The PORCH Therapy Group is a professional association of independent counselors committed to Providing Opportunities for Recovery and Courage for Healing (PORCH).
At the PORCH, we realize that successful treatment begins with a strong therapeutic relationship. Therefore, relationships are our priority. This focus allows clients to feel safe and understood, which is a strong catalyst for progress towards healing and reaching their goals. READ MORE ABOUT US
Welcome
PORCH providers offer a wide selection of experiences and training. Counseling services include:
- individual, couples, family, and grief counseling
- play therapy
- EMDR
- trauma-informed counseling
- mediation and consultation
We have several decades of cumulative experience in counseling and other helping professions. With this experience, there is a great deal of knowledge and passion for minimizing heartache, increasing resilience, and changing mental health trajectories.
Christine Dowell
MS, LPC, NCC
All ages
Direct #: 417-815-4253
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Dana Fleming
MS, LPC, NCC
Ages 11 to adult
Direct #: 417-553-1242
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Erin Rigdon
MS, LPC, NCC
Ages 13 to adult
Direct #: 417-222-2439
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Audrey Thomas
MS, LPC, NCC
Ages 4 to 18
Direct #: 417-815-6936
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Jessica Campbell
MSW, LCSW
Ages 4 to adult
Direct #: 417-744-5682
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Toni Autry
LCSW
Ages 11+
Direct # 417-807-2813
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Individual Counseling
In individual counseling the focus is on the development of a one-to-one relationship with the therapist. The relationship can take on many facets depending on the approach the therapist is using, but most often involves the creation of an accepting atmosphere along with the use of techniques for the purpose of symptom reduction and/or personal development. The individual is engaged in a self-reflective process on his or her emotions and behaviors.
Couple Counseling
Couples counseling involves an intense focus on improving the communication pattern within the couple. The therapist is involved in analyzing and offering feedback about the interactions the couple is having, and makes suggestions about ways to improve it. It is typically considered more intensive than individual therapy because both partners are invited to co-create the process of change.
Family Counseling
Family counseling rests on the dynamic interaction of the members of the family. The emphasis is on helping participants understand the projection they have toward other members, while learning from the feedback they receive from others, including the therapist.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is used to help children ages 3 to 12 explore their lives and freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. Therapeutic play normally takes place in a safe, comfortable playroom, where very few rules or limits are imposed on the child, encouraging free expression and allowing the therapist to observe the child’s choices, decisions, and play style. The goal is to help children learn to express themselves in healthier ways, become more respectful and empathetic, and discover new and more positive ways to solve problems.
Grief Counseling
Grief is the acute pain that accompanies loss. It is deep, because it is a reflection of what we love, and it can feel all-encompassing. Grief can follow the loss of a loved one, but it is not limited to the loss of people; it can follow the loss of a treasured animal companion, the loss of a job or other important role in life, or the loss of a home or of other possessions of significant emotional investment.
E.M.D.R.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique, nontraditional form of psychotherapy designed to diminish negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. Unlike most forms of talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on the traumatic event itself and more on the disturbing emotions and symptoms that result from the event. Treatment includes a hand motion technique used by the therapist to guide the client’s eye movements from side to side, similar to watching a pendulum swing.
Trauma-Informed Counseling
Trauma is the experience of severe psychological distress following any terrible or life-threatening event. Sufferers may develop emotional disturbances such as extreme anxiety, anger, sadness, survivor’s guilt, or PTSD. They may experience ongoing problems with sleep or physical pain, encounter turbulence in their personal and professional relationships, and feel a diminished sense of self-worth due to the overwhelming amount of stress.
Although the instigating event may overpower coping resources available at the time, it is nevertheless possible to develop healthy ways of coping with the experience and diminishing its effects.
Mediation
Conflicts are inevitable. While most can be resolved between participants, sometimes a third party is needed to keep the peace. Effectively refereeing disputes means more than just being neutral and hearing both sides and individuals trained in mediation can help.
Consultation
Consultation is a diagnostic procedure that involves the assessment of the patient’s present state of mind and how it affects his or her behavior and function. Based on various factors, the development of a personalized treatment plan, which is implemented and monitored throughout the succeeding appointments.