Merideth Lehman, M.Ed. CCLS, LPC, RPT™
Owner/Director of Grace Counseling, LLC
Registered Play Therapist™
Theraplay Level 1
EMDR Trained
Email: [email protected]
Contact: 573-644-6128
Merideth became owner and director of Grace Counseling, LLC in September 2020. In 2017, Merideth began working as a professional counselor here at Grace Counseling, LLC while I continued her passion of being a Child Life Specialist at a children’s hospital. Nancy Hoey, the prior owner of Grace Counseling, built a space with so much love and compassion for anyone who needed a space for healing. Merideth is honored to continue to provide such a warm, safe and caring space and provide services to children, teens, adults and families on a full-time basis. Merideth is continuing her education to become a registered play therapist. Becoming a registered play therapist requires an additional 150 hours of education and supervision through the professional organization Association for Play Therapy. (www.apt.org) Merideth is currently trained in Child Centered Play Therapy, TheraPlay, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as have extensive training in child and family development, trauma, grief and working with children and families experiencing chronic illness.
Merideth received her master degree in Professional Counseling from Stephens College in 2013 and her bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies - Emphasis area Child Life Specialist from University of Missouri - Columbia in 1995. Merideth has spent the last 30 years working with children, adults and families in a variety of settings. Merideth has been a certified Child Life Specialist for 28 years helping children, teen and families cope with challenging situations they experience in the healthcare setting.
Merideth works with children, teens and adults of all ages
Speciaity Areas:
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Play Therapy
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Trauma
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Grief
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Anxiety and Depression
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Parent Concerns
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Emotional Regulation/Behavior Management
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School Related Issues
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Life Transitions
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Chronic Illness
Diane Barnes, MSW, LCSW
[email protected]
573-353-2201
Diane completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Clinical Social Work at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Diane has worked in the mental health field for 27 years and served populations involving children, families, adults, couples, and individuals. Her work experience includes inpatient and outpatient settings. Diane is a social worker who helps people in a genuine and compassionate manner.
Specialties include:
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Play therapy
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Anxiety and depression
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Families and couples
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Trauma
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Eating disorders
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Substance Abuse
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Life adustment issues
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Counseling for older adults
Diane was born and raised in the central Missouri area. Diane and her husband have one adult daughter and an amazing grandson. She enjoys wood-working, mosaic tiling, and playing with her active grandson.
Shamon Williams, LPC
Email: [email protected]
It's been said that in life we find ourselves entering a storm, going through a storm or leaving a storm. Perhaps you may find yourself stuck in the storm, unable to get past the feelings of doubt, frustration and hopelessness. If you feel alone and have been struggling with sadness, irritability, inability to sleep, constant worry, fear of making the wrong decisions, struggling with your confidence or identity I may be the right counselor for you. My career path has included working with adolescents and adults that are dealing with life transitions including loss, divorce, illness, anxiety, depression, trauma leaving abusive relationships and the feelings of struggling through and unfulfilled life.
With experience in private practice, mental health behavioral settings and more than 20 years of social work my philosophy of healing encompasses positive regard in a supportive environment, which embraces compassion, and goal setting while fostering confidence and resiliency in oneself. My treatment modalities incorporate an eclectic approach of mindfulness, motivational interviewing, person centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy systems as a method of challenging negative thought patterns and feeling more in control of your life. After your initial session you may very well very well feel a sense of calm and hope as we work together through your storm.
As we identify what your best life or situation would look like you will find me to be supportive, genuine, compassionate, accepting and growth oriented as we challenge some of the belief systems and behaviors that have obstructed you from living a fulfilling life.
Bree Winkler
Graduate Student Counselor
Masters Student of Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University
Supervisor: Merideth Lehman, CCLS.LPC, RPT™
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: 913-232-6370
Hello, my name is Bree Winkler, and I am currently a graduate student pursuing my degree of Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University. I will work under the supervision of Merideth Lehman, M.Ed., LPC, RPT, and my professors. I obtained my BS in Psychology, Pre- Counseling and I am finishing my last year of graduate school.
I have worked in health care as a Radiologic and Computed Tomography Technologist (CT) for the past 12 years. Working in family clinics, trauma and stroke centers, and the children’s hospital at the University of Missouri. Through these experiences, I recognized that I wanted to pursue an avenue that would allow me to be a resource for families to navigate the inevitable problems in their lives.
I have always had compassion towards others and found therapy helpful personally for myself and my family. After spending some time in my past career, feeling like I could do more and wanted a change, I jumped back into school during a pandemic while working in healthcare, raising children, building a home, and going through life’s adventures myself.
An inspiring quote that has pushed me to go for my goals that I would like to share with you in hopes of instilling that push to pursue your own:
“When it feels scary to jump in, that is exactly when you jump. Otherwise, you end up staying in the same place your entire life. And that I can’t do.” – Abel Morales
Marriage and Family Therapists view people and their difficulties through a systemic lens. This is viewing the person in conjunction with their families, friends, and professional and societal systems they are a part of. They are working with individuals and families to navigate issues they are experiencing.
I work with clients of any age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, religion, relationship status, disability, and health status.
I look forward to meeting you where you are today and working with you in the future!