Mary Kate Short is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri (LCSW) and in the state of Kansas (LSCSW). She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Missouri. Mary Kate has 15 years of experience working with children, families, and adults in various circumstances. Having experience in the hospital, school, and private practice has given Mary Kate the experience and empathy needed to see clients from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Mary Kate primarily sees children, families, young adults, and couples. Mary Kate has a certificate in Play Therapy, is a level 1 certified Gottman therapist and is certified in PCIT (parent child interaction therapy). Mary Kate also has specific training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and draws from principles of narrative therapy, acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

Mary Kate is very interested in how the brain works in relation to the body when it comes to stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She incorporates neurobiology into her work with all her clients and has seen that yield the best results. Life in today’s world can be challenging. However, Mary Kate has confidence that people can grow and change, and she considers it an honor to walk alongside her clients as a fellow human, parent, wife, or sister.

As a therapist, my goal is to help guide clients through the uncomfortable and often painful process of making life changes and better understanding themselves. Many of my clients struggle with trauma and unhealthy coping patterns that have kept them stuck in a cycle. I am here to help clients navigate through difficult feelings, relationships, and/or experiences and develop ways to live a healthier, happier lifestyle. Also, as an athlete and a coach, I have unique insight working with athletes of all ages and levels. Unlocking the mental side of the sport and making it work for you can help you achieve your next level of competing.

The modalities I use include DBT, EMDR, person-centered, and strength-based approaches to help clients grow towards a lifestyle that feels more aligned with their authentic self.

My goal in therapy is to help teens and young adults gain the skills needed to live their best life. Life can be very stressful and depressing for teens and young adults, who many times do not feel they have any control over their lives. I believe it is important to look at the whole person, their feelings, beliefs, concerns, dreams and desires. I attended high school in Liberia, West Africa and have traveled a lot which has given me a great respect for people and different cultures, and allows me a good understanding of the many ways mental health issues are handled around the world. I identify as Hitchiti, Creek Indian and Irish.

With over 20 years of experience, I have worked with a variety of mental health concerns (ADHD, Autism, OCD, PTSD, BPD) as well as different ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender expressions. In addition, I speak Spanish, and learned French, Arabic, and three African dialects while in high school in Liberia, West Africa.

I believe that building trust, being non-judgmental, and establishing a relationship is one of the most important things between the therapist and client. It is my hope that we can connect, and you can get on the road to your best life, feeling balanced and content.

Life is unpredictable, it’s messy. We all are learning as we grow, and with the right skills we can learn to tackle any obstacles that are thrown our way. It’s important for all of us to have someone to lean on, talk to, help us grow through personal struggles, and that is how I view the therapeutic relationship. Primarily, I work with clients 18+ who struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief, personality disorders, and overall life stressors.
My therapeutic approach is person-centered that includes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic. I welcome all identities, backgrounds, and walks of life.

When it comes to counseling, it is very important for me to meet clients where they are at, understand how they view the world, and what motivates them. My hope and goal is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space for anyone who needs it, and to help as you process all of life’s ups and downs.

While Chris enjoys working with people from all walks of life, two populations of special interest to him are youth and the LGBTQIA+ community. As a retired elementary teacher, Chris has over 20 years of experience working with youth and enjoys bringing his unique ability to build rapport with them into the therapeutic setting. In addition, he also enjoys meeting with parents and helping them to understand how to better connect with their child in a developmentally appropriate way. In addition to working with youth, Chris enjoys meeting with people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Being a part of the community himself, Chris combines his own experience with specialized training to meet the unique needs of his LGBTQIA+ clients.

As a therapist, Chris views life as a big journey. He believes people often have a destination in mind they are hoping to reach; they just need help finding the best way to achieve that goal. We all encounter many roadblocks along life’s way, and we often need help navigating our way around these challenges. Using trauma-informed practices and an empathetic ear, Chris enjoys coming alongside others when they feel stuck or hopeless and helping them along the next part of their journey. He works primarily from mindfulness aware practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and he enjoys looking at problems through a metaphoric lens with Narrative Therapy.

I believe that understanding the effect your past experiences have on your current state is the way to guide your life forward, in the direction of your choice. We are all shaped by our family, education, neighborhood, and society throughout life, and curiously exploring those connections yields a life shaped by values and awareness.

My approach to therapy combines straight talk and clinical skillfulness in a safe and spacious atmosphere. I know life is serious, and also not everything is serious. I have been a therapist in Kansas City for 15 years, and a lifelong resident. I love people, and I especially appreciate the opportunity to walk alongside folks as they navigate all the really hard things.

My experience working with suicidality allows me to be present alongside very big feelings, and help bring the intensity down. I enjoy working with men exploring their emotional depth and the transitions that midlife brings. I love working with women who are curious about what more life has to offer. I have worked in a variety of settings, from agency to academia, that enable me to meet you wherever you are on life’s journey.

DBT and EMDR are my first clinical loves, but I am passionate about learning new things and experiencing all the world has to offer. I have two kids, and two cats, and an outsized affection for podcasts, spreadsheets and the enneagram (I’m a 1!). I look forward to connecting with you.

Specialties

Trauma and PTSD, Borderline Personality, Sexual Abuse

Issues

Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Coping Skills, Emotional Disturbance, Life Transitions, Self Esteem, Self-Harming, Spirituality, Suicidal Ideation, Women’s Issues

Mental Health

Dissociative Disorders, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders

Client Focus

Age

Adults

Communities

Veterans

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Dialectical (DBT), EMDR, Emotionally Focused, Feminist, Internal Family Systems (IFS). Trauma Focused

Modality

Individuals, Group

Trauma affects our brains in ways that can make us feel stuck in constant survival mode. It can be exhausting. I offer strategies to help clients process their experiences, cope more effectively, and move forward with their lives. You can find relief! And you don’t have to do it alone. Your needs are unique to your story, so your treatment should be unique as well. Whether the root of the issue is behavioral, emotional, traumatic, or complicated, I aim to help my clients make this discovery for themselves and collaborate in therapy, so it best fits their needs and values.

I have experience working with clients from a variety of ages, gender expressions, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and ability levels both physical and mental. I use a variety of techniques, including EMDR, to help clients be more mindful of the language that keeps them from moving forward so they can take manageable steps towards the life they want.

You might feel anxious or unsure about reaching out for help, so I encourage you to ask questions about how I help people find relief. That is why I offer anyone a FREE consultation to find out if I am a good fit. I would love to discuss your unique needs and hopefully ease you into your next step.

Josephine Huhs is the Client Care Coordinator and Office Manager for the Heartland Therapy Connection team. She graduated from UMKC with a BA degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

She is a Kansas City local who enjoys talking to people and getting to know their backgrounds. Her goal is to connect you with a therapist who best fits your needs throughout your journey of healing.