I love working with people who are ages 16 and up.

It depends. Many people report feeling some relief even after the first session, but typically, research shows that many issues take around 12 sessions or more. Once we meet, I can provide you with an estimated time frame for what you can expect based on what is bringing you into therapy. 

Each session is 50 minutes in length. For individuals, the cost is $120/session; for couples, it is $150/session. Occasionally, longer session lengths are warranted due to the issue and desire for faster improvement, in which case the extra time will be prorated at the above rate. I do offer a few "sliding scale" spots for both individual and couples counseling for those who need a lower rate. Please feel free to inquire if a spot is available. 

At this time, I do not accept insurance due to the time required to work with insurance companies and the limitations many impose on the quality of care I can provide my clients. I am more than happy to provide you with a "superbill" that itemizes your sessions and costs so you can submit it to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

One of the few benefits of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic was the improved ability to conduct virtual/telehealth therapy sessions. Research has proven that this is also a therapeutically beneficial mode of treatment and allows for more clients to seek counseling care. Both in-person and virtual sessions are 50 minutes long and cost the same, so choose whichever works best for you. Teletherapy sessions require you to be in a confidential location (where no one will overhear or come into the room and not over a shared network (like in Starbucks). I will also verify your location at the beginning of the session so that, if there is an emergency while we are on the call, I can know where to send emergency personnel and ensure you are within the state of Missouri, where I am authorized to provide therapy. You will also want to ensure you have a reliable connection to minimize the risk of disconnection. 

I take your privacy very seriously. My job is to provide you with a safe place to share your thoughts and feelings. As a mental health professional, I am HIPAA compliant, which protects what you share with me in almost all situations. As a mandated reporter in the state of Missouri, I would only break confidentiality in a few extreme instances to keep you or others safe. I will go over this in more detail in our first session, but for more information on how privacy and confidentiality work in counseling, click here.

Deciding to seek help is actually a sign of your wholeness not brokenness. It is a sign that the struggles you are experiencing do not "feel right" or are "no longer working" and that there is part of you that has hope that things can be better. This place of awareness, acceptance, and vulnerability are signs of your strength and your potential for positive changes and relief. We all need help from others, especially when we are hurting.

Yes! In 2024, research showed that 17% of men sought counseling over the course of the year, and this number is likely lower than reality. Mental health stigmas are slowly going away as more and more people realize that caring about one's physical and mental well-being is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. I love working with my male clients as they are leaps and bounds beyond what society stereotypes men to be and they see tremendous changes through therapy that help them find healing, empowerment, and authentic connections to themselves and those they care about. 

The answer to this is, it depends. As I work from an attachment-based perspective, if you are in a committed relationship and both of you are seeking individual help as well as relational help, doing this in a combined setting can provide compound growth and improvements for both of you independently and collectively, and research has proven this to be true. There are several situations where individual counseling is warranted, and oftentimes clients will see a therapist for couples counseling and another therapist for individual therapy. This is helpful if there is extensive trauma that is hindering basic focus and functioning, or when working with active addictions. Please do not hesitate to contact me, so that we can discuss your situation and determine the best course of action for you both.

LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. It signifies that I am a state-licensed mental health professional authorized to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. I hold a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups in areas like anxiety, depression, or trauma. 

Deciding to seek support — and choosing the right therapist — can be some of the hardest steps. My hope for you moving forward is that it feels less hard.

Once we’ve scheduled your first appointment, you’ll be added to the secure client portal to fill out forms to complete prior to our intake session. In the portal you’ll have access to my work calendar for future scheduling changes, reminder texts, and a few other features.

Our first session is a little different from those that follow. We’ll review important details such as confidentiality, policies, and payment, but most of our time will be spent getting to know you. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to better understand your story, your relationships, and what has led you to seek therapy at this time.

While the intake session is more structured, clients often leave feeling clearer, seen, and hopeful about the path ahead.

Together, we’ll discuss your goals, the frequency of sessions that feels appropriate, and begin mapping out a plan for our work. In subsequent sessions, we’ll build on that foundation — deepening insight, strengthening emotional awareness, and creating meaningful, lasting change.

Liberty & Light Counseling is located on the historic Liberty Square, near the courthouse and surrounding shops and restaurants. My office is housed within Ampersand Counseling Group’s collection of professional office suites.

While I operate as an independent private practice, I am grateful to work alongside a community of talented and compassionate clinicians. Clients share a comfortable waiting area with coffee, tea, and water available prior to sessions.

For our full address and detailed directions, please click here.