Trauma has a way of lingering, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and even our daily lives. Whether from a car accident on I-70, childhood experiences in Overland Park, or past traumas from military service, traumatic memories can hold us captive. Fortunately, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers an effective treatment for trauma recovery. EMDR therapy, endorsed by the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association, is a proven method to help individuals in Kansas City and beyond heal from traumatic experiences.

It’s my pleasure to welcome Rachel to gokc. Rachel and I (Aaron) go back a decade working together in the KC helping community. She is a terrific & compassionate therapist who is easy to know, like and work with. Her clients consistently love working with her and are grateful to have Rachel in their lives. Thank you for joining our team & offering your supportive space to our KC neighbors.

Life in your 20s and early 30s can feel like a roller coaster, full of major life changes, career choices, and a constant search for a sense of self. If you’re a young adult in the Kansas City metro area facing feelings of uncertainty, you might be experiencing a quarter-life crisis. The good news? You’re not alone, and this period of uncertainty is a natural part of personal growth.

Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer can be an incredibly liberating step toward living as one's true self. However, for many LGBTQ individuals, the process of coming out is also accompanied by a profound and often unexpected sense of loss. Whether it’s family members who become distant, friends who don't understand, or communities that turn away, the experience of grief can be intense and disorienting. This type of grief—where one feels unable to fully mourn because society doesn't always recognize the loss—is called disenfranchised grief. For LGBTQ people, this grief is often compounded by social stigma, leaving them to process the loss of their former lives largely on their own.

Congrats Brenton!

Please join me in celebrating Brenton for leveling-up from provisional to independently Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri! For those who don’t know, counselors not only have to complete a rigorous graduate program in counseling psychology, they must continue their learning while practicing under the supervision of an LPC for a minimum of 2 years and 1200 direct therapy hours - whew! Brenton did this with flying colors and has helped dozens of people along the way as a compassionate, thoughtful and terrific therapist. I (Aaron) was lucky enough to work with Brenton for the better part of the last three years as his supervisor. I’ve seen him grow in confidence, competence & experience all along the way. I’m grateful to know Brenton & I’m a better clinician because of him.

When it comes to prioritizing your mental health, one significant decision is whether to use insurance or to seek private pay therapy. While insurance companies offer convenience, there are substantial benefits to pursuing counseling services without relying on an insurance provider. For residents in Kansas City, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas, understanding the advantages of private pay therapy can help you make an informed choice that best supports your mental health journey.

How a gokc Therapist Can Help You Get Going Again

Life is full of challenges, and sometimes, you may feel stuck after facing a traumatic event or a difficult experience. Whether you’re dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, or internal conflicts, taking the first step toward healing can seem overwhelming. However, the good news is that help is available. Mental health professionals in the Kansas City area, including licensed mental health counselors and clinical psychologists with years of experience, are equipped to support you in reclaiming control of your life and moving forward.

Help! A Guide for Kansas City Residents to Find a Good Therapist Fit

Taking the first step toward improving your emotional health by seeking professional help is an incredibly brave decision. Finding the right therapist can feel like a daunting task, especially if it's your first time navigating mental health services. If you're in the Kansas City, Missouri area and wondering how to connect with a therapist who truly understands your unique needs, this guide is for you.

How a Therapist Can Help You Achieve Your Goals in the New Year

As the new year approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and setting lofty goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re focused on personal growth, mental health goals, or achieving specific goals in your daily life, therapy can be a powerful tool to help you navigate the journey. In Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Brookside, and Johnson County, Kansas, mental health professionals are available to provide valuable insights and actionable steps for success. Let’s explore how a therapist can help you turn those New Year’s resolutions into meaningful changes.

Finding Peace in the New Year Through Nature: A Journey to Inner Calm

As the holiday season winds down and the New Year begins, many of us start contemplating fresh starts and setting new goals. In today’s fast-paced, screen-heavy world, finding inner peace can feel like a distant dream. But, what if the simplest way to reset was as close as stepping outside? Nature has an undeniable power to calm our minds, restore our spirits, and set us on a firm foundation for the challenges and joys that lie ahead.

The holiday season—often touted as the "most wonderful time of the year"—can be anything but for people facing depression. For some, this time of year magnifies symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. Feelings of loneliness, family dynamics, financial stress, and unrealistic expectations can turn the winter months into a challenging time rather than a joyful celebration. If you’re struggling with feelings of sadness, holiday depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), working with a depression therapist could be the best thing you do to navigate the holidays.

This blog explores how your own therapist can help with managing depression symptoms during the winter holidays, providing a professional support system as you tackle the holiday blues and more.

Hi, I’m Christin. I’m grateful for healing! Both in my own life and with each person I’m lucky enough to be their therapist.

The passing of time

An inevitable experience we all go through that somehow feels painfully slow and incredibly fast altogether. This year I had several events that seemed to underscore the swiftness of the passing of time. It has left a mark of sadness and grief after realizing how quickly ten years have gone by - seemingly at the snap of a finger.

Over time, however, I found myself drawn to something else entirely: the allure of the unknown. What once terrified me as a child—the dark room at the end of the hallway, the mysterious space under my bed, the boogeyman lurking in my closet—slowly transformed into a source of fascination. The shadows that once symbolized fear became symbols of possibility. Rather than fearing what I couldn’t see or understand, I began to embrace it, wondering what secrets or adventures might lie within. This shift wasn’t sudden; it evolved as I realized that answers, though satisfying, often paled in comparison to the thrill of discovery and the richness of curiosity.

This year, I’m grateful for Stillness. It’s a rebellious act in a world of busyness. Stillness means to not necessarily be physically still, but to allow our mind to be quiet and our heart to be present. It is taking a step back to see the bigger picture. We can find it by creating the space to connect with self, the rhythm of our breath, nature, loved ones, a hobby (like creating art or dancing), a higher-being, etc.

We can’t always control the pressures and the stress of life, but we can choose how we see them, and we can create inner peace amongst outer chaos by being still.

I guess what I'm thankful for is the change in my life. I've been able to look back and see that each time I have embraced the changing winds of my life, I've grown and become better for it. Now let me be clear, sometimes these changes were hard, or scary, or left me asking "why me?" but had it not been for my past self embracing these changes, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't be living a life that fulfills me at the deepest levels. I'm able to travel to places I've always dreamed of traveling to, I have a support system that I never imagined having, and even when life feels difficult I am able to find the joy in my everyday experiences. For the changes in my life, I am grateful and I hope that you can embrace the power of change in your life as well!

All the Small Things

I believe in the power of small things - Sometimes all we have is a small kindness. I'd argue it's often the only thing we have. I occasionally get caught too far into the next big adventure, profound meaning, grand gesture to inspire and the like. Maybe it's the old-man millennial in me looking for greater and grander purpose. I don't know. I have realized and believe more than ever that diminishing the small things often comes from a place of privilege. I'm lucky to have so much.

The holidays are often painted as a season of joy and celebration. But for those carrying a heavy heart, this time of year can be challenging, amplifying the pain of a significant loss. The cheer and gatherings may feel like constant reminders of a person who is no longer there, leading to deep emotional distress and even distressing memories. But there is hope. For those grappling with intense feelings of grief or even traumatic grief, EMDR therapy offers a promising path forward. This therapeutic approach is particularly effective for those who have experienced a traumatic event and are finding it difficult to move through the natural process of grief.

Grieving the loss of a loved one can be an incredibly difficult time, filled with waves of emotions that often catch us off guard. As a close friend or family member, finding the right words to offer support can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re writing a condolences letter to a grieving person or trying to express your own emotions in a personal letter, understanding the importance of your message is key. In this blog, we’ll break down a template for writing a heartfelt grief letter, addressing the impact of the holidays, and discuss how grief can be mistaken for other things.

Additionally, for those struggling with grief, we’ll provide resources like a loss worksheet or grief worksheet and offer insights on the next step in healing. If you’re in Kansas City, Missouri, or the surrounding areas such as Springfield or St. Louis, grief therapy or working with grief therapists can be a powerful aid in the healing process. So, let's walk through how you can write a grief letter that offers hope, healing, and a pathway forward.

Relationships are a beautiful blend of trust, love, and mutual respect—or at least they should be. But when controlling behavior creeps in, what could be a healthy relationship can quickly spiral into something toxic and damaging. Control issues often manifest subtly at first but can grow into serious emotional abuse over time, affecting self-esteem and overall mental health. Whether it's constant monitoring, making unilateral decisions, or emotional manipulation, control in intimate relationships can wreak havoc on both partners’ well-being.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the nature of control issues in relationships, how they affect self-esteem, and how to recognize warning signs. We’ll also explore resources in Kansas City for those facing domestic violence and the crucial steps for building healthier relationships.