


Counseling for
Veterans and First Responders
Near Kansas City in Liberty MO
The following therapists are able to provide counseling to first responders. First Responders include those serving in the military, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, doctors, counselors, therapists, veterans, teachers and other professionals who provide or have provided immediate assistance to those affected by a disturbing event. Because of the situations they encounter on a daily basis, first responders often get posttraumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, depression, injury, burnout, compassion fatigue, and/or depression. Others might experience fear, physical tension or agitation, emotional numbness, a desire to avoid talking or thinking about the traumatic event or resort to substance abuse. The support of a mental health professional can help. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other trauma interventions such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting can be particularly useful for first responders. Therapy can also he helpful to first responders by helping you deal with the mental strain caused by your employment, promoting self-care and by providing you with both the support of a compassionate and trained counselor and a safe space to process your emotions.
MacKay Crookston, MA, PLPC
Supervisor Seth Haney License #2007010481
Adult Counseling (ages 18+)
Individual Counseling, EMDR, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
MacKay is a provisionally licensed counselor with a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health. MacKay has spent over 20 years in working closely with individuals and teams to identify and find solutions for everyday problems. He is now using his desire to help others along with his valuable communication and problem solving skills to help others in a therapeutic setting. MacKay is trained in EMDR and specializes in working with those who have experienced trauma in their lives. He has a unique niche of working with and helping those who are experiencing frustrations and/or challenges associated with working in a corporate environment regardless of whether it is from a small start-up business or a multi-international company. He also enjoys helping those struggling with anxiety, depression and grief find relief and fulfillment. MacKay believes that most solutions can be found within the individual. He uses an integrative approach utilizing a combination of multiple therapeutic techniques including person-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. As a counselor, he helps guide his clients to discover solutions that allow them to heal and recover. MacKay has the ability to offer Christian counseling to those who desire it. He also has a passion for learning about different cultures and works well with clients regardless of their beliefs, culture, history, or background. He creates a safe place for clients to express themselves and tell their story by offering a judgement-free environment that promotes learning and growth. He has an accepting personality and loves the unique strengths that each individual brings to therapy.
James Lehnardt, MA, NCC, LPC
Independent Contractor
Offers Adolescent Counseling (ages 16+) and Adult Counseling
Individual Counseling, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY OR TELEHEALTH THERAPY
James is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's degree in Counseling. James has a passion for working with young adults and adults and helping them deal with all challenges in life including trauma, abuse, and loss.
As a US Army veteran, James has a passion for working with veterans and first responders and the unique challenges they face as well as the impact those challenges have on their lives and those of their families. James specializes in trauma including but not limited to sexual trauma, trauma from divorce, and trauma stemming from the experiences of veterans and first responders. James also focuses on helping clients with multiple behavioral issues including PTSD, depression, grief, anxiety, adult ADHD, chronic health issues and anger. He also enjoys helping dads navigate divorce and single parenting. James focuses therapy on the individual client and uses an integrative approach to work uniquely with each of his clients needs. He believes that each person has the capacity within them for meaningful growth and change and to develop the needed skills to face life’s challenges no matter where you are starting from. James is very friendly and warm, is easy to relate to and become comfortable with while also using a collaborative and supportive approach in implementing the skills and knowledge needed to encourage growth and change.
Michael French, MA, LPC
Independent Contractor
Offers Adult Counseling (ages 18+)
Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
Michael French is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's degree in Counseling. He has over 20 years of experience in working directly with the public and has spent the last 6 years in a therapeutic setting. Michael works with both adult men and women in individual and/or couples counseling sessions. He is trained in trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy to help those who have experienced traumatic events in their life. He has worked in a substance abuse facility where he gained extensive experience in helping those who are struggling with addictions and/or are in a co-dependent relationship. Michael is compassionate and understanding and can provide Christian counseling to those who desire it. He specializes in men’s issues, low self-esteem, guilt or shame, anxiety, loneliness, lack of confidence, commitment issues, life transitions, mid-life crises and work/life balance. He enjoys providing resources to clients and showing those who feel that there are little to no options in dealing with their struggles that there are options so that they can go from saying 'I can't' to 'I can.' Michael believes that we all have our own trials and moments of great stress and grief that help shape our lives and is here to help you on that journey.
Norman Haney, MSW, LCSW, MAC
Independent Contractor
Offers Adolescent Counseling (ages 15+) and Adult Counseling
Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, Family Counseling, Addiction Counseling, EMDR, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
Norman Haney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work. He has international experience in therapeutic intervention and holds vast clinical knowledge and expertise in the field of marriage and family, which stem from his experience within the youth centers, state correctional systems, and psychiatric hospitals. Norm also was a clinical director of a local leading residential mental health agency. He brings over 30 years of experience to the table and has helped thousands of couples, individuals, and families in our community through his counseling. Norm specializes in couple counseling and also in addictions. His special ability to help those who are either struggling with addiction or within their marriage has created an outstanding reputation for him in our community. He has a strong Christian base and provides Christian counseling to those he helps. Norm is charismatic and enjoys working with people. He knows how to work with even the toughest of situations and has a natural talent of reaching people that few others have. Norm frequently has clients who have tried numerous other therapists come to him and through his unique approach they find the counsel and insight that they have been searching for in order to overcome that which had seemed impossible to do on their own.
Joshua Harms, MA, LPC, CAGCS
Independent Contractor
Offers Adolescent Counseling (ages 15+) and Adult Counseling
Individual Counseling, EMDR, Addiction Counseling, Christian Counseling, Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
Joshua is a Licensed Professional Counselor with two Master’s degrees, one in Counseling and one in Divinity. He has over 12 years of therapy experience in working with adults and teens. He has worked in private practice, a psychiatric facility and an addictions facility. Joshua is trained in EMDR and specializes in trauma. He has worked with anything from light trauma to extreme and complex trauma and has a lot of experience in working with sexual trauma of all kinds. He is also a Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist and has worked extensively with those experiencing grief and loss. Joshua also has expertise in helping those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, addictions, life struggles and mood disorders. Joshua enjoys helping others and providing Christian Counseling to those who desire it. He is described as empathetic and encouraging. One of the things that Joshua enjoys about being a counselor is being able to help someone come from a bad place, to being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and love themselves again.
Laura May, Intern-Masters Level Student
Supervisor Vivian Foley License #2007010481
Offers Adolescent (ages 12+) and Adult Counseling
Individual Counseling, Couples and Family Counseling, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
Laura is a therapist intern working on her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy, as such she is able to offer therapy at a significantly reduced rate of $40 per session. She has spent over 27 years working in a hospital setting, where she has worked closely with her leadership teams to identify and find solutions to workplace challenges. She has also offered leaders and staff encouragement to find personal grace and define self-care to balance between work and home life. Laura specializes in working with couples and families and helping them to overcome the difficulties they face in order to strengthen their relationships with one another. She also enjoys helping to bring a new perspective to those struggling with anxiety, depression, health issues, burnout and other personal challenges that impact their lives and relationships. Laura guides clients to discover they have the ability within them to find solutions to heal and move forward. Laura provides a safe space for clients to feel comfortable and supported. Her passion is that mental healthcare is available for all groups of individuals, including people of different ages, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientation. Laura can provide Christian counseling as directed by the client to those who desire it. Laura has a warm personality that clients immediately feel comfortable with. She offers a calming and supportive approach to help individuals, couples and families overcome even the most difficult challenges.
Seth Haney, MA, LPC, EMDR
Owner
Offers Adult Counseling (ages 18+)
Individual Counseling, EMDR, Christian Counseling
OFFERING IN-PERSON THERAPY
Seth Haney is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's degree in family counseling. He has over 20 years of experience in working with individuals and their families. Seth has over 18 years or experience providing therapy to individuals and families. He spent over 5 years as a lead therapist at a residential facility before starting his private practice in 2012. Seth uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to effectively help clients deal with the difficult circumstances, emotions, behaviors or mental health issues that they are experiencing. He is certified in EMDR, a therapy technique used to help those who have dealt with trauma, abuse or loss. He specializes in trauma including but not limited to divorce, sexual abuse, or any other distressing or disturbing event that makes it difficult for a person to function at their full capacity. Seth also specializes in helping clients who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and anger.He has strong values and is very comfortable at providing Christian counseling to those who desire it. Seth has a warm personality and people immediately can relate to him and feel comfortable around him; yet at the same time, he has the skills and knowledge needed to encourage change and growth in even the most difficult of circumstances.