Our Experts

Discover our Kansas City team of top-quality therapists and counselors. Door of Hope’s team of therapists can help you build on your strengths, and develop the skills necessary to grow, heal and recover from anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems. We serve Kansas City, Overland Park, KS, and the surrounding areas.

Molly Callahan received her Master’s in School Counseling at Emporia State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Molly is extremely passionate about her clients and believes in empowering them at every stage. Her experience in the school system, ranging from coaching to school counseling, demonstrates her passion for working with teens. Molly enjoys supporting teens through their formative years, helping them develop healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and foster emotional well-being. Whether your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, peer relationships, or academic pressure, Molly provides a safe and welcoming space to accomplish goals.

 

Molly works with teens, young adults, adults, and couples. She believes in a strong therapist-client relationship. It is essential for the client to be heard and understood. Molly specializes in a multitude of areas including anxiety and panic disorders, depression, trauma, emotional management, life transitions, grief, and interpersonal relationships. Molly uses several different techniques to help her clients including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy. As someone who has been an active participant in her own recovery from anxiety related issues, Molly wholeheartedly believes in the power of the therapy she conducts. When working with couples, Molly utilizes the Gottman method to help couples build a more satisfying and lasting connection.

Kelsey Bartrum is completing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Previously, Kelsey received her B.S. in Biology from Ohio Dominican University. She also is a certified facilitator for pre-marriage counseling through SYMBIS.

Kelsey understands that the joy and peace we seek in life can be met with anxiety, pain, and many other challenges that can feel overwhelming to walk through alone. Meeting her clients wherever they are in life, Kelsey is passionate about humbly serving her clients based on their unique lived experiences. She is committed to creating a space grounded in compassion, trust, and empathy to help her clients feel safe and heard. With a heart committed to service, Kelsey seeks to help clients navigate their unique challenges and foster hope and purpose for the future.

She is passionate about providing support to clients of all ages. She has unique professional experience working with children with autism, behavioral issues, and the neurodivergent community in a play-based setting. More of her interests include but aren’t limited to anxiety, depression, premarital couples, teens, spirituality, young adults, identity struggles, and religious trauma.

She values approaching the therapeutic process from a holistic perspective, knowing that there are many important factors influencing the way we experience the world.

Anne Mercer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Mid America Nazarene University, with an emphasis in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. Anne also holds a Master of Science in Nursing and spent forty years practicing and teaching nursing before transitioning to the counseling profession. Anne has a diverse experience in community counseling clinical setting working with individuals and couples who are experiencing stress, conflict, relationship difficulties and other types of therapy such as anxiety, depression, and life changes.

Anne completed two master’s degrees, Master of Science in Nursing Education and Master of Art in Counseling. Anne was a nurse for forty years working in the neonatal intensive care unit as well as teaching at the university level. Anne is a Licensed Professional Counselor where she integrates faith and research-based theories. Anne utilizes person-centered, integrative and holistic approaches with her clients. Anne works with women’s life transitions, children leaving for college, career, or marriage, going through perimenopause, menopausal, and postmenopausal, career changes, separation/divorce. Anne also works with couples on communication, re-igniting the relationship, raising children and after the children leave the nest.

Anne also has a therapy dog, Jewel, who joined her in practice in September 2024. Jewel is a Golden Doodle who has gone through training to help her become a therapy dog. She is friendly, playful, but settles when therapy begins. Anne and Jewels goal is to create an environment that is warm and encouraging to her clients knowing that true change and growth is the responsibility and the accomplishment of the clients’ hard work.

Michael received his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is also a Licensed Masters Addiction Counselor and has over 25 years of clinical experience treating dual diagnosis clients. It is important to Michael that each person who walks through his doors receives thorough assessment and treatment that fits their real-life circumstances.

Over the last 25+ years, Michael has worked with a diverse population of clients as a residential counselor (i.e. dual diagnosis, homeless and low SES, LGBTQ+ population, intergenerational trauma, etc). Although Michael is competent in treating a wide variety of diagnoses, the most common concerns he treats are Substance Use Disorders and Addiction, Family Members of Addicts, Trauma, Grief, Severe Persistent Mental Illness, Personality Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, and Cognitive Disorders.

Michael is passionate about providing an effective, integrated, and client-centered approach to the treatment of all mental health concerns and strives to provide to you a safe and comfortable space for the healing to begin. Michael is familiar with and uses a unique and personalized combination of many theories, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Jenna Barton received her Master’s and Education Specialist degree in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She utilizes a person-centered, integrative, collaborative, and holistic approach to work with clients to establish and reach their goals in healing and treatment. She strives to create a warm, welcoming, supportive, and empowering therapeutic environment in which clients can navigate any unique challenges they are facing.

Jenna has experience treating issues related to anxiety and depression, motherhood, adjustment/life transitions, children and childhood trauma, challenges of poverty, and more. Since working at a Title I elementary school and child advocacy center, she enjoys working with families, school professionals, and other community stakeholders in a collaborative manner. Working as a multi-systemic therapist in St. Louis also confirmed her desire to work collaboratively and from an integrative mindset.

Faith Scott spent 25 years in the education world as both a K-12 Educator and then Elementary Counselor after receiving her Masters Degree in Counseling from Emporia State University in 2011. She has since become a Licensed Professional Counselor joining Doors of Hope. She has a wide range of experiences working with all ages, treating issues with anxiety, depression, family transitions, school issues, self-esteem, trauma, identity development (cultural, spiritual, sexual, gender identity, etc.), religious trauma, deconstruction, self-awareness/esteem/acceptance/love, including being an open and affirming LGBTQIA+ Ally. She works with individual children, ages 5 and up, as well as adolescents, teens, and adults. She utilizes client-centered and collaborative approaches, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, and more. Also, a Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), she integrates Polyvagal Theory and gentle, somatic movement, along with breathwork techniques to help with mindfulness, calming, and focus. 

Faith has personal and professional competence working with individuals navigating infertility issues, cultural identity, faith reconstruction, adoption, grief/loss, and recovery. She is passionate about creating a welcoming therapeutic space where clients can feel seen, safe, and affirmed. 

Rachael DeKoning received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Kansas State University. She has been actively helping clients since 2011. Her training allows her to provide individual, couple, family, and group therapy with all ages.

Rachael has experience treating issues related to depression, anxiety, trauma, couple and family relationships, child-behavioral problems, family of origin problems, blended families, life transitions, chronic illness, women’s issues and much more. Rachael has specialized experience treating addiction and has received her License in Addiction Counseling (LAC). She is also considered an expert in one of the most up to date mental health theories-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy but uses a wide variety of research proven theories based on individual client needs.

Other areas of specialization and interest include military family issues, conflict resolution and mediation, severe anxiety disorders including OCD and comorbidity, couples therapy including infidelity and domestic violence, and faith integration and recovering from religious trauma.

Adam Clement is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). He received a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University and a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University.  He has been practicing in Kansas City since 2014.

Adam has had experience and training working with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of presenting problems including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, marital conflict, divorce, and adjustment disorders. Adam has had additional training in Emotionally Focused Couples’ Therapy (EFT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gottman Method Couples’ Therapy, and is Prepare/Enrich certified.

Joanna Ramirez received her Master of Arts in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University, focusing on Marriage, Couple, and Family counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and completed her internship at Abundant Life Counseling, where she integrated faith and research based theories. Joanna meets clients where they are at theoretically while operating largely from an emotion-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy lens. Joanna has spent 8 years in the medical field, which offers a unique and specialized view to those who may be working in the medical field or currently facing medical issues. Joanna mainly works with individuals ages 12 and up and has experience in couple and family counseling as well. She works with a variety of concerns including but not limited to addictions, depression, anxiety, couples, burn out, and more. Personal and professional experience has led to Joanna is especially passionate about working with anxiety, premarital couples, teens, identity concerns (LGBTQIA+, cultural, spiritual etc), and chronic illness.In the counseling room, Joanna tries to create an environment that is open, accepting, and peaceful. Her goal is to make sure her clients feel safe to share all their thoughts, even the most difficult ones. All emotions are welcomed in her space and explored and examined.

Recieving her BA in Psychology from KU and her MS in Clinical Counseling with an Addictions concentration from ESU, Tara is a fully licensed LPC in Kansas. She is also working towards her second degree, Art Therapy in Counseling from Emporia State University to become a KS registered Art Therapist (ATR). Additionally, her PLPC license and MAADC II credential, allow Tara to work with Missouri clients struggling with substance use disorders and a variety of mental health issues.

Tara enjoys individual psychotherapy, guiding clients through the healing benefits of art making, and facilitating group therapy. With a passion for working with individuals pursuing recovery from substance abuse or healing from the various forms of trauma (physical, mental, or sexual abuse), Tara looks forward to building strong therapeutic alliances with individuals, families, and couples. From youth to the old elderly, from marginalized communities living with daily oppression or individuals struggling with eating disorders, Tara hopes to a meet the mental health and well-being needs of a variety of individuals in different life stages. Tara is so grateful to join Doors of Hope Counseling!

Mason Clegg, a proud lifelong resident of Kansas City, is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Avila University. With a deep curiosity about how things work, Mason has a particular passion for neuroscience and psychology. This interest drives a desire to understand the complexities of the human mind and behavior,
enriching Mason’s approach to therapy.

Mason is passionate about fostering personal growth and well-being, viewing counseling as a collaborative journey where clients, who have the deepest insight into their own lives, chart the path. He is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their life goals in a balanced and meaningful way. Mason believes in taking a holistic approach that emphasizes mental, physical, and spiritual health, understanding that these aspects are interconnected in promoting overall well-being.
Mason sees clients of all ages but is particularly interested in working with individuals aged 13-24, a formative period often marked by significant personal and developmental changes. By supporting clients on their unique pathways, Mason aims to provide a safe and empathetic space for exploring challenges, building resilience, and achieving
personal aspirations.

Mandy Hubbard received her Masters of Arts in Counseling in 2013 from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a
focus on marriage and families. She has additional training in EMDR, Exposure and Response Prevention, sex addiction, and trauma informed yoga techniques. Therapies used include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Theory. Mandy likes to blend her knowledge of relational health with your desires and goals to produce a more healthy and freeing life beyond the therapy room.

She works with people from numerous different backgrounds on a variety of issues. With a heart for relationships and
healing, Mandy desires to see people connect their mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. She helps adults and
adolescents who struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, identity, relational issues, and more.
Working from an attachment perspective and drawing from experiential and solution-focused therapies, she loves
helping people reduce conflict with others, figure out their own wants and take accountability of those wants and
boundaries.

No story is too much – whatever your history, Mandy wants to help you overcome past trauma so you can move forward to a hopeful future. Together you can build resources, support, resiliency, and strength in the face of instability.

Emily Stier is a Licensed Professional Counselor and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wheaton College, with a certificate in trauma. Emily is experienced in working with a variety of individuals, couples, and families in the private practice setting.

She utilizes gold standard techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients reach their goals. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to effectively address trauma in her clients’ lives.

Emily’s areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, relational conflict, OCD, eating disorders, life transitions, identity development, faith integration/church hurt, and grief. She would be honored to walk alongside you in your journey of growth and healing.