Kansas City's Best

At Simple Empathy you get the opportunity to receive mental health treatment from some of Kansas City's best mental health providers!

2022, 2023 The Pitch's Best Couples Therapist

2023 & 2024 Kansas City's Best Premarital Counselor in Kansas City Magazine, and 2022 Finalist for Best Marriage and Family Therapist

Click on a Picture to Learn More About a Therapist

Sarah Wittman

**Hi!** I’m Sarah.


I provide inclusive and affirming therapy for teens, adults, and folks in relationships, with a special focus on the LGBTQIA+, non-monogamous, kink/BDSM, and creative communities. With lived experiences in these communities, I understand how powerful it is to connect with someone who truly gets it, and I believe that shared understanding fosters trust and encourages transformative growth.


My practice is dedicated to individuals who are motivated for change and seek a holistic approach to mental, physical, and relational well-being. I approach therapy with warmth, curiosity, and a trauma-informed lens, creating a safe and collaborative space where you can explore growth in a way that’s culturally competent and client-led. You’ll be empowered to guide your healing and decision-making process as we work together.


Outside of therapy, you’ll find me making music, exploring the city, laughing at puns, and hanging out with my two cats.


LGBTQIA+, Non-Monogamous, Kink/BDSM Focused

Holistic Client-centered Approach

Kosta Kostoryz

Hello, my name is Kosta (pronounced like “pasta” with a K)! **I offer an embodiment-centered approach to mental health, therapy, and healing.**


I am a Registered Dance Movement Therapist (R-DMT) with the ADTA as well a supervised Marriage and Family therapist (S-MFT) under Kieri Olmstead. I provide individual sessions for people ages 15+ and family sessions for caregivers and their children 3-18!


When it comes to embodiment work, breath, rhythm, and play acts as the brushes, and your preferred movement, music, and expression provides the color. Excited to work with you!


Registered Dance Movement Therapist

Attachment based parent-child therapist

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist & Teen Friendly with Trauma Informed Approach

Chanelle Johnson, a mental health therapist at Simple Empathy in Kansas City

Chanelle Johnson

Listen, therapy with me isn't going to be rainbows and sunshine. Mostly because your mental health isn't rainbows and sunshine, otherwise you wouldn't be looking for a therapist, right? You are looking for someone to see the dark, ugly parts of your mind, your thoughts, your experience and sit with you in that and say, "This makes sense to me." That's what therapy is with me. I'm going to validate that those spaces you retreat to are real, authentic and scary. I'm also going to walk with you as we move out of them into the experience that you are looking for out of life.


I am intimately familiar with corporate America, the pressure to succeed and have no boundaries to prioritize a paycheck above your well being, your relationships, your interests for a company that sees you as an asset & not a human being. I can work with you both you and your relationship to help manage this pressure.


My face isn't going to be a blank slate in a session with you. You're going to see my reactions to your story, you're going to feel that I get it and want the things that you want for yourself. Humor and sarcasm are constantly in the room with us, and most of the time I'm going to be barefoot with my legs curled up in the chair as I listen to you.


Not here for the rainbows and sunshine - we're going to get real

Specializes in helping clients find themselves again

KATE O'KEEFE

Hi, I’m Kate!


My experience as an Early Childhood Educator in Kansas City revealed my true passion: fostering social and emotional learning over traditional academics. This realization guided me towards pursuing a career in Marriage and Family Therapy, where I earned my Master of Science degree from Friends University.


I am dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized therapy for individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I believe deeply in the intrinsic value of every individual and incorporate attachment-based practices to support healing and growth.


My practice is grounded in creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. I am committed to a holistic, client-centered approach, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of every individual, fostering authentic connections, and promoting overall well-being.


I can’t wait to meet you!


Family Focused Therapist - yes, kids too!!

Holistic, Client-Centered Approach

MALLORY MCNEAL

Prior to beginning her career as a Marriage & Family Therapist, Mallory built years of experience as a Registered Nurse working in critical care and trauma settings. Being a support and guide to people during some of their most impactful and intimate experiences of life in the healthcare setting led her to realizing her passion for connection and relationships throughout the many relationships we experience in our lifetimes. After walking her own path with loss, grief, and deep sadness, Mallory recognized that her draw to relational experiences combined with a fought-for-and-earned grit and tenacity had brought her to a place of being prepared to walk alongside you with heartfelt empathy as you navigate through some of your toughest challenges.


Through her own journey with mental health and my own experiences with therapy, Mallory discovered purposeful healing and experienced firsthand the transformative power of reconnecting with oneself through exploration of core wounds, innate strengths, and identifying our own personal ways of making sense and meaning of the world around us. She believes that we are all deserving of our own version of healing and finding the ability to reclaim our identity through finding meaning and purpose in our stories – both the joyful ones and the painful ones. Mallory is honored to embark on your unique journey with you.


Mallory is sex-positive and kink friendly, and a welcoming and affirming presence for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. She embraces areas of sociocultural difference with humble curiosity and an anti-oppressive approach to mental health.


BIPOC Welcoming & Culturally Affirming

LGBTQIA+ & Kink Friendly Therapist with a trauma-informed approach

Kieri Olmstead doing therapy at Simple Empathy

Kieri Olmstead

When you decide to do therapy with Kieri you are choosing to get therapy done differently. Kieri's approach to mental health treatment is raw, real and effective. She meets each client where they are at in their journey with a personable approach that lets you know that she's human too. She expects you to show up to do the hard work. Neither therapist or client is there for the fun of it. Kieri understands that it is important to get to the heart of what is causing the ongoing issues and really heal from within. With that being said, she is also funny, heartwarming and very approachable - you won't feel uncomfortable telling her everything that's bothering you.

Takes a whole world approach to therapy, bringing in themes from current events

LGBTQIA+ & Kink Friendly Therapist with Trauma-informed approach

HERE IS THE TRUTH

no matter who you choose - you are right where you need to be


Simple Empathy LLC