

Therapy should be accessible and affordable, you deserve to life a live free of self judgment and doubt. I offer a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore all parts of yourself. My approach is collaborative, helping you to find skills and ways of thinking that actually make a difference. My role is to walk alongside you as you slow things down, make sense of what’s happening inside, and reconnect with your own clarity and voice.
I work with adults who want to get back in touch with what is most important to them to feel more connected to themselves and others. I can share techniques to manage anxiety, overcome past & present challenges, connect more authentically with others, and identify skills that will help you succeed in school, work and life. If you are struggling with trauma, grief, depression/anxiety or other mental/emotional stress, we will work together to find the tools that best support your well-being.
I have worked in the mental health field since 2001 and am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). While I have extensive training and experience with adolescents and young adults, I also enjoy working with adults, families, and couples. I am trained in EMDR, an evidence-based trauma therapy, along with other trauma related techniques which I incorporate in my counseling work when indicated. I am also a skilled trainer in Motivational Interviewing, adolescent development, developmental trauma, and suicide prevention. In addition, I regularly utilize CBT and DBT skills and interventions as necessary in counseling sessions.
Regarding my philosophy of counseling, Glennon Melton, an author I admire, sums it up best: she describes life as “brutiful.” Brutiful blends the two words, “Beautiful” & “Brutal”, which sums up how we often experience our journeys in life. Life has its beautiful moments, it also has some difficult, hard times. When life feels painful and you need someone to talk to, I am someone who can provide a safe place to feel supported & heard. My goal is to provide a place for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and values in order to better understand yourself. Additionally, I work with you to learn and strengthen healthy coping strategies so the unhealthy ones are less appealing.
My clinical experience and training involves helping those with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, mood instability, anger, conflict, behavior/legal struggles, grief and loss, life transitions such as divorce, and adjustment issues.
My mindfulness-based therapeutic practice integrates a body-centered approach with Buddhist psychological models. Bringing awareness to the present moment in each session supports the observation of thoughts and impulses in real time as they come up. We’ll collaborate as we gain a deeper and more subtle understanding and felt-sense of the unfolding patterns that appear. Cultivating a relationship based on trust and open communication is the foundation of my compassionate and direct method.
Are you BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ struggling with self-compassion and self-care? Are you struggling with the anxiety of navigating a society that feels like it's not made to support you? Whether it's systemic issues or unpredictable life changes, sometimes life can feel overwhelming and beyond our control. I provide a space for you to be your authentic self and receive unconditional positive regard through these challenges. Come as you are.
Tired of living in survival mode? My ideal client is someone who feels tired of simply getting by. They may be self-aware and have done therapy before, but still feel overwhelmed by life, big emotions, racing thoughts, shame and guilt, self-criticism, or disconnection from themselves and others. They want to understand the deeper roots of their patterns, but they also want relief, regulation, and a felt sense of change. You are not broken. Your nervous system adapted and needs help letting go.
I began this journey just seeking to learn about psychology and the nature of human behavior. The more I learned, the more I became fascinated with how resilient humans are in the face of significant challenges. However, what I found was that people will continue to live with underlying pain, because of the stigma previously put on people seeking help with mental health and trauma issues. I found that people created their own ways of coping and it often involved creating more harm. I knew at this time that I wanted to help people begin to face tough emotions and move toward healing the emotional pain.
I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1991 and a Master of Science Degree in General Psychology in 1993 from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS. I later went back for another Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University in Kansas City, MO in 2014.
I have worked in the areas of domestic violence, at-risk youth, at-risk families, foster and adoption, and addiction. I specialize in working with trauma and addiction.
Hi, I'm Darrien. During my time as a therapist, I have seen the inter-workings of all levels of care, ranging from inpatient hospitalization to private practice. Most of the clients I have worked with have been in crisis, recovery, and acute stress which has prepared me for individual therapy in a way that allows me to hold space for all aspects of the client, their past, present, and their future. I specialize in helping adults experiencing addictions with co-occuring mood disorders.


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