Michelle Abella, PsyD, LP
I am a Licensed Psychologist currently practicing in Olathe, KS. I am currently accepting BCBS of KC, Aetna, Tricare, United, and self pay clients at this time. I grew up in Lenexa and am thrilled to be able to provide services to this wonderful and thriving community. I graduated from Texas Christian University (GO HORNED FROGS!) in 2000 and received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2006. I have been licensed as a Psychologist since 2007 and have experience with both outpatient and inpatient mental health services. I am married and have two wonderful children. My hobbies include recreational activities, socializing with friends, and being with family. I enjoy cheering on my sports teams (GO CHIEFS!), and feel it is of paramount importance to keep a healthy balance between physical wellness and emotional well-being. If you are looking for a clinician who understands the work-life balancing act, I would be a great resource.
My passion is connecting with and helping others. I specialize in helping women in any stage of pregnancy or postpartum gain control over their mental health so that they can transition between roles with confidence!
I pride myself on being a genuine person and am typically able to build a quick rapport with clients. I feel humbled when being invited to participate in and be witness to others' life journeys. Every individual is unique and presents a different set of strengths and growth areas. I will provide a collaborative approach to tackling life's issues while increasing your ability to see your gifts, accept yourself, and build resilience. I am also well-versed in the emerging field of nutritional psychology and the gut-brain axis. I would be happy to discuss how nutrition plays a role in your overall wellness and mental health. **My caseload is currently FULL and I am NOT accepting new clients at this time**
With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado Christian University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the state of Kansas. I also hold a license for School Counseling through the Kansas State Department of Education, however, currently I am not a practicing School Counselor. In addition, I am a Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors. I accept Medicaid and Self-Pay clients.
I am very dedicated and passionate about my work as a counselor. I specialize in working with clients from school age to adult. I am eager to expand my knowledge and understanding of mental health, in fact, I can confidently say that I have dedicated my life to continuously learning as much as I possibly can about Psychology and mental health. The aspect of being a counselor that I love the most is the fact that I work within a field and environment conducive for making an impact through compassion and genuine care within the lives of others. I personally would not want to spend my one life that I have been given any other way.
As a counselor, it is my mission to empower every individual to become the healthiest version of themselves as we build an effective therapeutic alliance together. It is my aim to guide each individual by utilizing empathy, courage, compassion, confidentiality, and unconditional positive regard. Through a culturally sensitive lens, it is my desire to walk with each client through their personal struggles and hardship in a direction towards positive change, personal growth, autonomy, and awareness for self and others all while pursuing the establishment and maintenance of health and wellness.
Welcome and congratulations on taking the first step in your journey of healing. With 10+ years experience working with adults struggling with stressful life events, I am passionate about helping others learn to cope and break the cycle of generational trauma. I am an LMSW grad from the University of Kansas and I’m certified in Mental Health First Aid. I accept Medicaid and Self-Pay clients.
My professional specialties include overcoming trauma, radical acceptance and reframing negative cognitions in order to assist you in leading a more healthy, positive life. Accountability and self-regulation are crucial in this process. My personality is gentle, but direct and contributes to my patients achieving progress and growth in a firm, but nurturing way from the very beginning of our work.
I have assisted patients to cope and manage anxiety and depression, depression associated with chronic pain, multiple mental health disorders, trauma, fear based disorders, PTSD and relationship problems.
My approach to treating most issues is the utilization of CBT and DBT methods in order to learn effective coping skills and self-regulation techniques. I lean strongly on the Social Learning Theory which emphasizes all beings are a product of their environment. In other words, often we must “unlearn” what we’ve been taught about ourselves in order to become the person we want to be.
In addition to being a mental health therapist, I am also a wife of 26 years and mother of three beautiful daughters! I value the family unit and have dedicated my life and career to the healthy development and improved function of others so as to disrupt generational trauma and promote safe, healthy, loving interpersonal relationships.
I am grateful to be able to contribute to the success and happiness of others in this capacity and I am blessed beyond measure to be able to do the work I love every single day.
Amanda Bargallo, LSCSW
Welcome! Whether life is difficult for you right now or going fairly smoothly, therapy can offer you additional support, insight, and coping strategies. Perhaps you have previously sought out therapy or this is your first time, either way you are taking an important step in self-care. A little about me,…I am a LSCSW in Kansas and a LCSW in Missouri. I have a wide variety of experience from inpatient to outpatient psychiatric care to case management to child welfare to juvenile justice to private practice.
My clinical training includes play therapy, family therapy, CBT, and DBT. I work with adults, teens, children (5+), and families through a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. In addition to my education, training, and clinical experience, perhaps the most important experience has been as a fellow human being who has also benefited from therapy.
Therefore, it is my hope to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for you to process relationship dynamics, address symptoms, and gain new tools to live a meaningful life. My patients have described me as a warm, engaging, and down-to-earth therapist who is committed to helping them reach their goals. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I accept self-pay, BCBS of KC and Aetna clients. I look forward to speaking with you! **My caseload is currently FULL and I am NOT accepting new clients at this time**
Beth Merz, LCPC, LPC
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri who works with children and adolescents between the ages of 3 -17. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. With over 20 years of experience working with children in various settings, I help those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, attachment and relationship issues, and difficulties related to ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning differences.
I integrate a variety of therapeutic modalities into my practice with children and adolescents and have received specialized training in Theraplay, Play Therapy, Music Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC). I strive to create a safe space for children to heal and work through their most
difficult experiences, but also a space for them to create, learn about themselves, and grow new skills. I work collaboratively with parents and want them to feel supported and heard throughout their child’s therapeutic process too. I provide both individual and family therapy sessions, and currently accept self-pay, BCBS, Aetna, and United Healthcare.
As a lifelong learner, I plan to return to school next year to pursue a doctoral degree in
educational school psychology. Outside the therapy office, you can often find me
presenting at local and national conferences as well as providing parent-child
workshops in the area.
Sarah Okun, LSCSW
I have a passion for learning, growing, and adapting through difficult times. I aim to challenge my clients and push you just enough outside your comfort zone to elicit growth and sustainable change. My client population ranges from teens into late adulthood and focuses on chronic stress, depression, grief and loss, acute and complex trauma, and life transitions. Most of my clients are experiencing relationship issues and transitions, career struggles, or just general overwhelm juggling all the things that life throws at us.
For the last 3 years, I have worked as an inpatient residential psychotherapist, specializing in those experiencing PTSD, trauma, sexual abuse, and relationship issues. I’ve learned that most of our unhelpful and problematic patterns stem from behaviors that helped us survive through our childhood and early adulthood.
Through a holistic, trauma-informed, and direct approach, we will work together so you can move through your unhelpful patterns to create a future that better serves you. I work with teens and adults and provide individual, family, and couples therapy. I accept self pay, BCBS, and United Healthcare.
For Medication Services, we recommend:
Marissa Lahey, APRN-BC
https://marissapsychiatry.com/default.html