Amy Francis, MS, LPC

Amy Francis, MS, LPC is the founder of Encourage Counseling Services and has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri since 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. Amy is a member of the American Counseling Association, as well as the Missouri chapter of this organization. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in a variety of settings, including community counseling centers, in schools, at a residential treatment center, and in private practice.

Amy provides counseling services to adults and children through individual, family, and couples counseling. She specializes in working with children and families, and her experience includes helping clients in the areas of anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, behavioral issues, parenting, life transitions, and relational issues. Amy practices Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyCognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of treatment used in counseling that focuses on helping the client change specific thought patterns and the beliefs that underlie such thinking. The main premise of CBT is that a person’s thoughts have a tremendous impact on his/her feelings and the behaviors that he/she exhibits because of these feelings. This is a goal-directed, problem-focused type of therapy, and research indicates that it is helpful in treating a large variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorders. to address most clinical issues. Other treatment approaches are used, depending on the client’s needs and/or condition. In addition, she uses directive play therapy techniques when appropriate with children, and is also certified in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Amy’s warm but direct approach creates an atmosphere of safety and trust which encourages insight and growth. Her goal is to help clients become empowered to make positive changes and live their best possible life.

Stephen Nichols, MA, NCC, LPC

Stephen Nichols holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Counseling, earned in 2010 at MidAmerica Nazarene University, in Olathe, Kansas.  He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Steve has a significant amount of experience in working with clients in the areas of trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, behavioral issues, as well as extreme mental health cases.  He utilizes a Cognitive-BehavioralCognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of treatment used in counseling that focuses on helping the client change specific thought patterns and the beliefs that underlie such thinking. The main premise of CBT is that a person’s thoughts have a tremendous impact on his/her feelings and the behaviors that he/she exhibits because of these feelings. This is a goal-directed, problem-focused type of therapy, and research indicates that it is helpful in treating a large variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorders. approach in his work, which is a philosophy of psychotherapy that evaluates the relationship between thoughts and emotions as behavior change.  Steve also uses a variety of techniques in therapy, depending on what will work best for the client. Steve’s overall emphasis is the therapeutic relationship he builds with his clients.  He believes it’s in this relationship that real, authentic, lasting change can occur.