Meet Our Therapists

 
Headshot of Grant, a counseling intern at our Columbia, MO counseling office who specializes in OCD treatment. He is a smiling man with light skin, short blond hair, and blue eyes, wearing a white shirt and blue blazer against a black background.

Grant Glabe, Counseling Intern

He/Him

Grant Glabe works with adults, and college students who have ongoing challenges with anxiety, relationships, stress and depression.

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress

Ashley Elder, our teen therapist in Lee's Summit, standing outdoors on a sidewalk in a garden with blooming bushes, smiling, wearing a light pink blouse and beige pants.

Ashley Elder, MSW, LCSW

She/Her

I specialize in working with adolescents, and their families, who experience symptoms of anxiety and depression or who engage in high-risk behaviors and/or have experienced a traumatic event. In therapy I work to help clients develop and execute coping strategies to establish and maintain a life they enjoy living.

Specialties: Trauma/PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideation and self-injurious behaviors

Casey, one of our therapists in Lee's Summit specializing in providing EMDR, standing outside. Casey helps teenagers, adults & retired adults with depression, anxiety & trauma.

Casey Jackson, LPC

He/Him

Casey Jackson offers online and in person at Lee’s Summit, therapy to teens adults in Missouri. He has experience in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, family or relationship difficulties, life transitions & stress. He values the therapeutic relationship and seeks to empower his clients, along with providing empathy, humor, and kindness.

Specialties: EMDR, Children, Teens, Retirement, Anxiety, Depression

Mikayla, an online therapist in Missouri, with blonde hair smiling outdoors, wearing a light-colored blazer over a black top, with jeans and a necklace, standing on a sidewalk with bushes and trees in the background.

Mikayla Wichern- LCSW

She/Her

Mikayla Wichern offers online therapy for adults and college students who have ongoing challenges with depression, anxiety and trauma, relationships, grief, and so much more. Mikayla is very direct and enjoys using humor during her sessions with clients.

Specialties: Anxiety, OCD, Trauma/PTSD, Depression, Grief and more!

Alison, an EMDR therapist specializing in attachment issues and depression smiling outdoors on a sidewalk, wearing a pink cardigan over a white turtleneck.

She/Her

Alison Ballou works with adults, and college students who have ongoing challenges with depression, anxiety and trauma, adoption, and works with those in the LGBTQ community.

Specialties: Trauma/ PTSD, EMDR, Anxiety, Depression, Adoption, and more.

Alison Ballou- PLPC

Katherine, an expert, experienced Mid Missouri EMDR therapist wearing a light blue polka dot blouse and dark pants, smiling outdoors on a sidewalk with bushes and trees in the background. She also offers ERP for OCD and CPT for PTSD.

Katherine Ottofy, LCSW

She/Her

Katherine Ottofy works with adults of all ages, including elderly, and college students who have ongoing challenges with anxiety, grief, trauma, and so much more. She really values mental health, and her aim is to help clients stop feeling stuck and help them meet their goals. 

Specialties: PTSD/Trauma, EMDR, CPT, Anxiety, Grief, OCD

A woman with brown hair wearing a beige blazer, white top, and black pants standing on a sidewalk in a park-like setting with bushes and trees in the background.

Kristi Sveum- LCSW

She/Her

Kristi Sveum works with adolescents, teens, and college students who have ongoing challenges with anxiety, trauma, relationships, OCD, grief, and so much more.

Specialties: Anxiety, Trauma/PTSD, OCD, Children, Teens

A photo of Jessica Tappana, Founder of Aspire Counselilng, and trauma therapist for teens and college students

She/Her

Jessica brings a positive energy into the counseling office and is passionate about helping people find healing when things seem overwhelming. Jessica uses well researched techniques and believes in the power of counseling. She meets each client where they are and helps people find the courage & find the right tools to be the best version of themselves.

Specialties: Trauma & PTSD, survivors of sexual violence, college adjustment & severe anxiety

Jessica Tappana, LCSW

A woman with long wavy blonde hair, glasses, and a pink headband smiling at the camera against a plain background.

Raigan Nielsen
Client Care Coordinator

She/Her

Raigan is most likely the first person you will speak to at Aspire Counseling. She is very passionate about mental health, and believes in the power of therapy, and is excited to help find a therapist that is right for you. She is happy to answer all questions you may have ranging from questions about starting or beginning therapy, or even billing questions. She strives to make all feel welcomed, supported, heard, and comfortable at Aspire Counseling. When Raigan isn’t at Aspire Counseling she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband and children.

Samara, our client care coordinator at Aspire Counseling with her hair tied back, wearing a white off-the-shoulder sweater and black pants, standing outside on a balcony with trees and buildings in the background.

Samara Allison
Client Care Coordinator

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Samara is also one of our client care coordinators and is one of the first people you’ll speak with at Aspire Counseling. She is currently studying psychology at the University of Missouri with plans to graduate in the spring of 2026. Samara is passionate about therapy because she believes it’s vital we all have healthy ways of working through our emotions. Helping people find a therapist who will support them through life’s stressors both big and small is something that gives her a lot of fulfilment in her role here at Aspire. Samara plans to pursue her masters of social work following her undergrad to become a therapist someday just like our counselors at Aspire!

Each of our therapists have their own specialties counseling specialties and populations they work best with. Our therapists are highly trained in specific evidence-based counseling techniques.

*We are considered out of network providers (meaning we are not “in network” with your insurance) and our therapists standard rates range from $80-$150. To learn more, please visit our Rates & Insurance page.