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3 therapists available in St. Louis
My mission is to help you live your best life by bringing empathy and respect to the therapeutic process of exploring where you’ve...
About
My mission is to help you live your best life by bringing empathy and respect to the therapeutic process of exploring where you’ve been and pursuing your mental health goals with hope for the future.
Sam Bearer is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 9 years of experience working with individuals and couples from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. He specializes in helping clients work through emotional, relational, and interpersonal issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, anger, sexual issues, family and relationship dynamics, self-image and identity, communication, and mood and personality disorders.
Sam holds a Master’s in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary. With experience in multiple modes of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, internal family systems, and eye movement desensitization reprocessing, he offers a flexible approach to each client as they explore their unique internal experience.
Sam loves helping clients find self-acceptance as they explore their inner experiences and unique path forward. He would love to get to know you and help you live your life in alignment with your values. When you need a partner to help you process life’s difficulties with expertise and compassion, reach out to schedule an appointment.
Education and training
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Justin Mann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has 8 years of experience in the mental health field. Justin speciali...
Justin Mann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has 8 years of experience in the mental health field. Justin specializes in helping people overcome their struggles with depression, anxiety, substance use, and trauma. He also specializes in couples counseling and family therapy. Justin enjoys playing music and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Justin completed his Master of Social Work (MSW) at Saint Louis University, where he graduated as part of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. He has certifications in Co-Occurring Disorders and Medication Assisted Recovery. Justin's training and approach include evidence-based practices designed to help people change the way they think, which can effectively change the world around them. These techniques combined with a strong sense of empathy and a strengths-based approach have allowed him to help his clients realize their full potential. As a musician, Justin also enjoys incorporating elements of music and creativity, as he feels these are very helpful tools to help cope with what life brings you.
The stress of coping with all of the aspects of our current environment combined with struggling to maintain mental wellness can be overwhelming, and Justin enjoys helping others through these times. He focuses on developing and nurturing relationships with his clients, to help them reach their goals. Justin's approach is to treat the whole person, which includes a holistic approach with the understanding that oftentimes mental health difficulties co-occur simultaneously and impact one another.
As someone with a broad range of lived and professional experiences, I strive to help people of all ages and walks of life meet th...
As someone with a broad range of lived and professional experiences, I strive to help people of all ages and walks of life meet their goals for mental health and personal wellbeing.
Brienna is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 5 years of experience. She is committed to helping children, adolescents, adults, and couples develop strategies for daily living that address their unique challenges. Brienna specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and child behavioral issues.
Brienna completed her Master's in Clinical Psychology at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. She brings a broad range of professional and lived experiences to the table to connect with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Brienna utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, trauma-focused therapy, and behavioral interventions.
Life is complicated, even messy, and we all try to get through the best we can. Sometimes we need support along the way. Brienna is committed to joining you wherever you are on your journey to help you gain new insight and develop new skills to help you manage your struggles effectively. If you are ready to make meaningful changes, schedule an appointment today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Addiction counseling therapists at Thriveworks in St. Louis, MO can help people manage their urges to use the substance or engage in the activity they’re addicted to. In addition, it can help people manage the challenges that stem from their addiction, from relationship issues to problems at work, as well as those whose addiction may stem from issues like trauma.
Addiction counseling at Thriveworks in St. Louis, MO works by helping one understand the underlying causes of their addiction, teaching them coping strategies, and recognizing their specific triggers. Long-term or ongoing addiction counseling can also help to prevent relapse.
Addiction counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of addiction counseling depends on the individual’s needs, the extent and severity of their addiction, and the problems that might stem from it. That said, people can make meaningful progress in addiction counseling in the first weeks to months.
You could be addicted to prescription drugs, alcohol, food, cocaine, or more. Maybe the behavior you struggle to control is not about a substance, but it is sex, shopping, Internet use, gaming, or gambling. In either case, the feeling is the same. Addiction is a disease that receives a lot of attention for the behaviors it induces in people, but the truth is, addiction is not about behavior—it is about brain balance. Like other major illnesses, it often requires therapy from a mental health professional to restore healthy balance to the brain.
The counselors at Thriveworks St. Louis have helped many clients restore healthy brain balance and reclaim control from an addiction. Treatment is not easy. There are no quick-fixes, but there is support and help along the way.
Tens of millions of people in America have an addiction, and despite its being a widespread illness, there are still many myths about what it is and how it functions. Many of these misconceptions are actively harming those who have an addiction because they are stigmatizing it. Reaching out for help has become a source of shame instead of what it truly is—an act of courage. The truth is that addiction is a disease that can strike rich and poor, women and men, young and old. It does not discriminate against race, religion, or socio-economic status either.
Addiction’s prevalence is overwhelming, and the need for treatment is real. It is important to fight these stigmas so that the path is cleared and anyone who wants treatment feels empowered to reach out for it. An important step in fighting an addiction is often asking for help. It is time to fight these myths with the truth so that those who need help can receive it. Here are three myths about addiction and the truth that counters them:
1) Myth: Addictions Develop in Weak People Here are a few risk factors for addiction: family history, genetic history, childhood trauma, allergies, and peer pressure. None of these have anything to do with character or strength. This is a shaming tactic that addiction can use to keep people trapped. If addicts feel embarrassed about the disease, they may be less likely to seek treatment. When addiction is treated for what it is—an illness—then people are empowered to seek help, just as a diabetic is empowered to seek help. This shaming myth isolates people when they need community. An important part of healing often involves fighting isolation and finding a support community.
2) Myth: People Choose to Be Addicted Sometimes addicts beat themselves up and think, If I just made a different choices… next time, I will not give in. Addiction is a disease—not a choice. Treating addiction has nothing to do with willpower. Treatment involves re-establishing brain balance. This may involve some lifestyle changes, but it is not as simple as saying no to a drug or a drink or a bet or a log in.
3) Myth: Addiction Is Rare Another lie that addiction whispers is that people are alone in their addiction—that no one else understands what is going on in their lives. The truth is that support groups for addiction are filled with people who understand. If 21 million people are currently struggling, how many more have struggled in the past and overcome the addiction? Many people who have healed from addiction are avid volunteers in recovery programs—giving of their time and their experiences so that others can experience the empathy and accountability they need to heal.
Are you struggling? If so, you are not alone. There are effective treatments for addiction, and the mental health professionals at Thriveworks St. Louis have helped many find the healing they deserved. If you are abusing a substance or if you have a compulsive behavior, it may be time to seek help. When you contact Thriveworks St. Louis, know that you may be meeting with your therapist within the week. We also offer evening and weekend sessions because we know life is busy, but therapy is important. We work with a number of insurance companies and accept many different insurance plans. Let’s fight this addiction together. Call Thriveworks St. Louis today.
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