Therapists in Springfield, MO

Most of my clients are facing relational challenges due to areas that are out of balance in their lives. At the present time, I have about 100 clients. I spend much time working with people with high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. My greatest strengths are in Marriage & Family and Youth Counseling due to the fact that I look for root problems in the lives of people and find ways to retrain them so that they can be much more functional. I am also very effective with self-esteem issues. With additional counselors we can address substance abuse, weight management, child custody issues, divorce mediation, etc.

Do any of these apply to you? You find yourself always worrying about things beyond your control. Some days it may be hard to get out of bed and be productive. Or, you know you make a decent salary, why does it never feel like enough money? Why can't you get those spending habits under control? Maybe you are struggling in your relationship or learning to co-parent with your partner. I can help you navigate these challenges. My areas of focus include financial therapy, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting/co-parenting, and trauma or post traumatic stress.

I am privileged to work with clients of all ages across a broad variety of needs. My practice is largely focused on trauma, though I also see with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, interpersonal issues, relationship issues, and stress.

I look forward to working with clients whose life path may have created difficulties for them that has led them not be the best of who they can be. Each individual's path may have been sprinkled with physical or emotional abuse, neglect, assault, grief and loss, domestic violence, marital or parental discord or a myriad of other situations. Sometimes these life paths create in my clients a feeling of hopeless and loss of self-worth, sometimes these path end with someone needing to determine a plan to leave an unsafe living situation. Sometimes these paths lead to turning to substances and illegal drugs to cope with the internal turmoil and pain. It is my privlege to work with clients to help them identify and bring forth the best of who they are and what they want for their life, their family and their future through their own individual strengths.

So many of us struggle with low self-esteem and feelings of powerlessness over our lives. These can affect the quality of our relationships, communication, work-life balance, stress, physical problems, the feeling of being understood, the ability to heal from trauma, and a sense of living up to our values. If you are feeling frustrated or lost from experiencing the same problems with no relief, I can help. I believe that feeling more empowered and confident in your personal life is the key to developing mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual freedom.

There are several reasons why people feel stuck in their life story that prevent them from growing into the person they want to become... A past that continues to return to the present, patterns that are unbreakable alone, major life changes, uncontrollable circumstances, feelings of shame - the list goes on. I love working with clients looking to improve themselves, their relationships, and learn to face their struggles.

I believe the kind of help on offer in therapy is one of fundamental change. As in The Wizard of Oz, each sets out on the quest so that they can receive what they lack, but they discover along the way that they have changed to truly become what they lacked. This sort of change is the special kind that I work to help people achieve.

You have a story. A very important and unique story. Sometimes your story keeps you stuck. It keeps you from being the best version of yourself. If your story involves trauma whether from sexual abuse, divorce as an adult or child, physical or verbal abuse, loss, relationship conflict, boundary confusion, religious confusion, natural disasters, accidents, etc, I can help you reprocess these memories and the negative things that you tell yourself. It takes a lot of strength to reach out and ask for help however, I will provide you a safe space to do just that.

I'm committed to the restoration of families and our community. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors, Association of Missouri Mediators and the Professional Mediation Association. I counsel all populations from ages 3 to 81 and employ an integrated modality approach. My practice includes child therapy, couples & relationship counseling, family counseling and individual counseling. I am also certified in Prepare/Enrich, a marital and premarital counseling course.

My goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space in which you can feel heard and accepted. I most often work with individuals (ages 12+) struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or relationship issues. I also offer couples counseling and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. I utilize a variety of evidenced-based techniques, including EMDR, mindfulness-based interventions, and self-regulation skills. I am passionate about helping individuals who want to heal from trauma, learn how to better regulate their emotions, and understand themselves more deeply. I am an LBGTQ+ affirming counselor.

I provide Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. I have a specific interest in working with women who may be experiencing depression and/or anxiety from various life stressors, including postpartum needs, divorce, grief, and other relational issues.

I use a person-centered approach that facilitates healing through providing empathetic support to assist in exploring past hurts, put a voice to their feelings, make sense of their world and help each person to make meaning out of their lives. She has experience working with adolescents and adults with a variety of issues including depression, ADHD, trauma and gender identity issues.

My role as a therapist is to guide and facilitate the healing process of my clients as they return home to themselves. This “coming home” process involves attuning to our bodies as we befriend the wounded or exiled parts of our psyche, welcoming them back to the table and listening to what they have to say.

You forgot where you put your keys for the umpteenth time, and now you're late for work. Double-booked yourself.... again. Wondering about ADHD? What about dementia? Are you a concerned parent, child, or friend? Will this get worse? Can this get better? Or is this all normal?

Immediate openings available. Sometimes you need space that is only for you. Space for your feelings to be big, raw, and unedited while you sort through them without judgement from yourself or anyone else. Whether the issue is depression, anxiety, trauma, a life transition, relationship issues, parenting issues, LGBTQ issues, religious abuse, or a need for personal growth, counseling can create a safe space to be your authentic messy self as you sort things out.

The focus of what I offer is to invite and empower you to practice trusting the wisdom of your body. By doing this, a more secure and trusting relationship with yourself can begin to develop. In time, this can help you to navigate stressors and aid you in trauma recovery. A person generally finds relief, compassion, and an empowered sense of self from this process.

I am passionate about educating clients and helping them rebuild their relationships with their bodies and food. I am adept at getting to the root of problems and helping clients develop effective coping skills for different life situations, triggers, and traumas.

Jane Handley is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health from Missouri State University. Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology with a minor in Military Resilience from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. As a retired military spouse, she has 22 years of experience navigating military relocations, deployments, and trauma. She specializes in working with those who are experiencing grief due to the death of loved ones or other losses brought on by life transitions and challenges. She has experience working with children, teens and adults.

Carl Rogers, the father of Person-centered therapy, once stated, "The curious paradox is when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." I love to work with those people who have decided they are tired of "being tired" and have intention to make positive changes in their life. Whether it be dealing with anxiety, depression, past traumas or current stresses, my passion is to provide counsel, encouragement and empower people toward wellness.