I work with men and women who have difficult lives and who want to make changes. If you are ready to find a good counselor, please be skeptical. A good fit is essential for good outcomes.
You should be asking yourself, “Is this guy a good fit for me? Is he worth my time and money?”
I might be a good fit for you if you are looking for someone who is all of these things:
- Experienced. I have a broad educational background, varied life experiences, and specialized psychological training. I’ve been seasoned by life.
- Empathetic. My curiosity, active listening skills, and easy-going personality allow me to empathize well. I care about knowing what it’s like to be you.
- Contemplative. I can offer ancient wisdom and spiritual practices to strengthen your soul. If you are looking for a specifically Christian perspective, I can offer that too.
- Pragmatic. I am practical. I want you to have better tools in your toolbox. I will give you new things to think about and skills to practice in your daily life.
On a personal level, I have experienced a variety of challenges in my 54 years on this planet. I grew up in a dysfunctional, broken family. I have been married 30+ years. I have 25+ years of teaching experience in secondary schools. I have spent 25+ years caring for a severely-disabled child who in now an adult. I made a major career shift in my late 40’s which was challenging financially and emotionally. It’s been a difficult life so far. It means getting knocked down 7 times and getting up 8. It means grieving your losses and learning to love again. But it doesn’t happen without a lot of help.
As a counselor, I am committed to helping others face their troubles with honesty and resiliency. I am unafraid of the big challenges that clients are facing, whether it is depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, anger, addictions, financial troubles, marital strife, parenting problems, or dealing with a mental health disorder. I deeply believe that the truth will set you free, but it will hurt along the way.
As a Christian, I believe that God loves to make beautiful things out of broken things, and no person’s life is ever hopeless. In brief: Life is hard, but God is good. I am happy to integrate my Christian faith into my counseling practice, but only for those who prefer that.
Professional counseling can be a powerful catalyst for making positive life changes. In order to meet the varied needs of my clients, I incorporate aspects of the following theories in my practice: grief recovery, trauma-informed therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I use several therapeutic modalities, but the one I have found to be the most effective is Internal Family Systems. IFS is an evidence-based psychotherapy that is empowering, not pathologizing. It has some advantages over the other excellent modalities that I use, such as DBT, CBT, and ACT.
Education and Training:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (Missouri #2019016758)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC #1249944)
- M.A. Missouri Baptist University (2019)
- M.A. Lindenwood University (2001)
- B.A. Baylor University (1993)
- Continuing education that focuses on anxiety, grief, trauma, and IFS.
- Informed in IFS, EMDR, DBT, and ACT.
Testimonials:
“Andy has been a huge blessing to my life. I have faced so much childhood trauma, and he has walked by my side teaching me, giving me tools, and praying with me to get through the bipolar disorder that I face each day. Andy has been a phenomenal counselor and teacher when my thoughts were flawed. He has helped me with care and is not ashamed of being bold in correction with a loving hand along the way. He has helped me to change into the man that my family needs.” – male, 27
“Andy has been instrumental in my recovery from PTSD. He’s a good listener and cares a lot. He always remembers the little details of things we discussed on prior visits. He gave me effective tools that I still use to this day.” – male, 43
Andy Kerckhoff 