VIDEO COMING SOON
MATT'S STORY
Our founder and director, Heather Freeman, was motivated to start this program after watching her own loved ones struggle.
Meet Heather's brother-in-law, Matt. In 2018 he left us in a car accident on his way to bring others into a recovery center, but his life was full. His smile and laugh contagious. Matt was larger than life. He never did anything halfway and never knew a stranger. Matt had a charisma that was unmatched, but he also struggled with addiction during periods of his life. Being 13 years younger, seeing him as a big brother, Heather saw the impact it had, holding him back from in many ways. When she was a teenager, there were a lot of "what if" questions she asked herself as he struggled.
What if someone had been able to see his need for help before it escalated to addiction? What if he had found help sooner? What type of man could he have been without these struggles. These questions motivated her through her middle school, high school, and grad school career, leading her to seek out a position working with high-risk clients as a licensed professional counselor.
Matt's story may have ignited the fire that would become Awaken360, but the countless stories of struggling and hurting people since then have stoked the flames that keep the team at Awaken going strong.
Accepting Medicaid, Healthy Blue, United Healthcare Community Plan, Home State Health, Commercial Insurances, Children's Treatment Services, and Self Pay.
Heather Freeman, M.A., LPC
Founder & Executive Director, Counselor
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Heather began her work with at-risk youth and their families at a residential treatment center where she worked for almost ten years treating clients with trauma and abuse backgrounds, self mutilating behaviors, depression, suicide, anxiety, aggression, hallucinations (audio and visual) and parent-child interactions. She coordinated with military personnel (NCIS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on sex trafficking cases, specialized in safety and reintegration assessments for sexual maladaptive behaviors and predatory behavior clients, facilitated anger management groups and de-escalation interventions training for direct-care staff, as well as implement a self-developed cognitive behavior therapy intervention. She holds a Master or Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor or Science in Clinical Psychology and Child and Family Development. She is a Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and is a Missouri Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her passion of helping people unlock their God-given gifts to find and seek the purpose interwoven in their lives began when she was just 12 years old witnessing the struggles of loved ones who battled life-controlling adversities with minimal community resources. It was then that she dedicated her life to meeting the needs of her neighbors so that together as a community we can restore hope and empower families.
She is also the author of Waging War: A Christian’s Cognitive Behavioral Health Workbook, the program workbook for Awaken360; the word of God forming the basis of a cognitive behavioral approach to victory in your life and over darkness made available to all. She is also the co-author of 13 Reasons to Live, a book about the choice of life or death in a suicidal mind.
Accepting Medicaid, Healthy Blue, United Healthcare Community Plan, Home State Health, Commercial Insurance, and Self Pay.
Rebecca McGarry, M.A., MSW
Counselor
We are wired for connection and belonging but so often many of us feel completely alone: unwanted, unworthy and unloved. We keep going in survival mode as our mind and body shout out to be seen, to be heard, to be taken care of. Rebecca’s passion for mental health comes from seeing the negative impact of stigma and lack of access to mental health services in her own life and those around her. Her goal as a therapist is to provide a safe space where you can process the stressors and struggles of life. A safe place for you to identify your goals, and receive support and encouragement as you work together to explore, heal, grow and connect.
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Areas of Therapeutic Concentration:
Anxiety; Depression; Self-esteem; Transitioning to Adulthood; Interpersonal Relationships; ADHD; Anger Management
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Rebecca started out providing in home services, for adolescents from ages 2 to 22 and their families who are experiencing extreme behavioral health symptoms. She have over 7 years of experience working with clients who have experienced trauma, in many different forms, and have symptoms of depression, anxiety, attachment, ADHD, PTSD, and ODD. Her background is in Social Work, stressing the importance of access to support and self-care. She has extensive knowledge of area resources and the roadblocks many people experience when seeking mental health treatment. Rebecca has training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Behavior Modification and Crisis Intervention.
Rebecca has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Kansas. Rebecca is currently licensed by the state of Missouri to provide clinical services for Missouri residents as a Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Worker under the supervision of Logan Comegys, MSW, LCSW.
Elizabeth Lackey, PLPC
Counselor
Accepting Medicaid and Self-Pay.
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I recently graduated from Evangel University with my master’s in Clinical Mental Health. I have experience working with adolescents and young adults with a range of concerns including trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment related issues, and life change. My approach to treatment addresses the whole person while focusing on how your thoughts influences your behavior and vice versa. In my experience there is often a disconnect with a part of ourselves that unconsciously impacts our daily life. Together we will create solutions to help you create the life you've always wanted.
Caitlyn Thronton, PLPC
Counselor
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Caitlyn recently graduated from Missouri State University and began working with Awaken360 to offer counseling services to families and children investing in a healthier life. She is passionate about reaching those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and many other obstacles that are preventing them from living the life they seek.
Mrs. Delana Poore, PSC, MA, LPC
Counselor
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Hello! Over the past twelve years I've had the privilege of helping people in different ways. I've been a teacher in elementary school for six years, school counselor for five years, and a counselor for multiple ages for the last four years. I've learned so much in the last five years with my experience in school counseling as well as private practice. Some of my experience has been helping clients with trauma, parenting issues, anxiety, depression, motivation, self esteem, confidence, coping with life changes, as well as other topics. My husband is a firefighter, so I have front row experience with first responders and the difficulty of those jobs.
I've worked alongside play therapists and will be a registered play therapist (RPT) in November of 2023. Play therapy, I have found, can be effective with all ages to help take therapy to a new level of self-understanding by going beyond traditional talk-therapy. Along my side is my number one girl, Mizz. Mizz is a therapy dog that has been trained to work alongside me in counseling and she is a rockstar. I always ask my clients if they are okay with Mizz being around, so if you are not a fan of dogs I will leave her home that day. She likes having the day off sometimes too!
Today is your day to do something for yourself, or maybe for your child, family, or relationship. It can be a hard place to begin, but you are doing it. I believe you are the expert of your story and have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to walk with you during this part of your journey.