other intellectual challenges as well as with individuals diagnosed with intellectual AND mental illness disorders. I also have experience working with individuals (children & adults) who struggle with substance abuse, suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
My previous professional experiences afford me the unique position to function like a social worker, considering each aspect of a person’s life and how those parts interconnect and impact the person as a whole, but also providing an in-depth approach from a therapeutic approach as a counselor. I primarily work from the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approach, but I am extremely flexible in my approach as each person is unique in their personality as well as their needs.
In using cognitive behavioral therapy, I help people see life issues & stresses they face daily from a different perspective. My philosophy is “if you can change the way you think, you can change the way you feel, and if you change the way you feel, you can change your life by changing the way you respond to life challenges.” However I am also a realist, that life is sometimes tough and sour, and another philosophy I have and live by is "it is okay to not be okay, just don't get stuck there". I also use the Solution-Focused brief therapy, to quickly identify unhealthy cycles and/or systems, and assist with identifying reasonable solutions, unless otherwise indicated for a more in-depth approach such as trauma informed approaches. I am here to help guide you through learning skills, strategies, and gaining insight to assist you out of your "stuck" place of your journey in your story of life, and empower you with the tools needed to navigate through any of life’s tumultuous journey's successfully.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Abandonment, Antisocial personality, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MO LPC 2017043246
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Vesta Towels. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Very easy to talk to, insightful
Written on Feb 03, 2025 after therapy with Vesta for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
I appreciate Vesta’s relaxed approach. She listens and helped me understand my anger. This helped me to better process what was happening in my world.
Written on Nov 25, 2024 after therapy with Vesta for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Vesta was absolutely wonderful! She really understood what my needs and concerns were and helped me identify strategies to better my life. I would love to continue with her again when the time is right.
Written on Jul 27, 2023 after therapy with Vesta for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
My first time ever joining therapy and I really felt so safe to open up to Vesta, definitely made it easy to confide in and she really goes to the root. If it's your first time and your nervous, Vesta will give you the safe space to be yourself.
Written on May 09, 2023 after therapy with Vesta for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Vesta is wonderful.
Written on Nov 09, 2022 after therapy with Vesta for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and adhd
She is easy to talk to . She listens to what you say . Seems to be quick at identifying what the issues are . All around good Therapist to me . I would strongly recommend .
Written on Jun 28, 2022 after therapy with Vesta for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and anger management