teen counselor
A cute, fluffy brown puppy with a black nose sitting on a floor, wearing a blue and white checkered bow tie.

Hey there, I am Courtney — the founder of Restore Counseling. I specialize in teens, women, and moms.

Restore Counseling was founded in 2020 with the hope of being a safe place for adolescents, teens, and young adults to feel seen, heard, supported, and validated.

Restore has one other staff member — he’s the furry guy to the left, Dr. Aaron Beck, the resident Psychiatrist. Dr. Beck specializes in giving out doses of Oxytocin in the form of snuggles and kisses.

View of green trees through large window with black frame, sunlight streaming in, interior furniture visible on right and left sides.
Interior corner of a room with a white bookshelf, a small wooden side table with a lamp, and a cozy armchair with a pillow next to a large window showing trees outside.
A small brown curly-haired dog lying on a cream-colored sofa with pillows and a blanket in a cozy living room.
Sign for Restore Counseling in Johnson County mounted on a wooden slat wall with backlit circular frame.
A cozy living space with a beige cushioned chair draped with a blanket, a window showing leafless trees outside, a potted plant on the window sill, and a side table with a lamp emitting warm light.
White shelves against a dark green wall with decorative items including a potted plant, framed quotes, books, a pink brain sculpture, a small clock, and a candle.

the office

The office was designed to feel like an exhale. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a sprawling, leafy green tree and the surrounding woods—bringing nature's calm right into the room. The light is soft. The view is grounding. And the space? Minimalist and warm, with just enough cozy—like the inviting couch that’s seen more healing conversations than most people’s journals.

This isn’t a sterile therapy room. It’s a space that feels safe, thoughtful, and peaceful—because how you feel when you walk in matters just as much as what you say while you’re here.

Office workspace with a white desk, an Apple iMac monitor, a white office chair with a white knitted blanket, a small potted plant, and a pen holder. The background features a wooden slatted wall with a circular sign, wall-mounted lights, and bookshelves with framed certificates and decorative items.
A woman with long dark hair sitting on a cream-colored sofa in a modern living room, smiling at the camera.

Credentials + Background + Approach

  • I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from UMKC.

  • Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology from UMKC.

  • Master’s Degree in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

  • Licensed Addiction Counselor (LMAC)

  • National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Before becoming a licensed counselor, I worked in foster care at Missouri Baptist Children’s Home as a Foster and Kinship Licensing Worker. I also spent time working in an alcohol and substance abuse treatment facility—experiences that deeply shaped my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the healing process.

In my current work with adolescents and teens, I primarily use a cognitive-behavioral approach. I believe our thoughts hold power, and helping young people recognize, challenge, and reshape them can be transformative. That said, I approach every client through an attachment-based lens—recognizing that connection, trust, and emotional safety are foundational to growth.

Our work together often includes mindfulness, emotional regulation, and practical coping strategies, all tailored to meet each client right where they are.

Mental health is just as essential as physical health—it deserves the same care, attention, and respect. I believe in a whole-person approach, and that healing doesn’t always start on the therapy couch. Sometimes, it begins with a walk outside, a deeper breath, or a return to the basics: movement, connection, rest, and nourishment.

Exercise is one of the most underused antidepressants we have. Getting outside, reducing screen time, building real-world connections, and choosing nutrient-dense foods can all be powerful steps toward emotional balance.

I also believe therapy works best when it’s not done in isolation. That’s why I involve parents and caregivers in the process with regular updates and collaborative conversations—because when we work together, growth happens faster and goes deeper.

As a parent, you are the expert on your child. Not the school, not the courts, not even professionals. You hold the clearest view of what they need, and who they can truly trust. My hope is to partner with you—not to replace your voice, but to strengthen it.

If you feel like we’re a good fit, I would be honored to walk alongside your family. And if not, I still want to support you. You’ll find a list of trusted colleagues on my Resources page, because finding the right therapist matters more than anything else.

Your child deserves the best—and I trust you to know what that looks like.

A young girl with a ponytail wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and a plaid skirt standing on a pebbled beach, facing the water, with her arms outstretched.
A young girl with her back to the camera standing on a pebble beach, reaching out towards the water, with the sea and sky in the background.
A young girl with brown hair in a bun, wearing a white top and a plaid skirt, stands on a pebble beach near the water, facing away from the camera and reaching out toward the sea.

What I believe & How I Work

Family of seven standing outdoors in a grassy area with fall foliage trees in the background, smiling and posing for the photo.

Beyond the Credentials…

The foundation of my life is my faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m a born-again Christian and a proud member of a non-denominational church in Overland Park, Kansas. My faith shapes everything I do—at home, in my relationships, and in the way I walk with clients through their own healing.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 18 years, and together we’re raising four amazing kids—two boys and two girls, ranging from toddler to preteen. I’m also a mama to two angel boys in Heaven, Knox and Max. Knox would’ve joined us in 2019, and Max was the twin brother of our daughter Mila. Their lives, though short, left a permanent mark on my heart and continue to influence how I show up—with compassion, depth, and perspective.

I grew up in a small town in southern Missouri, where life was rooted in family, faith, and Friday night basketball games. My mom was a first-grade teacher, and my dad wore many hats—high school principal, athletic director, and basketball coach. I had a front-row seat to what it looks like to lead with love, consistency, and purpose.

I proudly promote Restore Counseling as a Christian practice because I deeply believe in the power of integrating faith into therapy. Research shows that spiritual integration can lead to more meaningful and lasting outcomes—and in my experience, it helps clients anchor their healing in hope that goes beyond circumstance.