The Complete Guide to Finding the Best Therapist in Lee’s Summit for You
Young adult talking with therapist
I recently relocated my therapy and counseling practice to Lee’s Summit, where I started my private practice nearly 25 years ago. It’s comforting to be near home. Lee’s Summit has been my home for almost three decades. When we first toured houses here, I instantly felt a sense of belonging. I continue to cherish the community, local businesses, and the parks and trails.
But even in a welcoming place like Lee’s Summit, MO, life can feel overwhelming. There will be times when you seek support outside yourself to navigate challenges in life and relationships. If you’ve been looking for a therapist in Lee’s Summit, MO, who can help you stay true to yourself and understand how difficult it can be to sift through long lists of profiles and websites, then that’s what I’m here to assist you with today.
My goal is to help you simplify your search so you can feel more hopeful about finding the support that best meets your personal needs and therapy goals.
Finding the Best Therapist for You Matters
Many of my clients view therapy as a gift they give themselves, and they want to feel that the person they choose to work with understands them. They may already struggle to be themselves and speak up in their relationships, so they want to feel freer to bring their whole selves into the therapy room.
Choosing a therapist who feels right for you is a very personal decision. You are trying to decide who you will trust with some of your deepest fears and your biggest dreams. You want to feel comfortable talking to them. And you want to feel confident they can help you.
Even if parts of you are afraid of what the therapist might think, you want to feel comfortable enough to share all of yourself with them. This is because the quality of the therapeutic relationship is just as important as the therapist's competence. You can get a sense of how comfortable you’ll feel talking to them before the first session if they offer a free initial phone call.
“Choosing a therapist that is right for you is a personal decision, so begin your search within.” ~ Marci Payne
Before you begin your search, take a moment to consider what qualities you're looking for in a therapist. Do you prefer someone direct and challenging, or practical and forward-moving? Or a compassionate space to discuss your life? I’ve been told I’m a good mix of all these, both compassionate and direct. Keep these in mind before we go further.
Understanding the Different Types of Therapists in Lee's Summit
If you're looking for a therapist in Lee’s Summit, you'll find many mental health providers to choose from. Consider what knowledge and experience you want your therapist to have before deciding who to work with. However, you don’t need to focus solely on their specific degree or license. Just make sure they are licensed and trained in the area where you need help.
And if you're really curious about what those letters behind people's names mean, here’s a brief explanation:
LMFTs (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists): Have specialized training in relationships and working with families and couples.
LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers): Can provide mental health counseling and connect clients with community resources.
Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): Offer therapy and sometimes conduct psychological testing.
LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors): Are trained in mental health counseling and experienced in providing individual therapy.
Any of these licenses are trained in providing therapy. I am an LPC who specializes in individual therapy for people-pleasers, empaths, and adults recovering from emotionally abusive relationships. This means that, in addition to my graduate training in Clinical Psychology, I have post-graduate training in trauma-informed therapy for those who tend to lose themselves in their relationships.
While the training paths of therapists in Lee’s Summit may differ, what matters most is how comfortable and supported you feel when talking to the provider. Look beyond their degrees, and you'll see that most therapists have specialized training beyond their educational background. Many choose paths of study that interest them, giving you the chance to find someone who truly understands the challenges you want to address.
Therapy and Counseling Approaches Available in Lee's Summit
Therapy and counseling in Lee’s Summit come in many forms. When people think about therapy, most think of talk therapy, or two people having a conversation. This is the most traditional form of therapy. However, talk therapy can also encompass a range of therapeutic approaches.
Unless you already have a strong preference for a specific modality, you don’t need to include this in your therapist search. However, if you're curious about some of the many therapy approaches available in Lee’s Summit, here are a few I know are offered:
IFS (Internal Family Systems): Helps clients find inner harmony and healing by guiding them to work with different parts of themselves.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing): A specific technique and process for healing from trauma.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): A therapy approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns.
Children & Teen Therapy: Specialized training, which may include play therapy, for working with children and teens.
Couples & Families: Specialized training in working with more than one person at a time, whether in couples or family settings.
Trauma-informed: A general approach to therapy that recognizes the role trauma plays in a person’s life and relationships.
LGBTQAI+ Affirming: Specialized training to help clients address identity concerns and population-specific challenges from a framework that affirms who you are and whom you love.
I gravitate toward therapeutic modalities that go beyond just thinking about the problem and include the wisdom of the body, heart, and social context to support the client's healing. As a trauma-informed, IFS-inspired, and LGBTQAI+ affirming therapist, I meet clients where they are.
I am skilled at breaking down complex situations and relationship issues into manageable steps you can take between sessions. I also have specialized training in IFS, which helps you connect with your core self and become a resource to yourself regardless of what you face in life. Some of my clients choose to talk, while others prefer me to guide them through internal processing during sessions. Either way, my clients can decide what feels best for them each time.
Practical Steps in Searching for a Therapist
Now that you understand some of the options available, let’s go over the practical steps for finding a therapist. This will bring you one step closer to choosing the right therapist for you.
Here are a few steps I recommend if you're starting your search for a therapist:
Get clear on what you need. Are you looking for individual or couples therapy for yourself, or therapy for your child? Write down the problems and goals you want to address in therapy, along with how you want to feel or be after completing it. These are key points to share with a potential therapist, allowing you to gauge their response.
Identify your personal preferences and budget. You might have many preferences when it comes to your therapist’s style, modality, shared values, or identities, or you might be more focused on practical concerns like their location, fee, available appointment times, and whether they offer online or in-person sessions. Keep writing down whatever feels important to you.
+ Pro-tip: Figure out your monthly therapy budget before reaching out to prospective therapists so you know what you’re comfortable investing.
Utilize therapist directories and personal referrals. Once you have identified your preferences, start your search. If you have friends or family members who love their therapist, ask for recommendations. If not, use your preferences to begin your search online with terms like “counseling (or therapy) near me.” Or use more specific terms like specialty + city (e.g., holistic therapist Lee’s Summit). From there, you'll either see a list of therapist directories like Psychology Today or a Google Maps list of therapists near you.
+ Pro-Tip: Visit the therapist’s website and read their content. Notice how their words make you feel. If they don’t resonate, keep moving your search along.
Begin a conversation with a few therapists. Once you find a few therapists whose websites make you feel seen, schedule a free initial consultation with them. This phone call will help you get a sense of what it would be like to talk with them.
When you find a therapist with whom you feel more comfortable talking and who matches your preferences, then it’s time to set up your first appointment. (To hear me explore these four practical steps to finding a therapist that is right for you, watch this short video here.)
Get Personalized Support
I hope this guide has been helpful and makes you feel more confident in finding a therapist who provides the support you need. If you're seeking a therapist in Lee’s Summit, MO, support is available. Whether you're healing from an emotionally abusive relationship, managing anxiety linked to people-pleasing, or seeking to reduce the influence of the past on your present, therapy can be beneficial.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist
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In Lee’s Summit, people use the words interchangeably. Counseling and therapy both focus on getting you the support you need. It’s more important to understand the therapist (or counselor)’s style and specialties.
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You can either call your insurance company and get a list of therapist’s in-network. Or you can use therapist directories, such as Alma, Mental Health Match, or Psychology Today to refine your search. In this way, you can both look for your therapy preferences and insurance in one place. I’m currently in-network with UHC in MO, and Aetna in both KS & MO. (Pro-Tip: You can ask your insurance company what portion of the session fee you will be responsible for. Or some therapists will be able to gather this information for you.)
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In Lee’s Summit, therapy costs range from $80 to over $200, depending on the therapist. My fee for individual therapy sessions range from $135-$150/session, depending on the length of the session. (Pro-Tip: You may be able to lower your costs for therapy by: using insurance or employee assistance program, working with a counselor-in-training, finding a therapist that offers a sliding scale, or going to a community mental health center.)
Author: Marci Payne, MA, LPC, LCPC
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and Kansas, with a private practice located in Lee’s Summit, MO. Her expertise includes individual therapy for people-pleasers, empaths, and adults recovering from emotionally abusive relationships. Marci provides both online and in-person sessions and is recognized as a non-traditional, holistic, and inclusive therapist. (Find out more about her work here.)