Meet our Providers

Angela C. Johnson, LPC, LCPC

Philosophy of Care

My philosophy of care is to provide the best possible care to clients in a safe environment. I will provide a therapeutic environment and begin to build a therapist relationship with the client in order to assist them with their issues and develop the necessary skills needed to work on their mental health issues to provide them with a more stable and balanced mentality. In a therapeutic relationship, the client’s needs are the main focus and the client’s therapy is centered around their personal goals. 

Therapy  is a formal relationship between you and your therapist that helps you grow, change and heal. As a therapist, I want to assist my clients to explore some effective ways to deal with the issues that brought them to therapy and begin to make better decisions in their lives  and help them overcome the issues instead of maintaining those unhealthy relationships and issues and continuing with the maladaptive behaviors. 

As a therapist, it is my job to teach the client a higher level of functioning, healing and master new healthier skills. It is also my job to help the client to learn about themselves, come up with what is important and what is not important. My job is also to take that client towards increased satisfaction in life and contentment. In the end, I want the client to get that Ah ha moment that lets them know that they can control their mental illness and not be judged because they have a mental illness.

Education

Lindenwood University
MA

Specialties

• Couples/Relationship Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Psych Testing
• Anxiety Therapy
• Stress Counseling
• Panic Counseling

Emily Thoenen, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

Are you overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, feel stuck or burnt-out, struggling with relationship issues, or feel confused about your purpose? While these feelings are part of being human, they can sometimes overwhelm us and affect our ability to thrive. We all need support and guidance to move through pain, and to learn tools that can help us move through challenges with more ease and grace. Change can be scary, but change is also potential for growth. I can provide a safe, calm, and non-judgmental environment that supports your healing.

I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Development from Missouri State University in 2002 and my Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 2013. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2017, licensed by the State of Missouri. Prior to licensure I worked from 2006-2019 with adults and children working within the Missouri state foster care system. I became an expert in trauma through this system and collaborations with Franklin County Community Resource Board and Franklin County Cares; which I was a founding member of. I received the Mary Ellen award by Franklin County CASA for my work within the foster care system in 2019 and received recognition from Beyond Consequences as a Trauma Trailblazer in the Franklin County, MO area.

My experience along with my education provides me with the skills to assist you through your therapy journey. I use effective strategies such as mindfulness, trauma focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and marital/couples counseling techniques.

Are you ready to feel better, know yourself more, open to clearing stuck emotions from past negative experiences, and want to live authentically? You CAN thrive and regain hope, inspiration, joy, and energy for life and I would be honored to walk alongside you through this journey.

Education

University of Missouri
Masters Degree in Social Work

Specialties

• Couples/Relationship Counseling
• Marriage Counseling,
• Anxiety Therapy
• Panic Counseling
• Mood Disorders
• Trauma and Stress Related Disorders (PTSD)

John Airsman, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Airsman has over 8 years of experience with therapy. He holds a master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology. He is efficient in helping individuals with a variety of issues. These include addiction, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and many others. Dr. Airsman’s passion is helping people live life to its fullest. Although necessary, he is critical of labeling human beings with diagnoses. The essence of humanity is good, there are just obstacles that need to be overcome, addressed, and in some cases accepted. He believes in treating the whole person as a human being and not just a client. His personal experiences with life and his education makes him a very effective clinician and guide to life. Dr. Airsman prefers to be called by his first name and believes that hobbies play a key role in life satisfaction. His own hobbies include astrophotography and writing music. He encourages his clients to find things that they enjoy and do them passionately.

Education

California Southern
Doctor of Psychology

Specialties

• Couples/Relationship Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Medication Management
• Anxiety Therapy
• Stress Counseling

Julia Vulic, LPC, CPT, CRC

Philosophy of Care

Julia Vulic is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Play Therapist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Grief Counseling Specialist, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional in the state of Missouri who has 5 years of post-graduate experience working with kids, teens, adults, families, and people with disabilities struggling with things such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, self-esteem issues, life transitions, school/peer issues like bullying, relationship issues, and grief. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri, Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri, and Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from MidAmerica Nazarene University of Olathe, Kansas. Julia’s main modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, person centered therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and play therapy.

Julia recognizes that every person is unique and has their own ways of communicating and coping and, because of this, makes sure to use an individualized approach with all clients. She is truly passionate about what she does and will do her best to provide you with a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental environment. Julia believes that, given the right levels of support and guidance, we all have the ability to thrive and live healthy and meaningful lives.

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Kids & Teens
• Mood Disorders
• Life Transitions
• Trauma & Stress Related Disorders

Laura Danielle Estes, LCSW

Philosophy of Care

Laura Estes is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri who has twenty years of experience with adults, children, and youth seeking help with coping skills, life transitions, anxiety, depression, anger management, stress management and parenting issues. She completed her Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis along with her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern University.

Laura tailors her therapeutic approach based on an individual’s needs and situation. These modalities include cognitive behavioral, solution-focused and psychodynamic approaches to therapy along with mindfulness based and relaxation strategies as well. She takes an integrative approach using tools from several areas to meet every individual’s unique needs.

Working with Laura will be an open, authentic and caring partnership without judgement. She creates a warm and caring relationship that focuses on strengths and collaboration. Utilizing her vast experience, she will help you learn the skills to work through challenges, reach your goals and live a more peaceful life.

Education

Washington University in St. Louis
Masters in Social Work

Specialties

• Stress Management
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Life problems
• Transition
• Parenting Issues
• Children and Youth
• Anger management

Shanna Brende, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Shanna Brende is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of MO, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of KS, who has been working in the behavioral health field for over 25 years. She has experience working with various segments of the population including children, teenagers, and adults suffering with mental health and/or substances abuse.

Shanna holds a bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology and communication disorders from the University of South Dakota, and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Texas with a major in counselor education.

Education

Sam Houston State University
Master's in Counselor Education

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• LGBTQ+ issues
• Grief/Loss
• Anger management
• Addiction
• Stress management
• PTSD

Susan Purnell, PhD, LPC, NCC

Philosophy of Care

Susan Purnell is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University.  

Susan utilizes an integrative approach to counseling utilizing three main theories. She uses feminist, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT). Susan employs this mix to address her client’s immediate need to function effectively in their day-to-day lives, while giving them the ability to see how and why they may be stalled in their current situation. Susan often works with survivors of trauma, and in those instances, she uses trauma-informed or trauma-focused CBT. As clients progress, Susan likes to incorporate attachment theory into therapy to explore early relationships and their impact on later life. This often gives clients insight into the how and why of decisions made and often alleviates the anxiety of self-blame. 

Susan seeks to foster rapport with her clients by providing a safe space in which they can disclose their challenges and develop strategies to manage difficulties in their lives and relationships. 

Education

Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Webster University

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Walden University

Specialties

• Intimate partner violence
• Torture and war trauma
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Self esteem
• Life transitions
• LGBTQ issues
• Women's issues
• Relationship issues

Thomas Michler, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Tom Michler is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri who has close to 30 years experience working with adolescents, teens, couples and families with life cycle challenges related to anxiety, depression, parenting, relationships issues, life transitions, and spirituality. He completed his Bachelor of Arts from St. Louis University and his Master of Education and Counseling from the University of Missouri- St. Louis.

Tom specializes in helping clients understand current day issues within the context of their overall life experience which includes insight into family of origin dynamics, repeating patterns, life purpose, and blockages to greater personal success and satisfaction.

Tom places great value on the individual life story of his clients and seeks to participate in helping his clients create the future they truly desire.

Education

University of Missouri- St. Louis
Master of Education and Counseling

Specialties

• Adolescent and Teen Issues
• Couples Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Anxiety/Depression
• Life Transition and Purpose