Laurie Carpenter is dually licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Kansas and Missouri. Laurie is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, (CCTP) who is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Laurie is the CEO of Authentic Life Clinical Counseling and Wellness in Independence, MO. Laurie takes a strengths based approach to therapy and strives to create a warm and welcoming environment. In her free time she enjoys her family, friends, faith and football.
Rachael graduated from University of Central Missouri in 2018 and went on to get her Masters in Social Work (MSW) at Park University and graduated in 2019. Rachael recently received her LCSW and is working full time as a social worker in a middle school. Rachael works part time at Authentic Life, LLC providing individual therapy and as needed at Signature Psychiatric Hospital in the outpatient setting facilitating group therapy. Rachael has previous experience in community mental health working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and working in adult inpatient psychiatric care.
Rachael enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults and finds her passion partnering with clients to improve their ability to manage their symptoms and understand their emotions. Rachael takes a person-centered approach to therapy and meets clients where they are at. Rachael is competent in treating depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and improving social skills. Rachael welcomes and consistently works to create a safe environment for individuals of diverse backgrounds and orientations. In her free time Rachael enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her cats, watching the Chiefs, gardening, and reading.
Dianna is a licensed Master Social Worker, receiving clinical supervision. Dianna graduated from Kansas State University in 2019, and completed her Masters in Social Work from the University of Missouri. She has a bachelor's in nutrition and a bachelor's in kinesiology.
She is also the winner of our 2023, Student of the Year Award, for all of her hard work during her practicum at Authentic Life.
She uses a strengths-based approach to help clients understand their best selves.
Dianna focuses on working with individuals who have experienced trauma, individuals in the military, athletes, and couples. She uses a primarily cognitive approach to help clients understand how trauma can impact their lives and relationships in various ways. Dianna is trained in EMDR.
Dianna works with children and adults ages 10 and up. She provides individual, couples and group therapy.
Matt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who originally hails from California. After earning his Masters degree in 2015, Matt served as a clinical program manager at Children's Home of Stockton, teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to adolescent males. Matt has also had the privilege of working with older adults, providing individual psychotherapy in various settings which include skilled nursing facilities.
He is in network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC, and Optum.
He enjoys working with clients ages 9 and up who seek help with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, trauma, grief, and emotional regulation.
"I did not come into this work on accident. I believe that therapists can only take people as far as they have journeyed themselves. I am here because I have had my own struggles, sadness, hurt, trauma and growth and it has led me to become passionate about the ability we have to heal. I believe that being truly seen, truly understood, and having someone to help guide you through the challenges of life is profoundly powerful to our happiness, wholeness and experience of the world and each other.
I have been doing this work for nearly 6 years and specialize in offering DBT, GESTALT, EMDR and CBT to people whom have experienced grief, loss, have low self-esteem, trauma, anxiety and depression. I have done extensive work with people whom have BPD and love that work deeply. I use a combination of these modalities and client centered work to learn and understand you, while helping you learn about and understand yourself.
I have been trained in the above modalities and used them in my own therapy. I have worked for several years with co-occurring disorders, and severe and persistent mental health disorders. This job is my passion and I am so grateful I get to do it."
Amber is in network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC, and Optum.
Amber works with children and adults ages 10 and up. She provides individual, couples and family therapy.
Tisha Griffith is gaining hours to become a Substance Abuse Counselor. Tisha specializes in life and coping skills, women's issues, addiction recovery and dual diagnosis. Tisha has been in recovery from substances for more than 2 years now. She is passionate about helping others achieve their own level of success by working alongside the clinical staff to provide individual peer coaching through a myriad of life situations. Tisha is a group co-facilitator.
Tisha is also the first person you talk to when you reach out to Authentic Life in Independence. She assesses your needs and sets you up with a therapist best suited for your particular situation.
In her free time she enjoys her family, service work and recovery based activities.
Pastor Thomas Miller is a highly experienced professional biblical counselor and life coach, dedicated to helping individuals find healing, restoration, spiritual maturity, and personal growth through the application of biblical principles. With a strong foundation in ministry and a deep understanding of human behavior, Pastor Miller has guided countless individuals on their journey to emotional, spiritual, and relational well-being.
Education and Credentials:
Thomas holds a Master of Management and Leadership degree, equipping him with valuable skills in leadership development and organizational management, which allows him to counsel working professionals. He further pursued a Bachelor's degree in Christian Counseling, combining his passion for ministry with his desire to provide effective counseling rooted in faith. Pastor Miller has also obtained an Emotional Intelligence (EQi) Coach Certification, enabling him to guide clients in understanding and managing their emotions effectively. Additionally, he holds a SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) Coach Certification, allowing him to assist couples in building strong and lasting marriages.
Ministry Experience: With over 10 years of ministry experience, John has served as a trusted advisor and counselor to individuals seeking spiritual guidance and support as both a Certified Chaplain and a licensed and ordained Pastor. Through his compassionate and empathetic approach, he has provided biblical counseling to individuals dealing with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and spiritual growth. John's expertise lies in integrating biblical principles with evidence-based counseling techniques to address the holistic needs of his clients.
Specializations: As a biblical counselor and life coach, Thomas Miller specializes in the following areas:
By combining his extensive ministry experience, educational background, and specialized certifications, Miller is dedicated to empowering individuals to live purposeful and fulfilling lives, rooted in faith and guided by biblical principles.
Dr. Amy Poindexter, PhD, is a licensed Counseling Psychologist in the state of Missouri. In college, Dr. Poindexter majored in Psychology, obtaining her BGS from the University of Kansas. She then went on to earn both her master’s and doctoral degrees (Counseling Psychology) from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. After completing her accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center, she was able to join the team at Eastern Kansas VA Medical Center working in the Domiciliary (a dual-diagnosis residential treatment program).
Dr. Poindexter has worked with clients across the behavioral healthcare system, from acute psychiatric units, to residential programs, to outpatient behavioral health counseling. Therefore, she has been able to gain experience working with clients at all stages of change, from those in acute distress, to those who are seeking to maintain and/or improve their overall well-being.
Overall, Dr. Poindexter knows (and research shows) building rapport is the most important factor in determining whether therapy will be effective. So, it's very important to her balance effective, empirically-based treatment with being a genuine, relatable person. As a Kansas City native, Dr. Poindexter is grateful both professionally and personally to be joining a hometown team where she can continue to help the community heal and grow.
Dr. Amy Poindexter, PhD, is in network with UHC, OPTUM, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and Tricare
Rafael J Campbell's passion is to assist individuals to achieve their life goals. His passion for empowering people has been the driving force behind his approach to therapy. He enjoys working with persons across the lifespan who struggle with mood and substance abuse disorders, grief, traumatic experiences, anxiety, and depression. Rafael works with clients to manage their mental health symptoms rather than be defined by them. He use a trauma-informed, somatic approach to therapy.
Rafael's training and experiences as a trauma, family, and child and adolescent therapist, allow him the ability to offer integrative clinical and somatic therapies by utilizing a balance of traditional strengths-based perspectives. This integrative approach allows him to address symptoms of trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, and conflict, individualized to the client's preferences.
In session, Rafael strives to create and maintain a safe, non-judgmental, and calming environment. It is his goal to assist you to discover long-lasting tools to overcome life's traumatic experiences. Rafael believes that people already have the skills needed to make positive changes and create balance in their lives. They sometimes just need a little help accessing them.
Rafael J Campbell, LPC is in the insurance credentialing phase of employment. He specializes in working with children, adolescents, adults and families. Rafael will be accepting Clients in May, 2024.
He will be in network with UHC, OPTUM, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and Tricare
Caitlyn is a clinical intern working towards a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Park University. She also recently graduated from Park University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Caitlyn has recently completed an internship at Synergy Children’s Advocacy Center. While interning, she was an advocate for children and families while guiding them through the processes of a forensic interview as well as the legal system. Caitlyn enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. While completing her clinical internship at Authentic life, Caitlyn's primary focus will be individual and group therapy with children, adolescents and young adults.
Caitlyn has accepted a position with Authentic Life as an Associate Therapist while she receives Clinical Supervision hours. Caitlyn will accept clients using Aetna, and Cigna benefits as well as Private Pay.
Chris Carpenter, CFO, CPS, specializes in life and coping skills, men's issues, addiction recovery and physical health and wellness.
Christopher has been in recovery many years and he is passionate about helping others find their path to sustainable recovery. He works alongside our therapists to provide individual peer coaching through a myriad of life situations. Chris is also the first person you talk to when you reach out to Authentic Life in Kansas City, MO. He will assess your needs and set you up with a therapist best suited for your particular situation.
In his free time he enjoys going to the gym, reading, leading life group with his faith family and going to live music shows with his wife.
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