Hello, I am Lydia Ehrmann and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I graduated from Friends University in 2021 and I have worked in the private practice setting since then. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a children’s case manager at a community health center. I am working toward my Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy license and I offer play therapy and/or psychotherapy to my clients.
I primarily focus on intergenerational patterns and
childhood trauma with my clients. I also focus on helping my clients with differentiation and developing a sense of self. I am passionate … Read more
Embracing the journey of self-discovery and growth is at the core of my therapeutic approach. Together, we can redefine and realign the resources and tools necessary for your unique path. With an undergraduate degree in Counseling and a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, I specialize in guiding individuals, couples, and families
with addressing complex issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. My goal is to create a space of empathy and kindness, allowing clients to feel at ease as they explore and expand on challenging areas of their lives. My approach is rooted in attachment theory, which values … Read more
Hello, I am Mary Toon, a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). I received my Bachelor’s in Social Work from Wichita State University in 2014, and my Master’s in Social Work in 2018. I obtained my clinical license in 2024 and am working towards becoming certified in Play Therapy.
I have had the opportunity to serve the local Community for the last nine years as a social worker, with the last five focused on providing individual therapy and mental health support in schools. I have experience working with children and families from all walks of life facing a variety of … Read more
By Sarah Beardslee, LCPC
In this previous post, I discussed how the imagination can help us feel empowered, calm, and confident or can bring anxiety, depressed mood, and insecurities. When you feel stuck with negative thoughts and images scrolling through your mind like an unending film reel, here are some things that may be helpful.
Developing a Container
A mental container is something you create to hold all the distress, tension, and negative images that overwhelm and feel unhelpful to you. The mental container is not simply another way to dismiss, avoid, or ignore thoughts and emotions. It is … Read more
By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT
It is not a stretch to say we are undergoing a collective trauma now as this pandemic exerts its will on our lives in some pervasive ways. Even if it has not had an impact on us directly, the looming nature of the virus seems to be casting a dark cloud over us, keeping us from embracing hope for the immediate future, and at the very least reminding us of the inevitability of our own illness and death. As is often true with these sorts of happenings, we experience some of the effects now and we … Read more
Location: Online currently; future meetings will be held at Real Life Counseling Derby (1720 E. Osage, #200, Derby, Kansas).
Start Date: April 22, 2020 from 7:00pm-8:30pm; Additional dates/times to follow.
Open to: Adults presenting with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, preferably currently in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) treatment.
Fee: Free
Contact: This peer support group will be facilitated by Shauna Meier, LSCSW.
If interested, please email Shauna or call (316)425-7774, ext. 3013.… Read more
By Seth Hock, LMFT
As a child, I was very anxious about many things. I would worry about how long my parents would be away when they left home, about going on campouts or to church camp for a week, and perhaps most of all, I would worry about storms. I can, when I choose to visit my inner child, still experience the anxiety he once felt about those Midwestern storms that would slowly roll though our part of the prairie. I remember listening closely when the weatherman came on the TV or radio; I would scan the skies looking … Read more
LaSheena is a Psychologist who welcomes the opportunity to assist individuals, couples, and families in overcoming whatever hurdles life sends their way. She has experience with providing therapy for people from all walks of life, ages 4 and up. She has extensive experience with treating depression and behavioral concerns in children and adolescents, as well as concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma, bipolar disorder, and more severe concerns in adults. She believes in challenging clients to build on natural coping mechanisms and tools for navigating challenges by learning and practicing new skills and engaging in self-exploration. She uses … Read more
By Krista Reed, LSCSW
Trichotillomania. Say that word 5 times as fast as you can. Not only is it a tricky word to say, it is a challenging behavior to overcome. Pronounced “trick-o-till-o-may-nee-uh,” “TTM” or “Trich” is also identified as the ”Hair Pulling Disorder.” It is part of a group of behaviors referred to as Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s), in which a person pulls, picks or bites his or her hair, nails, or skin causing injury to him- or herself. TTM is currently categorized in the Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders section in the DSM 5; however, it is not … Read more
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training Group is now open for new members to join both our Adult and Adolescent groups!
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a broad-based cognitive behavioral treatment aimed to enhance your ability to regulate emotions, improve interpersonal relationships and crisis management skills. Emotion dysregulation has been linked to a variety of mental health concerns stemming from patterns of instability in emotional management, lack of impulse control, ineffective interpersonal relationships, and a distorted self-image. Helping clients find true balance in emotion, thoughts, and behavior and/or choices is the fundamental practice of DBT.
DBT Skills Training Group is … Read more
I work with adults who may be experiencing a variety of difficulties including stress management, anxiety, depression, sense of self issues such as negative self-talk, emotional regulation, low self-worth. I also work with folks on lifestyle habits, relationship with food and eating issues, as well as motivation and relationship struggles.
I do my best to approach therapy from a holistic perspective exploring with you various factors that may be contributing to your difficulties. We will collaborate in identifying, understanding and improving on these areas you’d like to address. Throughout our work together we will explore several topics in addition to … Read more
Emotion dysregulation has been linked to a variety of mental health concerns stemming from patterns of instability in emotion regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self image.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a broad-based cognitive behavioral treatment aimed to assist with regulation of emotions. Often overcontrolled and undercontrolled emotions create frustrations within ourselves and within our families, causing us to behave and interact with one another in undesirable ways.
This DBT group is specifically designed for families and teens who may struggle with emotion dysregulation, making family connection difficult.
- WHO: Adolescents (12-18) and parents
- WHAT: 23 week DBT Skills Training
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Read more
By Shauna Meier, LSCSW
There is something powerful we all have within us, something we can practice any place and any time. It is known to ease anxiety, lighten depression, interrupt impulsiveness, and bring more happiness and peace into our lives. This powerful practice is called Mindfulness. Simply stated, mindfulness can be defined as “Paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn). Although mindfulness has been around for centuries, it has just recently received the attention and accolades it so rightfully deserves.
Mindfulness, being fully present in the moment, takes perseverance and patience as our minds are … Read more
By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT
One of the most oft-cited reasons people do not go to therapy is because they do not want to “sit around and talk about their feelings.” People envision themselves in therapy talking about what is going on in their lives and the therapist making them talk about “how it makes them feel.” Well, not exactly, but engaging with our emotions is an important part of therapy. Oh, and life in general.
It is no wonder people have this stance toward therapy and emotion. The downplaying and dismissal of emotion is pervasive in our culture. Emotions … Read more
When we are working through our anxiety, we often hear in our minds the decidedly unhelpful mantra “don’t worry about it.” We believe we should not have a care in the world and any anxiety at all is bad. Most of us probably know, however, anxiety does have some function. It helps us focus on things that need attention. When you are in danger, anxiety is there to help you avoid the danger. On a lower level, anxiety helps focus our attention on things we need to take care of and things that need to change.
If you have ever … Read more
Brandon understands the decision to begin therapy is a very personal and important one. It is an endeavor into the possibility of change and requires the right atmosphere with someone who can offer helpful perspective and direction. The journey takes courage, and it is important to have someone walking alongside you who is committed to you and responsive to your needs.
Brandon received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Friends University and a Master’s of Science in Family Therapy from Friends. He has received specialized training in “Lifespan Integration,” a technique based in guided imagery to re-organize past … Read more
