
Jessica Gerson
Reaching out for support is an act of courage, and I honor you for taking the first step toward lasting change! You're here because you're going through something, and whatever that is, I'm here to help. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Louisiana and Massachusetts (in MA my license is "LICSW") with ten years of experience working as a psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults. I have helped clients and families through issues including anxiety and depression, parenting challenging children, career difficulties, issues related to sexuality and gender identity, ADHD, life stress, work-life balance, relationship issues, and more. As someone who has struggled with both anxiety and depression at various points in my life, I come at the therapeutic process with both personal and professional knowledge, and always keep in mind those things that were most helpful to me when I was the one seeking a therapist. My style as a therapist reflects my belief that the relationship you and I forge is the foundation from which change becomes possible. Working through the things which hold us back can mean facing difficult feelings and memories, and it's important to have the right partner on that journey. I aim to be a supportive and encouraging partner in change, as well as getting to know you well so that I can provide interventions that make sense for you rather than a one size fits all approach. I believe in helping you build a toolbox of concrete tools and skills that you can draw from moving forward—in helping you equip yourself to meet not only the challenges you’re facing now, but also leaving you better prepared to manage future challenges as they come. I'm here to support you as we explore ways to help you meet your goals and live your best life!

Karen Medlock
My name is Karen Medlock. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Texas and Louisiana. I have two Masters' Degrees, one in Social Work and one in Theology. I take a holistic approach with my clients. I have worked with all age groups, from three years old all the way in the eighties. Yes, I have been around awhile. I have teaching certifications in Michigan and taught Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The experiences I had as a teacher were tremendous and very helpful in my therapeutic relationships with adolescents and teenagers. I enjoy working with all age groups and totally enjoy diversity in culture, race and sexual orientation. I ran and did sexual offender treatment with male adult offenders at Norton Correctional Center in Norton, Kansas, which gave me a great magnitude of skills in addiction treatment, running groups and providing psycho-social classes in multitudes of topics. I would have to say working with inmates in state prisons is very rewarding for me because I can now view them as people with problems from the past that have never been dealt with for the most part. Also, I have much experience in helping people work through trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including the severe panic attacks that occur. I have worked extensively with grief and loss. I am very excited to be a part of Better Help because it is a way for people who need help to access me at various times via text, phone or video. It is a good medium for all those who are a bit shy to meet in person (or aren't ready) or have tight schedules. I am very excited to work with you! I am quite a laid-back therapist, and always respond to where you are in your life-path. We all are on personal life journeys...let's use this time to explore and traverse new worlds and paths! I will help you develop your strengths and accompany you on your journey.

Dr. Charles Tullis, Jr.
I love counseling individuals, couples, and families from all social classes and standings. I am respective of all people and social classes. I embrace respect for multi-cultural counseling. My experience includes service to civilian and military populations for thirty-six years as a military service member and as a federal employee. I am well experienced and prepared to address the concerns associated with the demands of the military and civilian lifestyles. My goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying comprehensive therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for support and guidance through a challenging situation or you are just ready to move in a new direction. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. I accept a client’s immediate family relationships and larger social context as being important resources in solving life’s problems. Goals for therapy are always established through collaboration with the client. The overall objective for therapy is always the successful resolution of the problems that are deemed the most important through that collaborative process. I practice an integrated approach. I believe that our initial assessment should indicate to us what would appear to be most likely to help the client achieve individual goals. I practice responsible selection of appropriate theory, model, and interventions. I work from a people-oriented approach, which means that I assist couples and families in organizing their relationships so that resources can be brought to bear on the problems being presented. Techniques that I often employ are instruction and modeling of communication skills, interactive processes, family role-playing, and family sculpting, and between-session interactive assignments. Additionally, homework is a vital part of the therapeutic process. The completion of homework is necessary if the client is to get the most from the therapeutic experience. My training includes family systems theory and models such as Bowenian Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Object Relations Therapy. I also use Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Reality Therapy and Multi-Model Therapy. I employ Client-centered approaches such as Rogerian and Psychoanalytic type theories and models just to name a few. Rest assured that I believed that you are of great value and it is my intent to help you raise that awareness to a meaningful understanding resulting in increased self-worth! I hold License # 880 as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the LPC Board of Examiners, 8631 Summa Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, and 225-765-2515. I also hold License # LPC005547 as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the The Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. I have a Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; A Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia; A Master of Science in Community Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling from Columbus State University in Columbus Georgia; a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia Georgia (Atlanta Georgia); and a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). I am a clinical fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). I am also a graduate of the United States Army Chaplain Family Life Counseling Program.

John Hamblin
My name is John Hamblin. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor within the State of Louisiana and I will have been licensed for over 23 years in May of 2024. I received my Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University in 1998 and afterwards completed the necessary requirements that the Louisiana LPC Board sets forth in order for individuals to become Licensed Professional Counselors. In my treatment approach, I often start with a non-directive counseling approach but am not glued to this avenue. I encourage completion of homework assignments when I feel it can be helpful to the client. I like to encourage patients to process their feelings through journaling, writing poetry, drawing, or any of their interest that may provide an avenue for them to release/process emotions and thoughts. I also utilize bibliotherapy, which is referring clients to appropriate professional materials for them to read/listen to, and then aid them in processing how the material may relate to their current mental health. I have worked with individuals ranging from age two to geriatric individuals as wise as age 100. I have provided services in a residential treatment facility for children and teens as well as a group home which was specifically for girls ages 12 to 18. I have also provided services for a psychiatric hospital setting which provided services for young children, teens, and also adults. Further, I have provided services in two different correctional settings which did incarcerate juveniles as young as 12 but also up to age 21. I have provided services to adults in both an in-patient and an out patient addiction recovery setting, and as mentioned earlier, I have provided services to adult and geriatric patients within a daily outpatient program where I encountered various forms of dementia as well as other mental health related issues. Areas of treatment that I have spent considerable time in learning about are possible threats by others to the safety and life of targeted victims, self-injury as opposed to suicide ideation, grief, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder particularly as it often overlaps with self-injury behaviors, and also addictions counseling. Within addictions counseling I normally approach things more directly rather than in a non-directive approach and rely heavily upon the 12 Step programs and assignments to work with the individual.

Jessica Fernandez
I am licensed in Louisiana with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Janell Birmingham
I am licensed in Louisiana with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

wanda grant
I am licensed in Louisiana with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & anger management. 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!

Kinyada Gipson
I am licensed in Louisiana with 9 years of professional work experience. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Randi Washington
I am licensed in Louisiana with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

April Vandiver
I am licensed in the states of Missouri, Oregon, and Louisiana in professional counseling. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, career difficulties, confidence-building, life changes, coping with stress, time management, grief, goal-setting, and more. I believe in treating everyone with respect and compassion. I have a warm client-centered approach. It takes courage to take the first steps toward change. I am here to support you in that journey. You can message me 24/7. I will respond at least twice a day.
Find a therapist serving clients in Louisiana
What types of therapists are available to clients in Independence?
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 Independence that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic 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 Independence available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Independence 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, Independence therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Independence region and in the state of Louisiana.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Independence 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 Independence may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Independence offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.