Columbia, Missouri Therapists

Find a therapist in Columbia, Missouri that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in Columbia to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and more.

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Linda Pogo
LPC, Master's of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Certified Professional Coach, Yoga Teacher- 200
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Gain and loss, pain and pleasure, praise and blame, fame and shame: these 8 worldly winds will blow through your life. They have the potential to connect you to your human family. How you choose to respond to these changes determines the inner...
Natasha Young
LMHC, L.P.C, MA
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri, Indiana

Natasha is a board-certified art therapist and licensed professional counselor in Columbia, MO serving clients that seek therapy for a variety of reasons ranging from mental health needs, to purposes of personal growth and awareness. She holds a...
Rod Hoevet
Psy.D.
In-Person Sessions:

St. Louis, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri, Illinois

In my clinical practice, I provide a range of services: Counseling/therapy Diagnostic assessments Clinical consultations Psychological testing Professional supervision My counseling approach avoids superficial, symptom-management based approaches,...
Frankie Salisbury
LPC, LCPC, MA
In-Person Sessions:

O'Fallon, Illinois

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Illinois, Missouri

I tailor my counseling approach based on your needs, strengths, and personality. I will always try to explain the therapeutic process so you and I both have a solid understanding of the work we’re doing together. The process of therapy need not...
Jody Hansen
LPC 172
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

MY APPROACH TO HELPING Finding the right counselor is a difficult undertaking! You have come to the right choice. I bring to you the best of experience: I've been a crisis counselor for the US Postal Service, worked with the Dr. Phil show, appeared...
In-Person Sessions:

Moscow Mills, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Kara sees patients work through marital, parenting, and interpersonal relationship struggles. She encourages productive communication, constructive boundaries, and healthy, loving environments. She addresses depression and anxiety by instilling hope...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

I am a highly experienced and compassionate mental health professional with a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from University of Missouri-Columbia and post-doctoral training at Barnard College in New York City. I have been a practicing...
Cindy Eldridge
LPC-Supervisor 1
In-Person Sessions:

Kansas City, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Hello! I'm Cindy, the founder of Living Waters. I help people who are searching for that part of themselves which seems lost. I am passionate about working with people who have lost their sense of self-identity and belonging. Whether it stems from...
In-Person Sessions:

Kansas City, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

My passion is assisting individuals and families to achieve meaning and purpose in their lives by providing a holistic counseling approach of instruction, guidance, and insight for personal development and emotional growth. I will always come with a...
In-Person Sessions:

Moberly, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri who has who has provided services to adults across multiple settings. I have “front line” experience with direct support as a community support specialist in outpatient and residential settings,...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Aya Kawasaki is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Although Aya is a cisgender, Aya prefers gender-neutral pronouns. Aya earned a Master's degree in Social Work at Washington University in Saint Louis. They has been in clinical practice since 2008....
In-Person Sessions:

Mission, Kansas

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Kansas, Missouri

Therapy is so much more than sitting on a couch and talking about feelings. Therapy is a deeply personal experience where space is created to get to know yourself, figure out what’s driving your relationships, and gain confidence in your ability...
Candace Faith Fruge
LPC-Supervisor 1, MA
In-Person Sessions:

Springfield, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

I can help you to calm your mind, relax your body, nourish and honor your spirit... Release mental and emotional patterns and blockages that are inhibiting your growth and well-being. Through true acceptance, listening and understanding, I can help...
Lacita Moody
MA, PLPC, NCC
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

You are not the only one who feels invalidated about how you feel, who has experienced trauma or abuse that impacts your ability to be in lasting healthy relationships, or who is experiencing life transition. I am here to make sure your voice is not...
In-Person Sessions:

Washington , Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

After a 23-year sales and marketing career, I made a major mid-life change because my career was no longer life-fulfilling. I am now trained as a licensed professional counselor and assist individuals, couples or families with issues including:...
In-Person Sessions:

St. Louis, Missouri

Seeking counseling can be difficult, especially when it is for your child or someone else you love. When children are struggling with emotional difficulties it can be hard to watch and even more difficult to know how to help. Whether it is anxiety,...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

My name is Robin and I currently live in the Mid-Missouri area I have worked in the field of mental health for over 20 years. I specialize in co-occurring disorders, individual, relationship/marriage and family therapy. I am a solution focused...
In-Person Sessions:

Creve Coeur, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Hi! I'm Whig Mullins. I have significant training in both RODBT and Gottman Therapy.
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Kansas, Missouri

My clients are sensitive, smart, and creative, but may find these strengths difficult to access and manage. As a result they may feel disconnected, anxious, and depressed. They often self medicate with alcohol, drugs, or food. I help people...
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Texas, Missouri

I am Jenna, founder of Calm Centered Counseling. I would love to walk with you on your journey through solving personal problems and self-discovery. I am here to listen and allow you to feel heard and understood. I want to help you make changes to...
Vonetta Mcclunie
LMFT, MS, Occupational Therapist
In-Person Sessions:

Blue Springs, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Kansas, Missouri

Hello, my name is Vonetta and I have a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friend's University and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University. I have additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization...
Rachel Bichara
PLPC (MO), LPC (KS)
Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri, Kansas

Let's be honest... talking about your mental health with a stranger is not easy! Yet; I'm here to provide a space for just that. Getting started in therapy may seem unnatural in some ways, but I believe that the benefits are so great that everyone...
Diana Johnson
LPC-Supervisor 1, L.P.C, LCPC, MS
In-Person Sessions:

Liberty, Missouri

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri, Kansas

Teletherapy for Clients In:

Missouri

Embracing healing and wellness is key to maximizing your potential. Serving as a therapist and educator, I help clients understand the underlying factor(s) contributing to unresolved issues within their personal & professional lives. My goal is to...

An Overview of Mental Health in Columbia, Missouri

The lush, charming town of Columbia, Missouri is home to an impressive 121,717 people, as per 2017 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Even more notable is how rapidly the population is increasing over time. The once small city now sees its population inflate by roughly 11 percent every decade or so – much higher than most neighboring cities. However, one does not have to look far to figure out why people are ostensibly moving to Columbia, Missouri in droves. Amenities, such as grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and entertainment establishments, are readily available around just about every street corner. The region’s weather is also quite appealing, with temperate summers and mild winters.

That being said, Columbia is not free of its problems. Although the primary motivation behind one’s decision to move to Columbia is identical to that of most other American cities (a job opportunity), many are struggling financially. High-paying employment, specifically, is especially hard to find with the average income per capita being eight percent lower than the national average, as per the U.S Census Bureau. Columbia is feeling the effects of more than one pressing issue. The city’s financial problems are contributing to a separate complex issue, according to experts. They are saying Columbia is going through a “mental health crisis.” Let’s go over, in-depth, what that means, why the mental health crisis is happening, and what you can do to reach out to a therapist who can provide help if you are in need.

Unfortunately, mental health is becoming more of a concern for areas far beyond just one city. A particularly alarming statistic comes from a recent report from Johns Hopkins Medicine. It estimates one in four American adults (18+) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. When looking at the state of Missouri, specifically, the results do not look much better. As per a 2017 report from Mental Health America, the state of Missouri is amongst the top 55 percent of states regarding the prevalence of mental illness as well as lack of access to care. So, why is the mental health situation in Columbia so poor?

First of all, Columbia is dealing with a major crime problem. Residents routinely describe crime as “rampant” throughout the city. In fact, according to statistics sourced from the FBI, the overall crime rate in Columbia, Missouri is almost ten percent higher than in the rest of the United States. The relationship between crime and mental health is significant. Statistically speaking, areas with higher rates of crime tend to have higher rates of mental illness. Regrettably, Columbia is not an exception.

Columbia’s economic status quo cannot be described as prosperous. The poverty level in the area is 56 percent higher than the national average. A harsh reality is that poverty is known to not only breed mental illness but exacerbate the experience of dealing with it because of a lack of care. A study commissioned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) claims that American adults who qualify as living below the federal poverty level are more than two times as likely to suffer from a diagnosable behavioral disorder. Undoubtedly, the severe nature of many people’s economic situations in Columbia negatively impacts the mental health of the community.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Columbia, Missouri

A harsh reality is Americans across the country are finding the process of seeking help via counseling as being troublesome. A revealing study published by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests a clear majority (57 percent) of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment during any given year, regardless of the necessity to do so. Experts are pointing fingers at the nationwide shortage of mental health care professionals providing treatment to patients as being a leading cause.

In the case of Columbia, people are identifying ineffective legislation, poverty, and stigma surrounding mental illness as being reasons behind the lack of access to care in the city. While the rate of individuals without any form of health insurance is similar to the national average, as per the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of impoverished inhabitants is much higher than the national average. For those earning low wages in Columbia, the out-of-pocket expense of a therapist can be too much to be economically viable.

The good news is thanks to consideration from state and federal entities, the government is continuing to direct more funds toward combatting mental illness. Thus, more organizations that focus on treating mental health conditions can exist. Thankfully, the city of Columbia has a good number of these institutions with their doors open and more on their way. The Burrell Behavioral Health Center provides a bevy of crisis and other services to those in the area. New Horizons offers similar mental health services to both youths and adults in the community.