Hi! I'm Alicia and I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Missouri and Kansas. I'm a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. I'm double board certified, having the NCC (National Certified Counselor) credential and the BC-TMH (Board-Certified Telemental Health) credential.
I've got a lot of interests when it comes to counseling, but I specialize in treating insomnia and in working with people with dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder and depersonalization/derealization.My approach is an eclectic one. This means that I use the approach I think will most benefit my clients. With insomnia, that is usually CBT-I (cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia).
For trauma and dissociation, it is a lot of person-centered and compassion-focused work. I am big on providing what is called "psychoeducation." That is, I want to explain to you why something is happening or why a tool works. I don't want you to do something just because I recommended it; I want to tell you about the research that supports it or how/why it works.
I've got a lot of interests when it comes to counseling, but I specialize in treating insomnia and in working with people with dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder and depersonalization/derealization.My approach is an eclectic one. This means that I use the approach I think will most benefit my clients. With insomnia, that is usually CBT-I (cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia).
For trauma and dissociation, it is a lot of person-centered and compassion-focused work. I am big on providing what is called "psychoeducation." That is, I want to explain to you why something is happening or why a tool works. I don't want you to do something just because I recommended it; I want to tell you about the research that supports it or how/why it works.
Services
I utilize CBT-I (cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia) to treat insomnia.
It is the gold standard for treatment of insomnia.
It's effective and it typically takes just 5-8 sessions.
This type of therapy is not like typical talk therapy.
I won't be asking you about your inner world (emotions).
This therapy involves changing certain behaviors which can contribute to insomnia or even prolong insomnia and it also looks at the way you think about sleep.
Some of the things we believe about sleep can also contribute to the insomnia.
It is the gold standard for treatment of insomnia.
It's effective and it typically takes just 5-8 sessions.
This type of therapy is not like typical talk therapy.
I won't be asking you about your inner world (emotions).
This therapy involves changing certain behaviors which can contribute to insomnia or even prolong insomnia and it also looks at the way you think about sleep.
Some of the things we believe about sleep can also contribute to the insomnia.
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, so I can work with PTSD and other traumas.
I have a special passion in helping people with dissociative disorders, including dissociate identity disorder which was once called multiple personality disorder.
Dissociative disorders can cause chaos in people's lives and make everyday life that much more difficult.
Dissociation, in a nutshell, is losing present-moment awareness.
Daydreaming is an example of mild dissociation.
While daydreaming, a person is somewhere else in their head and unaware of their body or what is going on around them.
I have a special passion in helping people with dissociative disorders, including dissociate identity disorder which was once called multiple personality disorder.
Dissociative disorders can cause chaos in people's lives and make everyday life that much more difficult.
Dissociation, in a nutshell, is losing present-moment awareness.
Daydreaming is an example of mild dissociation.
While daydreaming, a person is somewhere else in their head and unaware of their body or what is going on around them.
I wrote a LOT of words trying to describe what it's like to work with me and you can read some of them here.
And then I decided there was a better way: to have you meet me in person during a free consultation.
So I invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute video appointment.
Research has shown over and over that how comfortable you are with your therapist plays a huge role in the results you get.
You are investing your time, your money, and your energy into your therapy so you want to make sure it's a good fit.
And then I decided there was a better way: to have you meet me in person during a free consultation.
So I invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute video appointment.
Research has shown over and over that how comfortable you are with your therapist plays a huge role in the results you get.
You are investing your time, your money, and your energy into your therapy so you want to make sure it's a good fit.
When I opened my practice, I wanted a name that reflected what I want for my clients.
I found that when I stumbled across the Latin word "vitalis."
The root meaning of vitalis is "of life" or "vital."
And this is what I want for my clients: a vital life.
A life of vitality.
A life of meaning and growth.
Unfortunately, as I discovered, there is a certain age group who, instead, immediately thinks of the old hair gel!
But I guess that just makes it easier for some people to remember my name.
So, yes, Vitalis is an unusual name, but it perfectly encapsulates my mission as a therapist: to help people restore or create a life of meaning and vitality.
I found that when I stumbled across the Latin word "vitalis."
The root meaning of vitalis is "of life" or "vital."
And this is what I want for my clients: a vital life.
A life of vitality.
A life of meaning and growth.
Unfortunately, as I discovered, there is a certain age group who, instead, immediately thinks of the old hair gel!
But I guess that just makes it easier for some people to remember my name.
So, yes, Vitalis is an unusual name, but it perfectly encapsulates my mission as a therapist: to help people restore or create a life of meaning and vitality.
Although therapists cannot ask their clients for recommendations, we are allowed to utilize statements they've volunteered to us as long as we have permission.
This is done to make sure no clients ever feel obligated or pressured to give a recommendation that they don't want to give.
Below you will find both professional recommendations and real statements clients have made to me that they have give permission to share anonymously.
As a Nurse Practitioner working in sleep medicine I often treat patients with difficult insomnias.
This is done to make sure no clients ever feel obligated or pressured to give a recommendation that they don't want to give.
Below you will find both professional recommendations and real statements clients have made to me that they have give permission to share anonymously.
As a Nurse Practitioner working in sleep medicine I often treat patients with difficult insomnias.
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