Journey Embraced LLC

06/16/2026

Journey Embraced Counseling is growing, and we are excited to add two therapists to our team in Shawnee, Kansas.

We are currently seeking:

• A clinician with experience treating substance use disorders
• A bilingual (English/Spanish) clinician

We welcome applications from fully licensed clinicians as well as pre-licensed clinicians pursuing independent licensure who have strong clinical skills, relevant training, and a passion for serving diverse client populations.

At Journey Embraced Counseling, we are committed to providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and high-quality care to individuals, couples, families, and children throughout the Kansas City metro area.

What we offer:
• Flexible scheduling
• Administrative and billing support
• Referral opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications:
• Active Kansas license or associate-level license working toward independent licensure
• Professional liability insurance (or ability to obtain)
• Commitment to ethical, client-centered care
• Strong clinical and communication skills

To apply, please submit your resume to Tanise Smith at [email protected]

Our office is located in Shawnee, KS.

Please share with clinicians in your network who may be a great fit for our growing team.

05/07/2026

Journey Embraced Counseling is excited to introduce Coping Through Singing — a faith-based group for 5th & 6th graders who love music and are ready to build confidence, coping skills, social connection, and emotional awareness through song 💜🎶

Songs will be led by Aubree Smith, 2025 KC Superstar 2nd Place Winner and 2025 Miss Juneteenth. Aubree is currently pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology at Avila University with a focus in Music Therapy.

Therapeutic facilitation and clinical oversight will be provided by Tanise Smith, MS, LCPC.

05/07/2026

Please join Journey Embraced Counseling in congratulating our own, Debra Richardson on being named a Semi-Finalist for Kansas City People’s Choice Awards — Best Therapist! 💜🏆

With over 30 years of experience as a licensed therapist, Debra has dedicated her life to helping others heal, grow, and embrace their journey with compassion, wisdom, and care. She is deeply honored and moved by this acknowledgment from the community she loves serving.
Her impact reaches far beyond the therapy room, and our entire team at Journey Embraced Counseling couldn’t be more proud of her! 🌟
Now let’s help push her through to the FINAL ROUND!

🗳️ Vote today at: KCPCAwards.com
Thank you for continuing to support mental health, healing, and the incredible work Debra has poured into this field for three decades. Every vote counts! 💜

03/29/2026

An injury doesn’t just impact your body—it can shake your confidence, identity, and mindset as an athlete.

Recover Well Series
Mental Recovery & Return to Sport
For Injured High School Athletes

This 6-part therapy series is designed to help athletes rebuild mentally and return to their sport stronger, more focused, and more confident.

✨ In this series, athletes will:
• Rebuild confidence after injury
• Strengthen mental toughness & resilience
• Understand their competitive identity
• Learn mental skills needed to return to play
• Develop effective routines & habits
• Track progress and celebrate small wins

This isn’t just about getting back in the game…
It’s about becoming a stronger athlete because of what you’ve been through.

🗓 Starts: Monday, April 20th
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM (6 consecutive weeks)

📍 Location:
Journey Embraced Counseling
12480 W. 62nd Terr, Suite 101
Shawnee, KS 66216

👨‍⚕️ Led by: Chris Gudjenov, MS, LPC
📩 To register: [email protected]
⚠️ Limited to 10 participants

Stronger than the setback starts here. 💥

03/05/2026

Recover Well 💜🌱

03/05/2026

~Strong on the Outside. Under Pressure on the Inside.~

Athletes are often praised for their discipline, toughness, and drive.

But behind the pressure to perform, many athletes are quietly carrying:

• Anxiety about performance
• Fear of letting teammates or coaches down
• Identity tied closely to sport
• Pressure to push through stress or injuries
• Difficulty managing expectations on and off the field

This pressure affects adolescent athletes, college athletes, and high performers alike.

Mental health support isn’t weakness.
It’s training for the mind.

Developing mental resilience, emotional regulation, and confidence can make a powerful difference — both in sport and in life.

Send a message to learn more

03/03/2026

✨ Meet Debra Richardson ✨

Yesterday we talked about the hidden weight many women carry in midlife — aging parents, shifting identity, long-term marriage dynamics, career stress, and years of putting everyone else first.

This is the work Debra Richardson is deeply passionate about.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Debra provides steady, grounded support for:

• Women navigating perimenopause and menopause
• Empty nest transitions
• Caring for aging parents and sandwich generation stress
• Late-life divorce or long-term relationship strain
• Grief and major life transitions
• Anxiety and depression in high-functioning adults

Debra also works with men navigating anger concerns, helping them develop healthier coping strategies and relational skills.

She accepts UHC, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Kansas Medicaid, and EAP referrals.

If you’re in a season of transition and looking for experienced, compassionate support, Debra is now accepting new clients.

Contact us to schedule.

03/02/2026

The Hidden Burnout of Midlife Women
No one talks enough about how heavy midlife can feel.
You may be:

• Supporting aging parents
• Navigating perimenopause or menopause
• Managing teenagers
• Holding a career together
• Trying to stay connected in a long-term marriage
All at the same time.

Many women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s describe feeling exhausted — not just physically, but emotionally.

This season often brings identity shifts, grief, changing roles, and quiet burnout after years of caregiving.
If you’ve found yourself thinking:
“I shouldn’t feel this overwhelmed.”
“I just need to push through.”
“Everyone else needs me.”

Pause.

Chronic self-sacrifice eventually turns into depletion.
Midlife is not a crisis.
It’s a transition.
And transitions require support.
You are allowed to need care too.

Send a message to learn more

03/02/2026

We currently have 2 spots remaining for our Connected: Mother–Daughter Pr***en Group.
If you’ve been considering joining, this is a great time to reserve your place. Space is intentionally limited to create safety and meaningful connection.

Email to register: [email protected]