Molly Lyons-Sword | ms, lpc

Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Columbia, MO

My name is Molly Lyons-Sword. I’m the Director of Clinical Operations with the Counseling Hub and a licensed counselor in the state of Missouri. I’m a Certified Gottman Therapist specializing in Gottman Method Couples Therapy!

***Molly is currently not accepting new clients and isn’t opening a waitlist***

You'd be a good fit for me if you...

  • are ready for an honest look at your relationship and straightforward feedback from a therapist;

  • feel "crazy" from recently finding out your partner was (or is) having an affair and want to recover;

  • feel misunderstood in your relationship, or like your opinion, thoughts, or feelings don’t matter;

  • are queer-identified and wanting an affirming and knowledgeable therapist;

  • are questioning your sexuality or gender identity;

  • are in an alternative or non-traditional romantic relationship and want nonjudgmental and knowledgeable help;

  • wondering if your partner is the best fit for you; have been asking yourself, “should I stay or should I go?”;

  • are wanting to learn to how improve your sex life;

  • are struggling with coming out and don't know how to start;

  • feel lost or stuck after separation from your partner;

  • feeling like you’re “there, but not really” with your kids and that you aren’t being the best parent you could be;

  • are feeling overwhelmed with being a parent;

  • struggling with codependency.

pronouns: she/her

These are common reasons people come into counseling. These are the reasons people seek help.

More often than not, folks still feel some sort of shame in reaching out. One of the reasons Tara founded The Counseling Hub was to diminish that sense of shame, to normalize the fact that all people struggle in some way during their lives, and to empower people to grow and heal in their own unique way.

The Counseling Hub is all about connecting, healing, and growing.

I aim to listen and help provide a solution to finding your own way. I don’t have the answers, but I can ask the necessary questions that will help you to realize your own answers. My role is not to be your leader, but to aid you in finding your right direction when you feel challenged to do so.

Five Fun Facts About Molly

  1. I am a nurturer.
    Although I cannot keep a plant alive to save my life, I cannot help but want others to grow. I have worked with children most of my life and have five children of my own. It gets a little chaotic, but I would not have it any other way. In relation to counseling, I believe that with the right supports all of us can reach our fullest potential. Occasionally, we all need a little extra support and that is totally okay!

  2. I'm a Columbia native.
    The perks of growing up in Columbia, Missouri are many. The diversity Columbia has to offer has led me to value people from all walks of life. Being from Columbia has also allowed me to be aware of local resources and needs in the area. Columbia is a great town that has so many resources and supports, and if it doesn’t, the community creates them!

  3. I hated school.
    Well, that is, until I got to college. School was hard for me. I didn’t really “fit” in anywhere and struggled with my grades. Once I got to college I really understood the value of education and I believe that the more you know, the more you can achieve. I love sharing information with people. I think that it is very beneficial to knowing things before making decisions. Knowledge really is power, and I like to share the wealth.

  4. I'm an outdoors girl.
    I love camping, mudding, and anything else that is outside. I feel so rejuvenated after spending time with my bare feet in the grass. Our planet is so marvelous and one-of-a-kind and so I have to enjoy it.  

  5. Music is my life.
    From the time that I could sing, I was singing. I have been told I can carry a tune and have used that talent in many honor choirs. My Freshman year in high school I took three choir courses. That may have been a little much…but it was a great stress reliever. Also, if you see me driving around town, fully expect to see me singing and dancing around in my car!

Molly’s Education and Training

Molly is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri. She earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling at Central Methodist University (CMU) and was a student intern at The Counseling Hub and Boone County Mental Health Coalition, where she assessed and provided mental health interventions and resources for individuals and groups in Boone County schools. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in General Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Central Methodist University directly before enrolling in the counseling program. Prior to pursuing her counseling degree, Molly received an Associates of Science in Early Childhood Education from Moberly Area Community College. 

Molly has experience in the Counseling Center at MACC’s Columbia campus, providing counseling services for students around the topics of identity crises, school-related stressors, depression issues, and coping with anxiety. Molly has co-facilitated Safe Zone trainings which introduce its members to the LGBTQ+ community terminology and basic information. Molly has also completed on online course in LGBTQ+ Counseling Competencies (College and Career Readiness) through the American Counseling Association (ACA). Molly is an active member of both the ACA and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD).

Molly has completed Level 3 training in the highly effective Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) and has also been formally trained as in the Prepare-Enrich Premarital Couples Counseling approach. She enjoys working with diverse populations and seeks to always be open to new learning experiences. Molly works best with individuals who are trying to discover who they are and how they relate to their world, as well as others in their world. She believes that a person’s external factors can provide both barriers and resources towards growth and that one must discover these in order to thrive.