Dealing with an anxiety disorder like social anxiety disorder can disrupt your life in many ways. It makes doing anything a struggle because you just do not want to be around other people. Therefore, working and having a relationship are both out of the question. The mental health professionals in Emporia know exactly how that feels and can help.
Emporia has several popular events every year like the Great American Market, the Dirty Kanza cycling event, and the Taste, which is a tour of distilleries, breweries, and wineries in the area. If you have an anxiety disorder, visiting these events would be out of the question. However, with treatment from one of the therapists in Emporia, you can enjoy these events again.

Michele Turner
Hi, and welcome :) I am Michele, an Ohio transplant originally from Pennsylvania. I graduated from John Carroll University in 2008 with an MA in Community Counseling. I am licensed in the state of Ohio as an Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor-- with a Counseling Supervisor designation. I also hold independent mental health counseling licenses in the states of Michigan, and Kansas. I have been providing counseling services since 2001 in a variety of settings including inpatient mental health, residential substance abuse, private practice, dual diagnosis, and most recently Employee Assistance Counseling. I have worked with a wide age rage of clients with my youngest being 3 and spanning into late adulthood. I have worked with a variety of issues including depression, anger, self-esteem, anxiety, substance abuse, work stress, parental guidance, offending behaviors, etc. I have a special interest in helping those who are dealing with grief after a loved one has completed suicide. I like to meet people where they are at and help them develop the skills they need to in order to feel better or be well. I have been described by colleagues as " having an uncanny ability to think outside the box to meet people where they are at without judgement." I utilize cognitive behavioral techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and other evidenced based practices, but overall i listen and help where help is needed and wanted. Choosing a counselor is often times a hard task to accomplish, I am truly grateful when someone chooses to trust me to guide them on their personal journey. When I'm not helping others, i enjoy reading, writing, and being creative. I'm a mom to two boys who are always on the go and an avid bargain\ flea market hunter. My family and I enjoy home improvement, and are sometimes actually pretty good at it :) I like to have fun, make people laugh, and just enjoy the moments. I look forward to getting to know you better and potentially helping you achieve your goals.

Naomi Kaplan
I am a licensed clinical social worker, licensed in the states of Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. I have been in my chosen filed as a clinical social worker for over thirty years. I started working in the schools as both a school social worker and as a school based mental health therapist all in Colorado. Most recently, I have spent the last ten years of my practice working with adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, caregiver issues, aging, life transitions, grief and loss. I am described as empathic, kind, a good listener, insightful, and highly ethical. It is my belief that as a therapist it is not your job to cater to me but my job to make therapy right for you. I believe a collaborative therapeutic process is crucial in creating a lasting and trusting relationship between a therapist and a client. Because of this, you will find that I utilize a variety of therapeutic models in my practice, adjusting accordingly for my clients. I enjoy and can work with people of all backgrounds, although I am not a Christian counselor. I look forward to partnering with you in your journey toward emotional health and healing. I am humbled and honored to work with you.

Karla Brockman
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over thirty years of experience in the counseling/mental health field. I have worked primarily in the community mental health setting with clients who had a wide array of concerns. These concerns included depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, women's issues, stress. I think you will find me warm interactive and supportive. My primary counseling approach is cognitive behavioral therapy, however, I draw from a variety of theoretical perspectives/techniques. Thanks so much for reaching out. I look forward to meeting you. Together we will develop an action plan in order to meet your unique goals.

Jaylea Black
Hello! My name is Jaylea (She/Her). I am a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Master's Addiction Counselor in the state of Kansas, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado. I have received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations, and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). I have experience in working with clients of all ages (ages 3+), backgrounds (rural, urban, LGBT+). I have worked with a wide range of concerns including but not limited to, depression, anxiety, career challenges, ADHD, emotional/physical trauma, and parenting problems. I have additionally worked with many people facing chronic and or terminal illness. My therapy style is eclectic and empathetic. I believe everyone has a story to share and deserves a safe space to be able to share and process with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, EMDR, and Solution Focused Therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. Our first session is a consult to see if we are a good fit. Please understand that not all clients are a perfect fit with every therapist. We will discuss expectations and goals in this session and decide if we are a good therapeutic fit.

Robert McElwee
My name is Bob McElwee, and I have been a clinical therapist for more than 25 years. I am a retired clergyman, and I currently work as a teacher and chaplain at a boys boarding school in Southeast Kansas. My wife and I have raised seven children, and we currently have 15 grandchildren. I have earned master’s degrees in literature, theology, and clinical psychology. Additionally, I also have an associate degree as a motorcycle repair and maintenance technician. In addition to riding and repairing Harley Davidson motorcycles, I enjoy gardening, carpentry, scuba diving, long distance bicycle riding, model trains, exercise, travel, and reading. As a clergyman I have considerable experience in marriage preparation, couples counseling, divorce adjustment, and grief and bereavement therapy. As a clinical therapist most of my work has been with individual mood disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression). I am a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). As such I have worked mostly with people in stressed relationships that have produced individual disfunctions and flawed coping strategies. My theoretical basis for most of my therapeutic interventions is most accurately described as “Cognitive-Behavioral.” Even so I take “Script Theory” seriously and find it a useful tool in helping people to re-conceptualize and organize their personality structure and characteristics. In this regard I am currently investigating “Narrative Therapy” and its theoretic techniques. At base I am an optimistic person who believes that people have the ability to recover from past negative experiences if given proper tools, techniques, and encouragement. I enjoy assisting people as they create a productive, responsible, principled, and creative life that they can be proud of, and enjoy.

Charolette Adams
Hello! I am a "seasoned" therapist - meaning I've lived long enough to feel very comfortable combining the lessons I've learned in the school of hard knocks with textbook learning - as well as many years of paid clinical experience. The issues I have gained the most experience addressing are Depression, Anxiety, and overcoming life obstacles. I have less professional experience in parenting, alternative lifestyles, and addiction. What makes me unique is that I've worn many hats in life and I love combining that wisdom with a determination to help you overcome what may be threatening to hold you back in order for you to embrace a bright and fulfilling future. I look forward to working with you!

Amanda Buckner
Welcome to Better Help Do you need someone to talk to? Are you stressed over the everyday chaos of life? Do you spend a lot of time worrying or feeling anxious? Do you worry about pleasing others or about what others think? These can be signs of anxiety. At times do you feel hopeless, isolated or not your usual self? Do you struggle with unresolved guilt? Do you feel there is no one you can talk to about your intense or personal feelings? These can be signs of depression. Have you tried to resolve these issues on your own without much success? I am a good listener. I am passionate about helping people succeed in reaching their personal goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I enjoy helping people gain insight and develop new perspectives. I focus on the treatment of Depression, Anxiety and Perinatal Disorders (Postpartum Depression). I incorporate Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exposure techniques into my treatment approach. These are effective methods for treating both anxiety and depressive disorders. Patients often find relief in realizing that their struggles do not own them, and that there are many options available for regaining hope in their lives. I can help you sort out the environmental, biological and circumstantial factors in your life while offering support and care. If any of the above issues resonate with you, we can find a solution that works. I am a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) and have over 15 years of experience working with individuals, children and families. I received a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Wichita State University, and graduated from Newman University (Wichita, KS) in 2009 with a Master's Degree in Social Work.

John DeCarlis
I am an experienced therapist, licensed as a clinical social worker in Maryland, Missouri, and Kansas. My therapy style is direct, approachable and interactive. I am privileged to work with those who have taken the first steps toward change, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines strengths-based, acceptance and commitment, cognitive behavioral, and solution-focused therapies with a strong focus on skill-building. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. I practice a type of therapy that aims to help clients accept what is out of their control, and commit instead to actions that enrich their lives. Our goal is to help you create a rich and meaningful life. I have specialized experience in several areas including depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, relationship, trauma, and career/workplace issues. As a retired Army officer and former therapist to post-deployment military, I am honored to work with fellow veterans. Most importantly, however, I know that whatever the intervention, the real change comes from you, the strengths that you may not be currently aware of, and our partnership. I have a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. I have been a licensed clinical social worker for over 22 years. I engage with clients with admiration and respect in their journey to a better quality of life. I look forward to hearing your story and concerns and working with you to develop new skills and find solutions.

James "JT" Smith
I am licensed in Kansas with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Deborah Richert
Hi, my name is Debbie Richert, LCMFT, LMAC. I have been working with couples and individuals for 11 years. My counseling style is pretty laid-back. I have been described as supportive, caring, empathetic, and with a pretty good sense of humor. I like to focus on identifying your strengths and helping you to maximize them to overcome your obstacles. I'm here to help you sort through the things that are difficult right now and offer you a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment. I have experience helping clients struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, adjustment issues, marital conflicts, and substance abuse among other mental health issues. I understand how important it is to find a well-matched therapist and recognize how difficult it can be to reach out for help. I consider each client as a unique individual who deserves respect and understanding. I believe you should have a voice in your treatment, and I will work alongside you to develop the most effective treatment for your situation. I would be honored to work with you to ease your distress and improve your quality of life.
Find a therapist serving clients in Kansas
Types of therapists available to clients in Emporia
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Emporia that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Emporia available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Emporia therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Emporia therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Emporia region and in the state of Kansas.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Emporia can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Emporia may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.