Whitney Baldridge | MSW, lCsw
Individual Counseling & Therapy and Online Counseling & Therapy
Columbia, MO
My name is Whitney Baldridge. I’m a Clinical Therapist with The Counseling Hub in Columbia, Missouri, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.
I’m a good fit if you…
feel like you’re just going through the motions in life and want to live with more purpose;
can’t stop putting others needs before your own (even at a cost);
keep finding yourself in the same unfulfilling relationships, but aren’t sure why it happens or how to change things;
feel ignored or invalidated by your partner and want to figure out how to communicate more effectively and feel heard;
want to build your self-confidence;
can’t seem to move past a traumatic or distressing event and it’s getting in the way of you living your life;
are ready to heal from distressing or toxic family dynamics;
want to get rid of your frequent feelings of anxiety (racing thoughts, fast heart rate, or a knot in your stomach);
want help getting through a major life change, such as starting college, shifting careers, a change in relationship, or moving;
crave meaningful connections with others but struggle to create and then maintain those relationships.
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.
As your therapist, I strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to explore your own unique thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe you are the expert of your own life and, while I don’t have the exact answers, I’m able to listen and help you make the connections to better understand yourself and your view of the world. My goal is simply to provide support while I walk beside you on this journey.
Five Fun Facts About Whitney
I love music!
I’ve attended more than 20 music festivals in my life! I listen to music from the time I wake up in the morning to the time I fall asleep and I enjoy seeing live music as often as possible. For me, each song I hear can not only provoke a multitude of emotions, but also holds near and dear memories.I love animals.
I have two cats, Catsby and Catsanova. And yes, I do love a good pun! While I just have my cats now, I have had pigs, hedgehogs, dogs, and even turtles!Nature is beautiful.
I am such a “Look at the moon!” or “Look at the sunrise!” kind of person. I think nature is so beautiful. I love being outside and around any type of water. The sounds and views are so soothing to me!I’m a morning person.
I think the morning is so peaceful. I like to wake up early and have plenty of time to check in with myself and enjoy my coffee before I need to be somewhere.I’ve always wanted to be a therapist.
Even as a kid I would play therapist and have family members come to my “office” to talk about their problems. I would write gibberish on my little notebook and listen carefully to whatever they wanted to share. Now, with a lot more training and experience, I spend my time seeing real clients. :)
Whitney’s Education and Training
Whitney earned her Master of Social Work degree from University of Missouri and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri State University. Whitney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Missouri who has been working in mental health since 2015. Her experience includes various settings with diverse adult populations, including providing counseling to individuals with a lower socio economic background, case management with adults in the community requiring connection to community resources, and individual and group counseling in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
In her clinical work, Whitney uses a person-centered approach with a blend of various treatment modalities to best meet the needs of the client. Whitney has knowledge and training in various treatment modalities such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure, and Motivational Interviewing. Whitney is interested in working with individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, or relational issues. She is also interested in helping individuals who are looking to explore and connect with themselves to improve their quality of life.