Fully Human LLC
Centrally located in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Serving the entire Mid-MO area.
Office Location:
718 W. McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO. 65101
Compassionate and intelligent counseling for those overwhelmed by trauma.
Living with trauma is like having an internal alarm system that is constantly scanning for threats.We know that is an exhausting way to live.Give us a call. We will match you with a trauma-informed therapist that will help you adjust that alarm so you can start showing up for life again.
Who We Are:
Meet Chad
So glad you found me.I am an EMDR trained counselor who has the honor joining clients in their desire to heal from trauma they have experienced. It is so satisfying to watch my clients transform over time from a less-than-human to a fully human way of life.I consider myself an artist who enjoys painting, poetry, music, smoking meat, leatherworking, and “creating” in general.I believe that we are “storied” into existence. Together, I can help you examine the story you have given to your life and invite you to tell a richer, fuller one.
A Distinctly Human Experience
A House Instead of a Hospital
The first thing you will notice is that our building is an historic house. The environment does not feel like a hospital or clinic but more like someone's home.Our clients often tell us it helps them feel more comfortable.
Clients Over Quotas
We believe in more time with less people for greater potential impact.Our independent therapists keep a lighter case load than many counselors in the area which means they are not overworked rushing to reach quotas.
It’s not Magic.
It’s Neuroscience.
Chad is trained in EMDR which is an effective alternative to "talk therapy".
EMDR has been empirically proven to treat trauma, abuse, and anxiety symptoms.
who we are: Qualifications
Quality Requires Qualifications
Sure, you could learn how to bake a cake by imitating a stranger on YouTube.If they miss a step or if you make a mistake, the consequences are pretty low. But you would never think watching an “influencer’s” podcast qualified you to practice criminal law, perform open-heart surgery, give real estate advice, or fly a commercial jet airplane.Bottom Line: There are some things we cannot DIY. Mental Health is one of them.In order to move from a less human to fully human way of living, you want to choose a therapist that has the required level of skills, knowledge, wisdom, needed to get you there ethically.
Education and Certification
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MCMHC)1 –––Colorado Christian University (Full CACREP Accredited Program)2
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) from the State of Missouri 2024 and practices under the direct supervision of Merideth Lehman #2017017460
National Certified Counselor (NCC)3 –––– Board of Certified Counselors
Member of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)4
1 CACREP standards exceed the requirements set by the State of Missouri to practice psychotherapy.
2 Graduated with high distinction.
3 NCC indicates the member has voluntarily met highest standards related to academics and ethical practice of therapy.
4 CSI is the international honors society for the promotion of professional counselors with an emphasis on academic and ethical excellence.
Additional Training
EMDR Trained.
EMDR has the status of being an evidenced-based treatment modality that is proven effective in treating symptoms of trauma, abuse, anxiety, and panic. It is an alternative to traditional “talk therapy”.Sandtray Therapy.
Understanding Trauma in Refugee and Immigrant populations.
Grief Work with Older Populations.
Suicidality in Adolescents in a Digital Age.
Use and Ethics of Teletherapy.
Experience treating clients from African, African American, Latino, Jamaican, and Caucasian ancestry.
Living Fully Human begins with a tap.
Who We Help
Anxiety and Overwhelm
Ella is a sophomore in college, and it is the first time she has lived in a different town than her parents.Not only is she feeling the pressures of her studies, but also the weight of “adulting”. Most of her life she was a confident young woman but lately she is feeling more insecure and tends to ruminate over her social interactions from the day. She notices her mind is quite loud so she escapes into a Netflix show or scrolls Tik Tok videos to distract herself. She feels guilty about being so anxious because she had a good childhood. But her harsh self-criticism hasn’t given her more inner peace.Everyone experiences anxiety. It is just part of being a human.But sometimes it can reach a level that restrict our ability to properly relate to work, school, and people closest to us. When we notice we are worrying about lots of different things, imagining all possible scenarios before making simple decisions, rewriting texts and emails to get just the right wording, it might be time to get some help from someone who understands. Working with a qualified counselor can help you get to the root of the fear.
Trauma and Abuse
Deshaun is in his late 30’s and a father of four and he has not been sleeping well for months.He has repeated intrusive thoughts that he cannot seem to ignore and there are times at work when he does not even feel “real”. Deshaun grew up in a family culture where “we don’t talk about it” was the answer to hard things, especially if you were a man. Despite numbing out with cannabis every night, he feels shame about the past and alone.Trauma is the mind’s neuro-biological response to bearing the unbearable.Trauma can come in the form of surviving a car crash or an assault. It can also be caused gradually in childhood through things such as prolonged periods of food scarcity, unreliable or emotionally detached parents, or exposure to neighborhood violence.A common sign trauma is the constant “scanning for threats” paired with an inability to feel safe even in safe places. Some people respond to certain talk therapy approaches to heal trauma and others respond to EMDR, which requires much less talking. Chad can offer both types of treatment.
Grief and Loss
Mary is in her 60’s and recently lost her husband in an accident.There was so much to focus on with the funeral, the selling the business, and being strong for the rest of the family that she never had the time to process her own emotions. Why did God let the accident happen? Who is she now that she is no longer someone’s wife? Mary is weary of the heaviness in her heart, but healing feels like it would be dishonoring her beloved.Live long enough and we will experience loss and the grief attached to it.Grief is a normal part of being a human, whether it is the death of a loved one, a pet, a career, or a dream that will never be realized. Though loss is normal, there are circumstances where the loss can be overwhelming, and we become stuck in “survival mode”.We need a compassionate and confidential “third-party” willing to listen to our story and help us process what we have experienced without all the well-meaning platitudes.
Religious Trauma
Nick loves Jesus and has identified as a Christian since he “got saved” at Bible Camp in middle school.He was raised to take the Bible seriously and has tried to live out what it says. But there have been several social shifts that have challenged his thinking of what it means to be a Christian. The behaviors and statements of Christians in his church during the last election seem to contradict what he reads about Jesus.His pastor has simple answers for complex questions and shuts down attempts to explore other explanations. The church culture feels controlling of people’s time and money. There is a suspicion of those that don’t dress, talk, or act like those in the church and Nick has occasionally been a target of that suspicion.Religious trauma is a type of developmental trauma that occurs over time.It is a term that encapsulates the overwhelming experience of people who belong to a spiritual community of people they believed cared for them but have come to realize it was undermining their sense of self, others, the world, and God.It is found in high-control religious/spiritual groups where certain individuals wield a level of power over others. People are subtly trained over time to disregard their own thoughts, feelings, and even bodies as “unreliable” through gaslighting.Healing from this kind of trauma involves regaining a sense of autonomy, paying attention to our body, and having a non-judgmental space to process all the things in our head.
Living fully human begins with a tap.
Service Fees
When you ignore your own mental health, your whole life pays a tax that restricts your ability to function and connect as a human.But instead of paying a tax, you can choose to make an investment in your healing and flourishing.
Private Pay Advantage
Just a few of the reasons we have chosen to be private pay:
1. When a client uses insurance companies, the insurance company dictates the treatment model and approach a client will receive regardless of whether that type of treatment/approach is a good fit for the client. The private-pay-advantage allows the client to make this important decision for themselves.2. Insurance companies control the number of sessions a client will receive to a limited number.
In contrast, the private-pay-advantage allows the client and counselor the freedom to collaborate on a treatment plan and it can be modified as they go.3. Insurance companies can control which counselor you are allowed to see. This is called “in-network”. In contrast, the private-pay advantage allows the client to research and select the therapist they are aligned with and feel is most qualified to treat their presenting problem.4. Insurance companies mandate a therapist makes a mental health diagnosis before they will pay the therapist or reimburse the client. They are also often required to make this diagnosis after the first session with their client!
This can and sometimes does negatively impact the client’s experience and outcome of seeking help.5. In contrast, the private pay keeps their care private. A client can receive a diagnosis if they find it helpful, but it is not required to receive treatment.
It also keeps their counselor’s notes private from insurance companies which adds a layer of protection for clients working in careers that may hold an archaic view of mental health services.
Ultimately, we believe private pay offers superior value and far more advantages for our clients investment
Mentaya
We have partnered with Mentaya to help make our wonderful services more affordable.
Mentaya is a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions through out-of-network benefits.Here's how it works:
1. Create a Mentaya account here
2. Our practice will enter your sessions into the platform.
3. Mentaya submits the claim and handles any insurance follow-up.
4. You get reimbursed by insurance!Mentaya charges a modest 5% fee per claim, which includes handling any paperwork required,
dealing with denials, and calling insurance companies.
It's risk-free: They guarantee claims are successfully submitted, or a full refund of their fees.
Compensation Rates
Our rates reflect the quality of therapy our clients receive in our area.
$100 Intake Sessions (60-70 mins)
$75 Individual Counseling Sessions (45-50 mins)
$75 Parent Training Sessions (45-50 mins)
$100 EMDR sessions (60 mins)
Training/Seminar for you organization (Schedule a call)
Living fully human begins with a tap.
FAQs
Q: I think I am ready to start counseling services. What are my next steps?
A: Congratulations on wanting to work towards your mental wellness! There are three small steps to take next:
Tap the schedule button to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. This short call gives you chance to ask any questions about the counseling process, payment, and expectations.
At the end of the call, you can schedule your first session.
Once your first session is scheduled, you will be sent intake documents through a HIPAA compliant, private client portal to read and complete before your first session.
Q: What should I expect at our first therapy session?
A: Great question! The first session is called an “intake” session, and it is the time when your therapist gathers lots of information about you to better understand you.Your therapist will gather information about family history, medical history, mental health history, occupation, culture, religious/spiritual beliefs and practices. You will also be able to tell your therapist what problem you are facing and symptoms you have been experiencing.Some people feel a little awkward or vulnerable talking about themselves. This is quite normal!
However, after a few session that awkwardness will be replaced with familiarity and later courage as you work together towards your mental wellness goals.
Q: Is there paperwork I need to read before my intake session?
A: After you schedule your first session, your therapist will send you the necessary forms to the email address you provide via a private link to your client portal. You will need to have all the forms read and completed 48 hours before your first session. This allows your therapist ample time to prepare.
Q: What is the counseling process at Fully Human LLC?
The counselor and client spend several sessions getting to know “the problem” from the client’s perspective and what the client wants their preferred future to look like.Next the counselor and client collaborate on a treatment plan that the client is willing to enact. Periodically, there will be “check-ins” with the plan to see if something needs to be modified.Finally, when the client reaches their goal or makes sufficient progress the counseling relationship ends.
The counselor and client spend several sessions getting to know “the problem” from the client’s perspective and what the client wants their preferred future to look like.
Next the counselor and client collaborate on a treatment plan that the client is willing to enact. Periodically, there will be “check-ins” with the plan to see if something needs to be modified.
Finally, when the client reaches their goal or makes sufficient progress the counseling relationship ends.
Q: If I start counseling, does it mean I have to go forever?
A: Not at all. Once you and your therapist agree you have reached your goal, you immediately begin the termination phase of treatment. You can always come back later to work on something else as the need arises.
Q: How long will the process take?
A: That depends on several factors such as the person seeking help, the mental challenges they are currently experiencing, their motivations to change, consistency of sessions, and the future they are wanting to achieve.Having said that, our aim from the start is to help you terminate counseling as soon as you have reached your identified goals. You could say our therapy process is focused, temporary, and yet adjustable.We suggest new clients to commit to at least four sessions. If after four sessions you notice you are experiencing some benefit from the therapeutic process, then consider fully committing yourself to the process and your mental wellness.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: Whether or not to work within the insurance company’s stipulations is a personal decision each counselor must wrestle with.Fully Human LLC is private pay for a variety of reasons explained on our payment page. In short, we believe private pay offers clients higher value and a superior counseling experience.However, we do provide a Superbill for clients who choose to use Out Of Network (OON) insurance benefits.Additionally, we work with Mentaya to help clients receive their maximum OON benefits.Each client must determine how valuable their mental health is to them.
Q: What makes Fully Human LLC unique in Jefferson City?
A: Our therapy setting is unique.The first thing clients of all ages notice is that we conduct counseling in an historic brick house instead of a hospital or clinical office. Our clients have told us this immediately sets them more at ease with the counseling process which can enhance the outcome."More time with less clients for greater potential impact."
Choosing to be private practice and self-pay allows us to intentionally keep smaller weekly case load. In simplest terms, this means the therapist is not running back-to-back sessions every day to meet quotas.More time with less clients allows the therapist daily pauses to think through ways to help each unique client and also opportunities to collaborate with other knowledgeable therapists for greater impact.Most importantly, an intentionally smaller case load means your therapist can be fully present with you, listen more deeply, and have more emotional energy to serve you.While specific results cannot be guaranteed (since the client has responsibilities in the counseling process as well), carrying a smaller case load maximizes potential for your therapist to have a greater impact.
This business value is our effort to practice our understanding of what it means to be fully human.
Q: When are you available for therapy?
A: Availability is typically on the hour, Monday through Thursday from 8am – 6pm.
Q: Your website says you offer Educational Seminars and Trainings for organizations and groups. How can I find out more about that service?
A: It is best to book a 15 minute phone call to answer your questions more fully.Seminars provide education on a variety of mental health topics within the therapist area of expertise in a group setting.Seminars are a wonderful way to educate your group or organization about the realities of mental health challenges while giving attendees the opportunity to interact with a therapist in a educational environment instead of a therapy environment.