I’m Kirk Shelton, a Licensed Professional Counselor offering online therapy services to individuals in Missouri, Kansas, and Florida. If you’re considering therapy for yourself or someone else, let’s connect and assess if we’re a good fit. You can request a free 15-minute consultation below, or feel free to reach out directly.

  • Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma/PTSD, Abuse, Existential Issues, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss
  • Therapeutic Approaches: EMDR, Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt, CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, SFBT
  • Insurance Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Optum/UnitedHealth, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, and more
  • Session Cost: $145 (If not using insurance)
  • Service Areas: Missouri, Kansas, Florida

Who I Work With

I work with individuals navigating life’s complexities, whether it’s through major transitions, trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming stress. My approach is rooted in understanding that everyone processes and experiences the world in their own unique way. If you’re seeking clarity and a deeper connection with yourself, I’m here to guide you. Therapy is most effective when you’re ready to explore the layers beneath your struggles, especially when the ways you think and feel might sometimes feel misunderstood or out of sync with your environment. Whether you’re just starting to examine these patterns or have already been on a path of personal growth, my goal is to help you cultivate confidence and find peace with who you are, exactly as you are, wherever you are on your journey.

In my person-centered practice, I prioritize learning from your unique vantage point, including those shaped by neurodivergence. I offer an affirming space for all neurotypes, valuing your perspective and creating a supportive environment where we can explore your experience together.

My Approach

I draw from a variety of therapeutic methods, but my approach is grounded in a person-centered philosophy. I believe everyone has the capacity to adapt and find their way forward with the right support. I’ll meet you where you are and work with you to explore your experiences and challenges. While I use techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), these methods are tailored to what you need at any given moment. As an EMDR-certified therapist, I’m particularly equipped to guide you through trauma work and emotional healing, always with flexibility and respect for your unique process.

“We cannot change, we cannot move away from what we are, until we thoroughly accept what we are. Then change seems to come about almost unnoticed.”

– Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy

Trauma and EMDR

Trauma can deeply affect how we feel and function, but it doesn’t have to control your life. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that can help you process and heal from troubling memories. By using bilateral stimulation, traditionally eye movements, EMDR helps your brain reprocess these memories, easing their emotional impact and allowing you to move forward with less disruption.

I also use the Flash Method, which targets trauma more quickly and efficiently, and CIPOS (Constant Installation of Positive Orientations), which reinforces positive beliefs and helps shift your internal narrative. These methods, combined with traditional EMDR, allow us to process memories and build a stronger, more empowering foundation for your future.

Together, we’ll identify the memories causing distress and address them step by step. The process is structured but flexible, moving at a pace that feels comfortable for you. As we work through these memories, EMDR helps shift negative beliefs tied to trauma into more positive, empowering ones. This allows you to recall difficult memories without being overwhelmed by them.

“Beneath the surface of the protective parts of trauma survivors there exists an undamaged essence, a Self that is confident, curious, and calm, a Self that has been sheltered from destruction by the various protectors that have emerged in their efforts to ensure survival. Once those protectors trust that it is safe to separate, the Self will spontaneously emerge, and the parts can be enlisted in the healing process.”

– Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

What to Expect in Session

In therapy with me, you’ll experience a space shaped by my commitment to the person-centered approach. Our work together will be grounded in understanding your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgement. Therapy is not about me giving directives, but about partnering to explore your world and address what is meaningful to you. Expect to uncover and reflect on the ways you engage with yourself and others, and how past experiences might be shaping your present. I’ll support you in recognizing unhelpful patterns and ways of thinking when they arise, but it’s always within the context of your autonomy and self-discovery. My goal is to help you gain a deeper sense of self-awareness and strengthen your ability to navigate life’s challenges with more confidence. Throughout, I may offer tools or exercises between sessions to help you integrate what we explore in therapy into your daily life.

“I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story.”

– Irvin Yalom, Momma and the Meaning of Life: Tales of Psychotherapy

Why Choose Therapy?

In a complex world, therapy offers clarity. It’s not just about talking through problems, but about understanding them, recognizing patterns in your thoughts, and finding ways to move through life with greater confidence. Therapy helps you reconnect with yourself, challenge limiting beliefs, and trust your own decision-making. While it’s not a quick fix, with the right support and effort, therapy provides tools for lasting change and a clearer perspective on navigating life’s challenges.

Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about helping you heal from what’s been buried or suppressed. This isn’t a one-sided process where I just tell you what to do. Therapy is collaborative, where we work together to explore your thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. At your pace, we’ll uncover what’s been weighing on you and find a path forward that feels authentic to who you are.

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

– Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Insurance Billing

I am in-network with several major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Optum/UHC, Humana, and Cigna. This means I can directly bill your insurance for you, making the process as simple and straightforward as possible. If you have any questions about your specific plan or coverage, I’m happy to assist you in navigating the details and ensuring that you understand your benefits. (Please note that at this time, I cannot bill Medicare or Medicaid.)

If you’re ready to explore this process, feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation, ask any questions, or set up your first session.