Let’s Get Real about Youth Suicide

Homework. The latest TikTok trend. Do my friends like me? These are just a few of the thoughts we expect to occupy most young people’s minds today. However, according to the CDC  about 20% of high school students are having thoughts about suicide and about 9% reported an actual attempt. These number allegedly increase depending on various factors. 30% of young girls surveyed said they had thoughts of suicide. Rates for suicide attempts in Black youth have increased in the last decade. LGBTQIA+ youth are also at higher risk for suicide. With all this scary information, where do we go from here? There is research that is still being done, especially for black youth, whose rates for suicide have historically been lower.  In the meantime, what can caregivers, teachers, and adults do for these young people?

Know the Risks

In the mental health field we talk about risk factors and protective factors for suicide for suicide. This can be a helpful starting place as you are thinking about this.  Risk factors according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) include:

• Prior suicide attempts

• Family history of attempts

• History of mental health conditions such as severe depression, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders

• Substance abuse

• Repeated impulsivity and aggressiveness

• Serious issues within the family

• Break ups or major relationship losses

• Access to means of self-harm (unsecured firearms, prescription medications, poisons)

• Social withdraw/isolation

Protective factors include:

• Strong social/family connections and supports

• Access to quality mental health care

• Effective coping strategies and problem solving skills

• Lack of access to means of self-harm (unsecured firearms, prescription medications, poisons)

Have a conversation

There has been a myth floating about that if you talk about suicide it will put these thoughts in the person’s mind, this is not true. Starting a conversation is the best way to know where the young person’s thoughts are. It can definitely be an intimidating conversation, start with genuine curiosity. Sometimes when we are scared that can show as anger. Do the best you can to keep your own emotions regulated. Starting with “Have you had thoughts about hurting yourself?”, depending on the answer move on from there. If the answer is “Yes,” be curious about the specifics of the thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts may come out in a joking manner, take them seriously and use those moments to have a conversation about suicide and self -harm. If you are worried about how to have the conversation NAMI has a few conversation starters for people in distress.

Understand what suicidal ideation sounds like

In Taylor Swift’s Song Is it Over Now? she has a line “I think of jumping off a very tall something’s, just to see you come running…” Now while we could argue the intent and meaning of this line, if a young person in your life is saying they are considering harming themselves, even if for attention, take it seriously. Suicidal ideation may not come out as I am going to kill myself. It can also be “I want to go to sleep and never wake up”, “Sometimes I think the world would be better if I wasn’t around.”

Involve a Professional

If you have started the conversation or maybe you’ve heard them say some of the above statements contact a therapist. Contacting your doctor can help you find a good referral, a quick google for therapist’s near you can also help. If they are having urges in that moment you can call or text 988 the crisis & suicide hotline. If they are in immediate danger, take them to the ER.

Written by Clinical Therapist Alexa Robinson

Navigating Stress in Jefferson City, Missouri: Effective Strategies for Mental Well-being

Living in a bustling city like Jefferson City, Missouri, can be exciting and fulfilling, but it also comes with its fair share of stressors. From work pressures to personal challenges, managing stress is crucial for maintaining good mental health. In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies and resources to help Jefferson City residents cope with stress and foster a greater sense of well-being.

Recognizing Stress Triggers

To effectively cope with stress, it's essential to identify the triggers unique to your life in Jefferson City. Whether it's a long commutes, demanding work schedule, or too many responsibilities, pinpointing these stressors allows you to address them head-on. Take time to reflect on situations that consistently induce stress and consider how they impact your mental health nd overall wellbeing.

Accessing Nature's Tranquility

Jefferson City is blessed with abundant natural beauty, making it an ideal setting for stress relief. Take advantage of the scenic surroundings by exploring nearby parks, such as Binder Park or Jefferson Landing State Historic Site. Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll can be immensely rejuvenating and promote relaxation.

Seeking Supportive Resources

In Jefferson City, there are numerous resources are available to support individuals dealing with stress. The Counseling Hub is a local counseling service and mental health practice that offers professional guidance and coping mechanisms tailored to your specific needs. Our exceptional clinicians specialize in working with folks who are dealing with stress, anxiety, and relationship issues (amongst other things!). Additionally, consider joining support groups or attending workshops that address stress management techniques. The camaraderie and shared experiences can provide a sense of validation and reassurance, reminding you that you're not alone in your journey.

Prioritizing Self-Care

Practicing self-care is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. In Jefferson City, carve out time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it's engaging in a hobby, taking a yoga class at a local studio, or pampering yourself with a spa day, self-care rituals help alleviate stress and foster a sense of balance in your life. Remember to prioritize sleep, exercise regularly, and nourish your body with healthy meals, as these factors greatly contribute to overall mental resilience.

Connecting with Community

Building connections and fostering relationships within the Jefferson City community can be instrumental in coping with stress. Attend local events, join clubs or organizations aligned with your interests, or volunteer for community service initiatives. Engaging with others who share similar passions can provide a support network and help you gain new perspectives. Social connections serve as valuable outlets for venting, sharing experiences, and finding solace during challenging times.

Living in Jefferson City, Missouri might offer a unique set of stressors, but it also provides ample opportunities for stress relief and mental well-being. By recognizing stress triggers, accessing nature, seeking supportive resources (like The Counseling Hub!), prioritizing self-care, and connecting with the community, Jefferson City residents can effectively cope with stress and cultivate a healthier, happier life.

Contact us today to get scheduled with a therapist in Jefferson City!

Online Counseling | Why I Chose to Work Remotely as a Mental Health Therapist

Online Counseling (Telehealth) in Columbia, Missouri

Online counseling, telehealth, e-counseling - whatever you prefer to call it, the world of online therapy seems to be a hot topic. Not only has COVID-19 been a major factor, but this field has been ever-growing over the last decade (and with good reason)! The alluring option of being able to talk to your therapist from the comfort of your own home is more available than you think.

As an online counselor/therapist (something that we offer for both individual counseling and couples therapy/marriage counseling), I get a few of the same questions consistently. This isn’t a big deal, for the record - it mostly just lets me know that folks have a similar (sometimes misinformed) understanding of what online counseling is like. Let me take a minute and answer some questions you might be thinking right now!

Does it feel the same as an in-person session?

Well, yes and no. From my experience in having sessions online since March 2020, there are definitely aspects that feel different. There’s not the environment of sitting in a fluffy chair across from someone, and having that renowned (and literal) ‘safe place’ to go to. There aren’t tissues sitting near you to grab (unless you bring your own). And, most importantly, there’s no chocolate candy waiting for you to walk past and grab a handful on your way out.

However, there is the comfort of your home, no commute time to the office, and the ability to be flexible in squeezing in some therapy during a hectic day (including on your lunch break). There’s still a trained professional to talk to who gives you their undivided and nonjudgmental attention. There’s still the ability to get resources from your clinician and, best of all, meet their pets (because animals are amazing)!

Is online counseling/therapy private?

Yes, yes, and YES! First of all, at The Counseling Hub, we use a HIPAA-compliant service called Spruce that was specifically created for group health practices. Through Spruce, we’re able to offer video, phone, and messaging services to clients with no cost to you. It’s been incredibly helpful in having a safe and secure way to connect with clients without having to worry about zoom crashing or information being shared with anyone.

Wait, what is HIPAA?

I’m glad you asked! HIPAA stands for The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was adopted in 1996 and does several things that I won’t get into. Most importantly, in a counseling setting, HIPAA makes sure that your information is protected, both electronically and in person. It keeps your medical records private and confidential. It’s basically our Holy Grail in therapy, and your therapist should always cover the concept of confidentiality and how your information is protected at the beginning of therapy. If they don’t, it’s your right to ask about it!

Does it have to be a video call?

This depends. For folks who are using insurance, yes, it has to be a video call because insurance doesn’t cover phone calls for counseling/therapy services. For folks who are self-pay, there’s more variety in the options. There are many other ways in which online counseling/therapy can happen, with the second most popular option being a phone call. This can be really helpful for a lot of reasons: you’re in between meetings at work, you’d rather have some privacy, you’re outside and the sun is bright (it’s happened!), you’re wanting to work on chores or other things (although this is slightly discouraged), or you’re feeling self-conscious about the camera - whatever the reason, having a session via phone call has also seemed beneficial. Another way is through HIPAA-compliant messaging services, like Spruce. This provides time to think about your responses and type them out, almost like in an email but quicker. This also helps if there’s an internet problem, but you’d still like to talk things through.

What if I don’t like online counseling or online therapy?

That’s definitely a personal question, and one that only you can make. If after a few sessions you still don’t feel comfortable, then talk with your therapist about it. I’d suggest giving it a decent try (three-ish sessions) if you’re thinking seriously about it. Make sure your space is welcoming; get your favorite blanket out, have some coffee/tea at hand in your favorite cup, be in a comfortable and safe space within your home/car/office, etc. You owe it to yourself to make your environment feel comfortable - this is all for you, after all.

Do you have to get special training to be an online counselor or online therapist?

This questions is an ‘it depends’ sort of question. Setting aside insurance limitations for a moment, if you’re licensed in the state of Missouri, you don’t technically have to get training to provide online counseling, It’s encouraged, but not required. However, in order to fully work via online, I’d suggest investing in the training. Plus, there is a fancy acronym and letters that could be behind your name if you choose to become certified - BC-TMH, which stands for Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider.

Why do some counselors choose to do online counseling?

I can only speak for myself, but this has been a personal choice and one that I was hesitant to make. COVID-19 really shook the world of therapy, and before I could really comprehend what the pandemic meant on a professional level, I was being told we were shifting to online services. I have had some experience before in working with clients who lived further out of town and wanted services online, but it was never more than one or two clients. In the beginning, the transition was rough to say the least.  Learning how to make my house a safe and confidential space, how to work at home with my fiancé also working from home, and completely shifting how I approach working with clients was a challenge. However, I began to realize how beneficial it was for clients, and also for me. There was a common thread of feeling safe at home during a pandemic, and an aura of gratitude on both ends of maintaining some type of routine and being able to process what was happening.

I quickly realized that I liked my new routine. I liked being able to have my mornings scheduled in my desired way. Rather than having to wake up and get ready to fight traffic, commuting across town, possibly having time for breakfast, and praying that I wouldn’t get a speeding ticket if I was a few minutes late, my mornings have been my favorite part of the day (and that’s not something I ever thought I would say)! I’m now able to wake up earlier and have some space to fully prepare before 8am for clients. This includes time for yoga and meditation, working out in our sweet home gym, and actually making breakfast and watching cartoons. I also like having gaps in my day where I can move to my couch and get some work done, as opposed to staying in the same room all day or being tempted to spend money at a coffee shop or restaurant. I’m able to cook lunch and eat healthier, and even see my fiancé more when/if we have a break throughout the day.

Looking back, I realized that my work-life balance was pretty non-existent, and I have noticed a decrease in stress and an increase in happiness since working from home. I can pet and play with my dog when I need/have time to, and also show him off and bond with clients over animals and their impact on mental health. I’ve felt more in control of getting things done and being able to complete tasks at my pace. I don’t feel stressed about getting home and having to cook dinner immediately, and I’ve found more time to fill with my hobbies and interests, rather than feeling like once the workday was over, I had basically 2 hours of time to myself before bedtime.

Are there any cons to doing online counseling (as a counselor)?

There are definitely cons to this decision and things that I’ve had to work with myself on, like procrastination and time management. Honestly, these were things that I’ve always had problems with, and I think being home has actually helped me prioritize building up positive habits. Once I found a rhythm, it’s been relatively easy to adhere to a timeline. My schedule changing almost every day provides time and space for flexibility, and that’s one of my strong suits and what makes me comfortable in any given day. It’s a fine balance with me, and working from home has personally made a large positive impact.

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About the Author

Lauren Williams | MA, LPC
Online Individual Counselor & Therapist

Lauren earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri and has experience in substance abuse, college and career counseling, and as a professor. Lauren enjoys working with both adolescents and adults who are struggling with self-esteem, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. During her undergraduate career, Lauren was involved with several research projects focused on ADHD and its role in attention, a clinicial area she is also interested in.

You can read more about Lauren via her bio page and by viewing her videos on our Facebook weekly Coffee with a Counselor segments!

Online Counseling For Couples Arguing

Stuck At Home & Stuck In Conflict

            What a convenient time to learn how to fight with your partner while we are stuck together due to COVID-19?! Seriously though, we are stuck together with the people in our homes and this creates many, many opportunities to learn (or put into practice) skills to have healthy conflict. I will be the first to admit, we all need the practice. Even if we weren’t legally ordered to stay at home with our families, it’s probable that you’re going to have disagreements on how to navigate through this time. Do we order drive-thru? No way! Yes way! I’m tired of cooking, give me a break. We need to stay away!

Now, fighting isn’t inherently bad. In other words: fighting isn’t bad in and of itself. Disagreements and fights can lead to several good and healthy outcomes in a relationship; understanding of another’s perspective, passionate make ups, being able to air differences, and so on. It’s not realistic to not fight- or at least disagree on things. What makes fighting not so productive is when it has certain markers that are known to be unhealthy and even corrosive to relationships (think horsemen, rejecting influence, no compromise, seeking validation outside the relationship). I am going to give you a little information about couples counseling regarding conflict, mainly from the Gottman approach. Then, I am going to tell you how this might look via telehealth.

Hold Up. What’s Really Happening?

Before you begin therapy it would be helpful to figure out what changes you would like to see. The response I hear often is “I just want to stop fighting” or “We don’t know how to have conflict.” The issue is that the term “conflict” can cover an assortment of things.

Maybe it has to do with the amount of arguing (we can’t talk about anything without getting into a fight!).

Maybe you have certain topics that are issues (we really cannot talk about how we parent, it will not go well!).

Maybe you can’t get your partner to engage in a discussion (they always walk away as soon as I start to talk!)

Maybe you feel disrespected and add heat the fire (well if he’s gonna walk off, I am gonna follow him in there and really tell him off!)

Maybe it’s that you don’t feel heard and you keep saying the same things over and over (why don’t they listen to me?!)

Or maybe you want it to just be resolved (I just want us to solve it!)

Whatever it may be, it would be helpful to reflect ahead of time what’s not working so that you can communicate that with your therapist. One common concern is that people want to stop having conflict about one particular topic; they want resolution with it.  

Conflict Resolution

The Gottmans found that 69% of conflict couples have are perpetual conflict. This means that 69% of the things that you and your partner argue over will likely be things that you argue over throughout the duration of your relationship. Say what??? It never fails that when I give this statistic people are astonished.

An example of a perpetual issue might be that one partner, John, is more organized than the other, Mary. It might ebb and flow that Mary is more organized, or John is more accepting of her messiness. Orderliness and organization can be perpetual issue due to differences in personalities. It may feel hopeless and terrifying to never “resolve” the issue(s) that keep coming up which often leads people to seek therapy. So, if resolving in the way that the problem is gone completely isn’t an option, then what can people expect? Compromise, validation, understanding, empathy, perspective, repair, and more.

The Many Pieces of Conflict

There are a whole host of things that can lead to successfully conflicting, or having crap hit-the-fan. I couldn’t possibly list all of them with their explanations- whole books have been written on them! So some of the markers can include compromise (give a little to get a little), repair (slowing it down or fixing it after), horsemen (four markers related to relationship dissolution), perspective (thinking negatively or positively about your partner), and communicating empathy and understanding. That is definitely not all of them- but you get the idea. If conflict is an area of pain or tension in your relationship these concepts will be explored with your therapist when you come in. Your therapist will give you information on them, highlight them when they show up, and help you navigate to healthier outlooks.

Got it! Now what about telehealth for this?

Okay, so now you’ve got a small idea about what to expect from working on conflict during therapy. Here is the thing: you’ve gottta do it via telehealth. Telehealth is the process of engaging in therapy via phone or virtually on some platform like Facetime or Skype- only on a HIPAA compliant platform. Our advanced world has given mental health professionals the opportunity to provide services to those even when we cannot meet face-to-face. What an amazing thing for us and for you! Not much is different working on conflict via telehealth. It has been proven that telehealth is just as effective as in person therapy. It can definitely be scary to choose to have a conflict with your partner when your therapist is literally miles away and you are stuck at the house with your partner after the session ends. Here’s the thing: conflict is going to happen. I like to use the analogy of teaching a child how to tie their shoes. It’s a pain in the you-know-what when you’re in the middle of teaching them, you’ve got to stop and walk them through it each time they take them on and off. Once they learn, you don’t have to do that anymore. Once a skill is down, you can reap the benefits of it. It’s often uncomfortable (and frustrating) to learn new skills, especially when it’s conflict with our partners but the benefits can only improve the quality of your relationship.  

A few tips for your telehealth sessions:

1.     Bring a note pad and pen.

Taking notes is an important part of listening and reflecting back what you hear.

2.     Be sure your internet is good to go for seamless sessions.

Interruption stinks. Sometimes there’s no getting around it, yet we all try our best!

3.     Print off the feeling wheel (or have one ready).

Every person that comes to my office knows how I love my feeling wheel!

4.     Prepare for session.

This means that you should spend time reflecting on what you want to talk about, the same way you might as you are heading to the office for a session. It’s also important to get in a mindset that is open for communication and feedback.

5.     Plan for afterwards.

Some people love being around each other after a good fight, while others need time away to decompress. Prepare by thinking about what you and your partner might need or want.

That’s it!

This might not have covered all your concerns, so feel free to contact us so we can answer any questions you might have! No questions? Let’s get started!

Conflict isn’t fun (usually), but it’s necessary. Healthy conflict skills can be effectively learned and implemented via telehealth to help improve your relationship now. There is no need to wait until we aren’t in a pandemic— your relationship deserves all the care and attention you have so that you and your partner feel happy, loved, and cared for.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Molly Lyons | Counselor
Individual Counseling, Couples Therapist & Marriage Counselor

Molly earned her Master of Science in Clinical Counseling at Central Methodist University (CMU) and is a PLPC counselor at The Counseling Hub. She has been an intern at 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 enjoys working with diverse populations and seeks to always be open to new learning experiences. She 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. Molly 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.

Online Counseling for Infidelity

For most of history, therapy has been viewed as primarily an in-person experience. It was one where you would schedule an appointment via phone, drive to the office, and sit in a waiting area until your name(s) are called. You would shake hands with a (hopefully) caring and warm therapist who would direct you into their office and offer you a seat. Although you might be nervous, you know that you need to be here. Especially, if you’ve just discovered (or your partner has discovered) an affair. Being in a therapist’s office after the discovery of infidelity can feel like a couple of different things.

It could feel like a safe haven where the therapist will see your horrible shame and vouch that your partner should believe your recommitment.

It could feel like relief to know that you are going to be helped or told what to do to “fix” it (which is not exactly what we do).

Or, it could feel like you are voluntarily walking into a hell that you cannot escape for an hour (or 90-minutes) while hoping that your angry partner will eventually lose steam and everything will be okay again.

Then again, it might feel like a giant waste of time because you haven’t decided if you want to continue in the relationship or not, which is where discernment counseling might come in handy. Any of these feelings or situations are common. Again, what is certain, is that if there’s chance of salvaging the relationship, or healing in the most efficient way possible, then you need to be in therapy.

Many people fall into one small problem: showing up to a counselor’s office isn’t an option right now, for whatever reason. Maybe you or your partner travel for work and are gone for most weeks out of the year. It could be possible you can only do late evenings or weekends and the office building is locked down at that time. Maybe you have children and it’s not possible to drive into the office or there is no one to come to the house to watch the kids. For the most common right now, maybe there is a global pandemic occurring and counselors are only seeing clients via telehealth. Whatever it may be, you can still do the work. You can still reap the benefits of in person therapy during this difficult time from the comfort of your own home/office/hotel/wherever.

What Should I Expect During Sessions in Person?

Well, this is a loaded question. First, we use the Gottman Method Couples Therapy at The Counseling Hub. This method in particular emphasizes assessment. Yes, at the first session you will be asked about what’s going on currently (also known as the presenting concern in therapist lingo), but you’ll also be asked about a lot of stuff that may not seem particularly relevant to the exact thing that brought you in. W hen a person (or individual) shows up, there will be a lot of information gathering to help your therapist know what is happening and how you and your partner got to where you are in your relationship. The Gottman method uses assessment as a map (their analogy which I love to use). The idea is that you can drive a car as fast as you want (i.e., start doing therapy the first session) but if you don’t know where you’re at (i.e., knowledge gained from assessment) it doesn’t matter how fast you drive. In other words, therapists want to know as much about the relationship as possible to know where the couple’s strengths and areas of improvement are. This helps our team to be the most effective and efficient counselors they can for you. Assessment is necessary. It’s also difficult when emotions are high. It might seem strange, but one very important thing to know is that explaining the why an affair happened is not one question your therapist will ask during the first few sessions. That question will be one that is discovered through therapy across time without blaming either partner.

Feedback (session three) is unique session. During this session your therapist will share what research has shown about not only couples who stay together, but couples who stay together and are happy and satisfied. Once you know about some of this, your relationship will be inspected to see where it lands in comparison. This gives direction and hope. Not only will you learn about healthy relationships, your counselor should give you information about affairs and infidelity, too. The Gottman’s use their own developed framework for working with affairs which they named the Atone-Attune-Attach method. This framework will be explained during the feedback session of assessment. It has three phases which will help heal the couple in a way that has evidence from research: it’s not just theory.

After meeting the first three sessions (together, individual, together) your therapy journey will begin to take on a new look. From feedback onward you will be guided by your therapist in using effective and helpful (not harmful) ways of communicating. Your sessions will go from talking to the counselor about what is and has been going on, to one where you talk to your partner. Which might be terrifying, but necessary. You will then be guided through expressing feelings about the infidelity. You will talk about big moments in the past. You will discuss what your needs are: past ones which were not fulfilled and current ones. You will live in transparency with your partner- which might be the first time for some of you. Couples therapy is not fun at times- it’s difficult and messy. I like to tell people that you may leave some sessions feeling like crap, and others where you feel on top of the world; especially when there has been an affair. If you choose to rebuild your relationship stronger and healthier, it’ll be worth the mess and work.

What to Expect With Online Counseling?

This is going to be the smallest section. Telehealth has been proven to be as effective as in person therapy. What does this mean? Telehealth works practically the same as in-person sessions. That is why this section is the smallest- it’s all the stuff from above! There do happen to be a few differences one might consider. One is that you don’t have a warm body in the room with you- aside from your partner. Some of you might feel that as a relief for many reasons (fear of judgement, worrying about catching COVID-19, etc.) While others might feel nervous for may reasons (what if my partner unleashes their anger on me?) The other difference is the logistical things- like using a computer and what room to have therapy in. Many questions you have about telehealth can be found on our telehealth faq page. Otherwise, you should expect the same level of care as an in-person session. If this didn’t happen to answer a question you might have, it’s also worth contacting us to get your question answered!

Help Can Be… Helpful!

            If this is your reality right now, and you’re experiencing the unearthing of your relationship due to an affair or infidelity you will probably need assistance from a trained professional. Not saying you don’t have the capacities to do it on your own, seeing that most people are very resilient. What I am suggesting is that it doesn’t hurt to get some help from someone who has the knowledge and experience to guide you in the most efficient and caring way. Telehealth is a convenient and efficient way to receive help- even when there is not a pandemic going on. It has been shown to be as beneficial as in person therapy. If your relationship has been wounded from an affair or infidelity, seeking help in any platform- telehealth or in person- can help. Why not give it a try?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Molly Lyons | Counselor
Individual Counseling, Couples Therapist & Marriage Counselor

Molly earned her Master of Science in Clinical Counseling at Central Methodist University (CMU) and is a PLPC counselor at The Counseling Hub. She has been an intern at 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 enjoys working with diverse populations and seeks to always be open to new learning experiences. She 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. Molly 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.