Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
While my first career was in the business world, my subsequent careers were being a Lutheran pastor, working as a social worker in child protective services, and being a mental health therapist. I have 24 years of experience in social work and mental health.
As a pastor, I have served 5 theologically conservative Lutheran churches in 3 states. My experience as a therapist has mostly been with community mental health clinics that provided services under the auspices of the state department of mental health.
At community mental health clinics I provided therapy to clients of all ages, many having the full range of serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma from sexual abuse and post -traumatic stress disorder. My experience in community mental health was invaluable in honing my skills as a therapist. At one clinic I was part of the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy team that provided DBT therapy to clients suffering from borderline personality disorder.
I believe that psychotherapy is a marvelous thing. It brings healing to people only through words. It is work, and to be successful in therapy one must work harder than the therapist.
My therapeutic approach is cognitive behavioral, which means that I help the client to change beliefs that are false (example: “I believe I am worthless due to my history of sexual abuse as a child.”), and change behaviors that are unhealthy and which stand in the way of a life that has joy and peace. That means that the key factor in my approach is CHANGE. My successes have been with clients who are willing to do that.
I look forward to working with you!
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Richard Tragasz transitioned from a first career in the business world to roles as a Lutheran pastor, a social worker in child protective services, and later as a mental health therapist. He served five theologically conservative Lutheran congregations across three states and has worked in community mental health clinics that operated under state mental health departments.
As a practicing therapist, Richard has eight years of experience providing therapy services. He draws on his combined background in pastoral care and social work to inform his clinical work with clients of all ages.
In community mental health settings he treated a wide range of serious mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma related to sexual abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He also participated on a Dialectical Behavior Therapy team that provided DBT for clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Those roles helped him refine practical clinical skills in challenging community contexts.
Richard uses a cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes changing unhelpful beliefs and shifting behaviors that interfere with a more peaceful and satisfying life. For example, he helps clients work through beliefs such as “I believe I am worthless due to my history of sexual abuse as a child.” He describes psychotherapy as a powerful, word-based process that brings healing, and he emphasizes that progress requires active effort from the client beyond the therapist’s guidance.
He is licensed to practice as a professional counselor in both Missouri and Arkansas and brings a professional yet approachable manner to therapy. He looks forward to working with new clients.
Many people wonder whether therapy delivered online can truly help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions.
One major benefit is flexibility. Individuals can meet with a therapist in the way that fits their life best – through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. This range of options makes it easier to maintain regular appointments around work, family, and other obligations.
Licensed professionals provide online care, and clients have the option to request a different therapist at any time if they need a different fit. For many people, online therapy offers an accessible, evidence-supported path to addressing common mental health and life concerns.
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