At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we are proud to provide low-cost, high-quality mental health counseling and psychiatry services to children and families across the state. While these services are essential for addressing a wide range of mental health challenges, many people may not fully understand the difference between therapy and psychiatry. Knowing which professional to turn to when your child is experiencing a mental health issue is crucial for getting the right support at the right time. This guide will help you better understand these distinct yet complementary approaches to mental health care.

Mental health counseling focuses on addressing emotional, social, and behavioral concerns through talk therapy. Licensed therapists, counselors, or social workers provide counseling to help individuals understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and improve relationships. Common therapeutic techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Play Therapy, and Family Counseling.

Counseling is ideal for addressing issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Stress Management, Relationship Challenges, Disruptive Behaviors and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sessions are typically held weekly or bi-weekly, fostering a continuous, supportive relationship between the counselor and the client. This process helps clients navigate life’s challenges and build resilience over time.

At LFCS, our counseling services are tailored to children and families’ unique needs, ensuring evidence-based care that promotes growth and healing. Learn more here.

Psychiatry focuses on the medical evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, often through medication management and other medical interventions.

Psychiatry is particularly effective for managing conditions such as ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Psychotic Symptoms, and Anxiety. Psychiatrists conduct comprehensive evaluations and develop personalized treatment plans, which may include prescribing medications to stabilize symptoms. Follow-up sessions are typically less frequent than counseling sessions and focus on reviewing and adjusting treatment as needed.

LFCS psychiatry services provide children and adolescents with access to specialized care, including evaluations, medication management, and care planning. Learn more here.

While counseling and psychiatry serve different purposes, they often complement each other. Counseling provides a supportive space for emotional growth and skill-building, while psychiatry addresses the biological and medical aspects of mental health. For example, a child dealing with anxiety might benefit from therapy to develop coping strategies, alongside psychiatric care to manage severe symptoms through medication.

At LFCS, we are proud to offer a range of mental health services tailored to meet the needs of children and families. Our counseling services are available in most areas across Missouri, providing therapeutic guidance and support wherever it’s needed. Additionally, we offer psychiatry services, including medical intervention, exclusively in St. Louis County and Franklin County. Please call us at 866-326-LFCS (5327) for availability of our behavioral health services in your area.

If you or someone you know is seeking mental health support, LFCS is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and take the first step toward a brighter future.

We are proud to announce that LFCS will be adding Behavioral Health to our services in Kansas City, and our team is moving into a new office! We believe these moves solidifies our position as a statewide leader in delivering essential services to children and families in need. 

“Expanding our services in Kansas City is a huge occasion for our non-profit,” said Mike Duggar, LFCS’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are transforming into a truly statewide organization, ensuring more children and families have access to the critical support they need to survive and thrive.”

LFCS is now offering a comprehensive suite of services to strengthen families in Kansas City. In addition to Pregnancy Support, Adoption Services, and Parenting Education, they are now offering Behavioral Health Services for children and youth ages 3 to 19 in Jackson County, a critical need identified in the community.

“We’re committed to tailoring our services to address specific needs of Kansas City children and families,” said Duggar. “In particular, we plan to focus on expanding access to our evidence-based programs for anxiety, depression, and trauma, which are significant areas of concern for both children and families in Jackson County.”

LFCS has been helping families from all walks of life during their greatest times of need for over 155 years, and their expansion in Kansas City represents a significant milestone in the organization’s long journey of creating lasting, generational change throughout Missouri.

“We are dedicated to becoming a trusted partner in the Kansas City community,” Duggar said. “By listening compassionately and responding with care, our goal is to champion the well-being of underserved populations, and provide safety and stability for Missouri’s kids.”