My Approach to Helping
About Me
Hello! I am so glad you have decided to take this step towards hope and healing. My name is Angela Farris, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 12 years of experience working with a wide variety of individuals. I am licensed in both Illinois and Missouri, and I take a holistic approach to my practice, seeing individuals as more than a diagnosis. I see myself as the tour guide on your journey. We will work at your pace and on your time. I have been told I am warm, genuine, and easy to talk to. This is how I strive to engage with every person I work with! I know it can take a huge leap of faith and a great deal of courage to take the steps towards getting help. Good for you! You have taken the first steps, and for that, I applaud you!
I have a strong background in domestic and sexual violence as well as addiction and substance abuse disorders. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University. I earned my master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a concentration in Trauma. After earning my bachelor's degree and while working on my master's degree, I worked for 6 years at a women's shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I began as the Court Advocate and then transitioned to Sexual AssaultVictim's Advocate. I worked with all ages of survivors of trauma and violence in the courtroom, conducted support groups and individual private sessions. After earning my graduate degree, I became the coordinator of a Community Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center (CPRC), in which I was responsible for the daily program for adults with chronic mental illness. This allowed me to grow as a clinician so much. Working with such a diverse group of individuals with such a wide range of diagnoses was the best experience. After earning my license, I've worked in private practice and have gained a great deal of experience working with families, couples, seniors, and individuals, honing my skills working with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and adjustment disorders.
I am more than ready to work with you on relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, coping with life changes, abandonment, BDSM, kink, alternative sex culture, blended family issues, body image, codependency, commitment issues, communication problems, control issues, coping with natural or human-caused disasters, divorce andor separation, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), self-harm, sex addiction, social anxiety and phobia, somatization, women's issues, workplace issues, and trauma. I feel I have a well-rounded knowledge base and am truly prepared to work with you!
My counseling style is warm, genuine, and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, solutions-focused, and supportive therapy. Together, we will develop a treatment plan with the goals you have to meet your individual needs.
I'm excited to work with you!