Hey There!
I am so glad you are here! The relationship between the therapist and client is crucial for therapeutic outcomes. It is so important to feel connected and safe with your therapist! That is why I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation before we officially start our sessions. This consult will help determine if I fit your needs and goals well. Hopefully, the information on this page will give you a good picture of who I am. You can also check me on my Instagram page @sitwithmegan to learn more about my therapy style.
My Credentials
No matter what you are coming into therapy for, it is essential that you know that I am qualified to be your therapist. I received my Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the CACREP-accredited counseling program at MidAmerica Nazarene University. I am a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) in Missouri under the supervision of Josh Cress, LPC, SATP-C, NCC. I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Because of my license and credentials, I report to the American Counselors Association (ACA) and abide by their professional code of ethics and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Why I Became a Therapist
I love my job. Undoubtedly, being a therapist has been one of my biggest joys. Before I was a therapist, though, I was first a client. Throughout different seasons, I found myself on the couch seeking insight into my inner world, hope for my future, and the desire to feel less alone amid my pain. Different therapists helped provide a safe space for introspection, curiosity, and healing each season. I hope to do the same for my clients, empower them to make confident decisions, and grow into the people they wish to become. Even though I now sit in the therapist's chair, I know from my years on the couch that life is hard and that therapy isn't always fun. Some of my lived experiences include disordered eating, body image issues, interpersonal trauma, anxiety, and depression. Although treatment isn't always the most accessible or comfortable, I know that beautiful, healed, and whole people don't just happen and that therapy is worthwhile.
Sitting With Me
Holistic & Individualized
We cannot confine mental health to being solely about thoughts, emotions, or behavior modification. Acknowledging only one part of ourselves and ignoring the rest, we often miss the things that truly matter. Therefore, I am different from the type of therapist with a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Instead, I see all of us as human beings consisting of biopsychosocial parts. Our humanity makes us similar in that we all share the need for connection, meaning, and safety. However, we all carry different biological, psychological, and social backgrounds, and these all have a profound effect on our mental health.
 Furthermore, we all are impacted by the larger cultural, socioeconomic, and political systems around us. Of course, we will all have different needs and approaches regarding the therapeutic process. For this reason, I do not shy away from exploring nutrition, exercise, financial wellness, relational well-being, and spirituality in the therapy room. By acknowledging and integrating these unique realities in session, we can better understand your lived experience and values.
Collaborative
& Intentional
Taking the step to begin therapy takes tremendous courage, so wouldn't it be nice if the change worked like osmosis, and you would be instantly changed after one session? Unfortunately, science has not yet advanced that far. I tell my clients, "We are doing beautiful work together." To me, therapy is similar to gardening. It is like preparing the soil, tilling the ground, sowing the seeds, and weeding any intrusive plant. Therapy can be messy and complicated, like gardening, and it takes time before seeing things bloom. As much as showing up is the only thing necessary to see actual change, the reality is that client participation and motivation play a critical role in successful therapeutic outcomes. Working with me, you won't experience a therapist who acts like a 'blank slate' or only listens to the entire session. I take a collaborative and intentional approach in walking alongside you during the therapeutic process. I may provide you with resources, challenges, or reading outside of the session that will help enrich and deepen your growth in therapy.
Active
& Playful
Whoever said therapy had to be boring? I love working with clients in a space that allows depth and introspection, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun, too! In addition to some modalities I use to facilitate change and healing, experiential methods can accelerate the therapeutic process. For clients who struggle with overthinking, allowing them to "get out of their heads" can bring insight, identify underlying emotions, and build confidence. Don't be surprised if, in one session, I bring out LEGOs and ask you to make me a picture of a current stressor in your life. Whether using LEGOs, drawing on large posters, or roleplaying specific scenarios, I believe in allowing therapy to be experiential rather than limited to only talking.
Me Outside the
Therapy Room
Now that you've heard about what I am like in the therapy room, you may wonder who I am outside the office. I am married to the most wonderful man in the world, and we are expecting our first child together in December 2024! Outside of my roles of being a therapist, wife, and soon-to-be mother, I am happiest being outside at a local park, completing a complex puzzle, playing golf with friends, and mastering the art of home cooking. I love gathering with my community weekly and diving into meaningful conversations while enjoying one another's presence.
