Do you want a therapist who takes your needs and concerns seriously and actually calls you back? Are you seeking someone who will encourage you toward positive change and follow up on things that I say I will? That’s me. I’m Denise Mason, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. I have been licensed since 2019 and have worked my entire 29-year career helping those with mental health issues. I have experience helping adults and youth with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and difficulty adjusting to various challenges life can present. I use an eclectic approach to therapy that includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Enhancement, Insight-Oriented Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. My approach involves helping my clients understand themselves and increasing their skills to better manage their distress so they can feel and function well. Change is difficult without awareness, so I will work to help you increase your self-awareness. Awareness is difficult when you can’t think straight due to depression, anxiety, or other stressors, so working to calm the nervous system is an important part of our work together as well. I’m passionate about helping my clients feel heard and understood while providing the tools and skills necessary for self-empowerment toward their healing journey. I prioritize building a collaborative relationship with my clients to assist them in making lasting changes. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist with experience helping with relationship difficulties, trauma, work-related challenges, educational and disability-related issues, and important life transitions. I believe in treating everyone with respect, kindness, sensitivity, and compassion and will tailor our dialog and treatment to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to step toward living a more authentic and fulfilling life. I would love to support & empower you in that journey. I received my Master’s in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri, which included an internship working with sexual trauma survivors at Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital in Kansas City. I coordinated support and services for individuals with developmental disabilities through the Missouri Department of Mental Health for 11 years. Many of my clients also struggled with mental health and substance use issues. I transferred to the Department of Education, where I provided vocational counseling for 16 years. In this setting, I assisted youth and adults with a variety of mental health, learning, and physical challenges to achieve their career aspirations by providing counseling to help them overcome barriers. Most recently, I have provided intensive outpatient group and individual therapy in a hospital setting to older adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicidal thoughts. I have truly valued the opportunity to help every person throughout the years. On a more personal note, I’m on a continual journey of self-discovery and learning every day to promote my wellness, fulfillment, and personal happiness. I approach life with a growth mindset and the understanding we can all learn, pivot, and make adjustments to improve our lives. Learning never stops. I won’t pretend to know all of the answers, but I commit to helping you work toward finding yours.