what products do you offer?

Individual Therapy, EMDR, DBT, TF-CBT

what is your business address?

302 Campusview Dr Ste 201, Columbia, MO 65201, US

what payments do you accept?

Cash, credit card, health savings account - We are "out of network" with insurance providers but can provide a superbill you can use to try to get reimbursed for part of your expense.

What do you know about my business?

Aspire Counseling offers individual counseling for preteens, teenagers & adults through retirement. Our therapists specialize in trauma therapy, anxiety treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy & grief counseling. We are LGBTQ+ affirming and work with clients of diverse gender, sexual orientation, culture, race & life experiences.

Do you accept reservations/appointments?

All counseling & therapy sessions are by appointment only.

How many employees work with your company?

We currently have 7 therapists at Aspire Counseling

What is Unique about your business?

We focus on providing high quality evidence based mental health services, because we believe you deserve counseling services that work so you can live life in a way that feels authentic to who you are as an individual.

What holidays are you opened for?

Each therapist decides their own hours and decides which days they will work. Therefore, while some therapists may see clients some holidays others may choose not to.

What insurance do you accept?

We are out of network for all health insurance plans but can provide a superbill upon request.

Are you taking new patients?

Yes! We have limited openings with some therapists right now. Please call our client care team at 573-328-2288 to find out if we have an opening with a therapist who might be a match for you.

Do you see patients on weekends?

We have very limited openings on weekends.

Is there a unisex restroom?

Unfortunately, there are only "male" and "female" bathrooms in our building. That said, we support you using whichever restroom you are most comfortable using.

Hello! At Aspire Counseling, we believe you deserve counseling that truly works. You can ask about what is unique about our business, our hours, what type of payments we accept, parking and more!

We're happy to answer all of your questions and help you figure out if Aspire Counseling is a good fit for your needs. Please call us at 573-328-2288 with any questions you aren't finding an answer to right away. Otherwise, you can ask our address, if we accept insurance, and other basic questions on here.

I'm sorry, but we haven't programmed an answer for that question. Please call us to get a quick answer.

Don't forget to check out our blog and social media for regular mental health tips and information!

Do you have any Deal/Coupons/Offers available?

We offer a very limited number of sliding scale appointment slots.

Do you have a wheelchair accessible restroom?

Our restroom is considered wheelchair accessible but does not have a push button to make opening the door easier.

Is your establishment kid-friendly?

While our business was originally designed to see kids 10 and older we now see a limited number of younger children, particularly if the main concern is anxiety or trauma.

Is your business pet friendly?

Generally no. However, clients have brought their pets in rare situations when it's relevant to the work being done in counseling sessions. We do have a dog that visits the office about once a week and of course welcome all service animals.

Do you offer free wi-fi?

We do not currently offer wi-fi for visitors.

Mental health Tips for Introverts

Introverts often deal with unique mental health challenges. They may struggle with feelings of isolation or depression, and can be perfectionists to a fault. However, introverts also have many strengths that should be celebrated and can help protect your mental health.

In this post, we'll discuss both mental health vulnerabilities and strengths common of introverts as well as some tips for protecting your mental health as an introvert.

Mental Health Challenges of Being Introverted

As an introvert, you may be more prone to certain mental health challenges. For example, you may:

Photo of a stressed asian woman looking out a website and seeing snow representing the stress an introvert may feel after a stressful day at work.

* Struggle with feelings of isolation or depression

* Be a perfectionist to a fault

*May have a smaller social support system

* Experience mental and physical exhaustion from overstimulation

*Feel pressure to act more "extroverted"

*Try to act outwardly compliant or struggle to stand up for yourself

If you identify with any of these struggles, know that you are not alone. Many introverts face similar challenges. The key is to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you.

Mental Health Strengths of Introverts

Despite the challenges, there are also many strengths that come with being introverted. For example, you may:

* Be highly creative

* Think deeply and critically

* Appreciate alone time

* Have a strong sense of inner thoughts and feelings

* Be reflective and introspective

If any of these strengths resonate with you, make sure to nurture them. They are unique gifts that can bring joy to your life. Nurturing and leaning into these strengths can help offset some of the challenges that come with being introverted.

Tips for Protecting Your Mental Health as an Introvert

So what can you do to protect your mental health as an introvert? Here are a few tips:

Make time for yourself.

As an introvert, you need time to recharge after being around people. It's ok to take a break when you need one. Make sure to schedule some alone time into your week so that you can relax and rejuvenate. This may mean taking a walk by yourself, reading a book, or just sitting in silence.

Connect with other introverts.

Just because you're an introvert doesn't mean you have to avoid all social interaction. Seek out other introverts with whom you can have meaningful conversations. These deep connections will be nourishing for your soul.

Photo of the sand mandala in our Columbia, MO counseling office representing an activity you could do to calm negative thoughts and cope with anxiety or depression.

Find an activity that calms you.

Everyone needs a way to unwind and de-stress. For introverts, this may be something like yoga, meditation, or nature walks. Find an activity that helps you relax and prioritize making time for this activity regularly.

Invest in Relationships You Find Fulfilling

A strong support system is important for mental health. But for an introvert, it's often exhausting to be around people all the time. That's why it's important to save most of your "peopling" energy to invest in relationships that are meaningful and fulfilling. This may mean having fewer close friends, but making sure those friendships are high quality.

Don't Compare Yourself too Much to Extroverts

We all compare ourselves to those around us from time to time. But if you find yourself constantly comparing your introverted self to extroverts, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Remember that there is no "right" way to be. Your needs are different as an introvert, so comparing yourself to your extrovert friends and family is not productive or helpful.

Cultivate A Relationship With Yourself

This tip actually comes from Enid De Jesus, an expert in introversion and the impact of introversion on mental health. She talks about improving your relationship with your introverted self by asking yourself what you truly need, establishing a positive routine and being honest with yourself.

Accept Yourself for Who You Are

This is perhaps the most important tip of all. In order to protect your mental health as an introvert, you must first accept yourself for who you are. This means accepting your need for alone time, your love of deep conversations, and your preference for small social gatherings. Once you accept yourself, it will be much easier to find peace and contentment in your life.

Photo of Counseling Office 2 in the Aspire Counseling suite in the Seven Oaks building. Our offices are designed to be comfortable and feel like a safe space where you can open up and get support around issues related to your mental health.

Support For Introverts in Missouri

By following these tips, you can start to create a healthy routine that works for you as an introvert. Remember to take things at your own pace and be patient with yourself - Rome wasn't built in a day! Creating lasting change takes time, but it is so worth it in the end. Trust us, we know. If you live in Missouri and are looking for more support, Aspire Counseling has several therapists who may be a good fit.

All of our therapists can help individuals with anxiety, self esteem, etc. And most have specialized training in trauma therapy & PTSD treatment. Others have additional specialties such as in treating chronic self harm or suicidal ideation, eating disorders, grief or other issues.

However, as an introvert your therapist's personality may matter as much as their expertise. So, feel free to let our intake team know some of those personality traits you may prefer as well. We really value matching you with the right therapist, so if you're looking for someone who may be a little quieter, more calm, who also identifies as an introvert (or the opposite-maybe you'd prefer an extrovert?), or any other personality trait feel free to mention those preferences and we're happy to consider those before recommending a therapist. Additionally, all of our therapists have written a little bit about themselves and recorded a short video to help you get to know them so you can get a "feel" for your therapist by looking at their page on our website.

Being an introvert can be a superpower. But even superheros need support sometimes. Our clinicians would love to help, so reach out today and let's figure out which one of our counselors is a fit!