Welcome to Monarch Christian Counseling
Hi! My name is Shelley Keeven. Welcome to Monarch Christian Counseling. I chose this name because the process that happens when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly is a picture of the beautiful changes that can take place within. My hope is that through our journey together, you will transform into the person God has planned for you to be and that you would become even more glorious.
Philosophy
Hi! My name is Shelley Keeven. Welcome to Monarch Christian Counseling. I chose this name because of the process that happens when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly as a picture of the beautiful changes that can take place within. My hope is that through our journey together, you will transform into the person God has planned for you to be and that you would become even more glorious.
Counseling is a road we travel together on. It is a road filled with curves and sharp angles. At times it’s winding and messy. It is also filled with expansive horizons, beautiful scenery and wide-open spaces of curiosity and delight. The counseling path is full of hope. I am glad to take this journey with you to discover more of who you are and where your story of light and darkness has brought you.
We will work together, with you directing where you want to go. I do not think of myself as being above you or having it all together or even having all the answers. People describe me as inviting, warm, kind and patient. In our sessions, we will use curiosity, questions, insights, discovery, and techniques that I’ve learned. My goal is to help you explore the questions and find the answers you are seeking.
I enjoy listening to everything you bring to the session. I believe that wrestling with questions about your story is worth exploring; we can go anywhere. Your tears are welcomed, the hard questions, your anger, sadness, depression, traumas, anxiety, and fears……all of these are so valuable to me and good for your heart to realize. I believe that God is with us in this journey together. Your story and your heart are gifts that you bring to counseling
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Missouri. The techniques I use are a combination of Narrative Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Brainspotting Therapy and Splankna Therapy. I have been practicing since 2002. I am a Christian counselor and believe that God cares about what has happened to you and He wants to help you find freedom.
Clinical Background
I have a Masters in Counseling (MAC) from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Covenant College in Sociology and Minor in Interpersonal Relationships. I have over 20 years of clinical experience. I have worked at eating disorder treatment facilities, church counseling centers and private practices. All of these settings have given me experience working with a diverse ages, faiths and backgrounds. Additionally, I have received training in traditional talk therapy, trauma treatment, Brainspotting and Splankna Therapy.
Splankna Therapy Certified
Brainspotting Certified
How My Story Helps me as a Therapist
Struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD and other mental health symptoms is something that most people will be faced with in their lifetime, and I’m no stranger to them myself. I mention my struggles here briefly and one or two ways they give me a more dynamic perspective with individuals I support. I maintain my own personal wellness through ongoing attention to self-care and personal counseling so that I thrive and am at my best with my clients.
Having experienced trauma and symptoms of PTSD, I know what it is like to have painful feelings, times of depression and overwhelming anxiety interrupt your daily functioning and create distance in intimate relationships. Having lost loved ones, I know how debilitating loss can feel, the rollercoaster of emotions that follow and the existential questions this can bring up. Having had several loved ones battle health issues, I “get” how this can change family dynamics and bring up deeper questions about life.
I know how hard it is to make changes that lead to lasting wellness and this has informed my counseling approach as I’ve passionately searched for techniques that create lasting change. I know everyone’s experience is unique, so I won’t assume mine is the same as yours. More than anything, I hope you feel heartened to know I’ve been through my share of struggles and come out on the brighter side, and there is hope for you too.
On the lighter side
I love to laugh, enjoy a good book and wonderfully long, deep conversations shared over a cup of piping hot coffee. I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen and often find I am most creative without a recipe. I love and appreciate the arts and nature; continuing to learn to find the beauty in the abandoned and broken places of our world and in my own life. I am married to my very creative and loyal husband, and we love road trips, dreaming big dreams, praying together, hiking, game nights and dinner parties.