About Cheri
I have been a licensed professional counselor (LPC) since 2005 and have been a registered nurse (RN) since 1987. Working in the healthcare industry for over 35 years, I am a very empathetic and compassionate individual. Of note, I am very stringent about confidentiality and having a safe and judgment-free practice. I will actively listen to your story and help plan a path of treatment that will best fit your needs. I have had a lot of personal experiences that have helped prepare me for this line of work and have contributed to me being a down-to-earth and relatable individual. Additionally, I have taken several trainings that allow me to offer therapies that can accelerate the healing process so that you feel better sooner.
I have always had an interest in psychology. I was one of those people who everyone came to with their problems, starting in grade school. Being there and helping people has always been second nature to me. Even while working as a nurse, I found myself gravitating towards patients who were struggling with challenges in their lives, outside of their physical health. After an encounter with an older woman who complained of chest pains that were found to be related to overwhelming anxiety, I realized that I was very passionate about serving in a counselor-type role. After obtaining my degree and licensure, I worked in a variety of mental health settings and made my own dream a reality when I opened my private practice in 2021 - Courageous Counseling, LLC.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in Nursing 1987, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
Master of Science in Nursing 1998, University of Missouri-KC, Kansas City, MO
Master of Arts in Counseling 2003, Covenant Seminary, St. Louis, MO
Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri, 2005
Certificate from PostPartum Support International (PSI) - Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders - 2021
Certificate from EMDR Training Center - EMDR - 2022
Certificate from Natural Process Trainings - Integrating Somatic Psychotherapy with EMDR Therapy - 2024
Environment that is a confidential, safe-haven…
My counseling style is warm and compassionate, as well as engaged and attentive. I will individualize your therapy and your sessions to fit you. I draw from a wide variety of counseling theories and research-based interventions, and utilize what I believe will be the most beneficial to you based specifically on your needs. Several modalities that I often use include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS/parts work), Client-Centered Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). Additional tools that I employ frequently are mindfulness-based techniques, coping and grounding strategies, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Process - Oriented Somatic Psychotherapy with EMDR (Natural Processing or NP).
When I am not counseling, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also have a lot of fun with my 2 golden retrievers, Sophie and Sugar. My hobbies include reading, writing, outdoorsy and water activities, and crafting. And on top of the list, I am always ready to watch a movie (Shawshank Redemption!) or take a trip to the beach!
