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.

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 utilizes evidence-based practices in her work including client-centered, emotion-focused therapy. Anne has experience working with women through different transitions of life, working with healthcare providers, and working with couples. Anne believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach, using different counseling theories to match each individual client. The goal is to help clients work towards a future in which their challenges and difficulties are resolved.

Hanson Briggs is currently completing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Avila University. Hanson has always expressed an interest in philosophy, psychology and the arts, and carries a deep desire to help others recognize the heroism in their stories.

As an intern, Hanson desires to get experience with anything a client presents wanting help with but is especially interested in adolescent and young adult males (16-24), engaged couples in pre-marital counseling, and married couples. Issues he’s most excited to see include anxiety, depression, joblessness, nihilism, and in marriages he is training to treat infidelity, finances, religion, sex, communication problems and more.

Hanson is passionate about well-being and naturopathy. He prefers to look at problems from a holistic perspective—incorporating physiological, psychological, and spiritual analysis into his clinical theory. Rooted in a humanistic approach, Hanson values empathy and sincerity. He wants to thoroughly understand the problem and support clients through every emotion.

Dreams are a significant part of life, and proved to be an integral component in Hanson’s own therapeutic journey. He has become fascinated by the role that our dreams play in shaping our worldviews, and wants people to feel the courage to explore their deepest imaginations in a trustworthy and nonjudgmental setting. He has studied dream analysis for many years, and has developed a keen interest in the symbolism of dreams.

Relationship counseling is one of Hanson’s primary competencies. A studious listener and a patient problem-solver, he has great experience in mediation and conflict resolution. He understands that communication is of paramount importance to any successful relationship.

He considers marital and pre-marital counseling to be valuable at any stage of a committed partnership. Hanson is a strong advocate for healthy marriages and honest conversations. Infidelity, pornography, financial hardship, broken trust, indifference and spirituality are some very common problems that Hanson can assess with compassionate and confidential care.

Spirituality has become a hot-potato topic in popular culture, but Hanson considers this to be an inescapable dimension of human personality. All aspects of spirituality are worth discussion, and the wrestling match of faith is a matter of profound significance. He welcomes questions about deconstruction, nihilism, God, faith, suffering, grief, and anger.

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.

Luciana received her Master’s degree in Social Work with clinical concentration at the University of kansas. With a degree in Psychology she also received a certificate in Brain and Mind, and has been researching the effects of trauma in the brain ever since. Luciana is also fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and welcomes the opportunity to reduce barriers to mental health care for these populations.

Luciana is a highly skilled and compassionate licensed therapist with many years of experience helping individuals overcome challenges, discover their inner strength, and achieve personal growth. With a deep understanding of the human mind and behavior, Luciana utilizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches to create a safe and supportive environment for clients.

Drawing from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR, Luciana tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. Her integrative and client-centered approach ensures that individuals receive the most effective and personalized care.

Luciana’s expertise extends to various areas, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, relationship issues, stress management, grief and life transitions. She possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, and they are committed to providing culturally sensitive therapy to foster inclusivity and understanding.

Lauren received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Lauren knows that each person who walks through her door brings their own unique history, beliefs, and experience with them into the room. Lauren understands the environments we interact with and live in can have a direct impact on our lives and mental health. This is why she conducts therapy with an integrative and collaborative approach to allow sessions to be tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Lauren has experience treating issues related to perinatal mental health, eating disorders, self-esteem, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and more. After her training in PMADs and internship with eating disorders, helping individuals work through these is a passion of Lauren’s.

Lauren sees teens, young adults, and adults. She also works with couples and families. Beyond the client-centered approach, Lauren strives to meet the needs of her clients using a Psychoanalytic approach, and CBT.

Maleah Banker is currently working on her master’s degree in Counseling from Avila University. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology at Park University. Once she graduated from Park University, Maleah took a small break from school and started working at University Health in downtown Kansas City where she has worked for the last six years. In this time, Maleah has worked and continues to work with client’s who have co-occurring disorders.

Maleah has experience with a very diverse population of clients with a spectrum of ranging diagnoses. These include but are not limited to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and more. Maleah is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and welcomes clients of all backgrounds and cultures.

Through her professional experience at University Health, Maleah has received training in methods such as risk assessment, ongoing assessment of behavioral and psychosocial needs, motivational interviewing, client and family education, coordination of services with various providers, and assistance with learning necessary skills to promote wellness across life domains. Maleah has also taken several courses while working on her masters at Avila University on topics such as couples counseling, family systems, addiction, and more.

As a student and professional, Maleah is passionate about working and growing her skills in several areas. She wants to work with issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, eating disorders, sexuality, personality disorders, and more. Maleah is interested in working with individuals and couples.

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 24 years in the education world as a K-12 Educator and then Elementary Counselor after receiving her Masters Degree in Counseling from Emporia State University in 2011. She has since gone on to complete her course work at Mid-America Nazarene University to become a Licensed Professional Counselor before joining Doors of Hope.  She has a wide range of experiences working with children, teens, and families, treating issues relating to social skills, anxiety, depression, family transitions, school issues, self-esteem, trauma, identity development (cultural, spiritual, sexual, gender identity, etc.), empowerment, religious trauma and deconstruction, self-awareness/esteem/acceptance/love, including being an open and affirming LGBTQIA+ Ally. She utilizes the client-centered and collaborative approaches, as well as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, and more. She is also Certified Yoga Teacher, and utilizes the breathwork techniques and gentle, restorative movements to help with mindfulness, calming, and focus.

Abby Pollard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She utilizes a client centered approach to meet the needs of her clients across all stages of life with a special focus on teens and young adults. Abby works to provide a warm and inviting therapy setting that is centered around the client. Through various treatment interventions tailored to the client, you will work on cultivation of a support system, self-care, coping skills and overall life balance.

Abby has experience treating individuals with depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, life transitions, spirituality and suicidal thinking. Through her time working in patient at advent health, Abby has become especially equipped to work with individuals in crisis and during some of the most challenging times in their life. Other areas of focus include family conflict, grief, women’s issues, codependency, and mood disorders.

She works to best meet the needs of her clients using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, and more. Abby has a strong passion for treating the “whole-person”.

Alix Orrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas. Alix has experience and training in treating issues and diagnoses related to anxiety, depression, trauma, emotion regulation, personality disorders, identity development, life and career transitions, social skills, and more. Alix is experienced in working with children (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13-17), and adults (ages 18 and up). Alix has specialized personal and professional experience working with persons with chronic health conditions and physical and cognitive disabilities as well as personality disorders, harm reduction, emotion regulation, and crisis management stemming from her time at Lilac center, kids TLC and Marillac. Alix applies a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, play therapy, and more. As an LGBTQ+ ally, Alix welcomes clients of all orientations and identities, as well as all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and ethnicities, and strives to create an accepting and supportive environment for all individuals.

Reshma Freeman is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Clinical Complex Trauma Professional who has been practicing since 2017. Reshma graduated with her Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology at Avila University. She completed her internship at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assaults and at Crittenton Children’s Center.  Additionally, Reshma is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (pursuing consultations for certification), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Reshma welcomes cultures and ethnicities of all backgrounds. Reshma works with children between the ages of 5-12 years old, adolescents between the ages of 13-18 years old, and all adults. She hopes to continue to evolve as a clinician and a human being. Lastly, Reshma hopes to learn from her clients to serve them the best she can on their journey.

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.