Reagan Duenckel, PLPC

04/28/2026

Theo Von talking about such an important question in the bible "Do you want to be healed?"

In therapy, the question is similar... do you WANT to get better?

Much like Theo, a lot of us contemplate if we are really ready for that change. Theo was just brave enough to state it out loud.

In his podcast episode, he goes on to talk about wanting a new story but how scary that can be, because he knows how to navigate his current struggles. And change means being unfamiliar with yourself.

Theo shares that he asks God for the next part of "him", and a new story, and that he has been praying honestly and asking God to help him and come to him.

If you're a Christian, and you're wanting a new story, but feeling scared about how to navigate that, know that therapy CAN help. Asking God to meet you in your struggles CAN and DOES look like meeting with a trusted professional to help you. It is okay to need support. After all, we all need and deserve connection.

Want to talk more but have absolutely no idea where to start, please reach out. I would love to chat with you, even if you're not ready for therapy yet.

04/26/2026

04/26/2026

Life can feel kind of bitter or sour like lemons sometimes…

And lately I’ve been thinking about the idea of “turning lemons into lemonade” 🍋

Not in a toxic positivity way—but in a real, grounded, maybe even faith-filled way.

Some seasons are just hard. Anxiety, burnout, feeling distant from the version of you that you hoped for, feeling lost in your faith… it’s a lot.

But that doesn’t mean those seasons are wasted.
So much good can still appear in middle of it—not just after it’s all “better”.

If you’re in a hard season right now, you don’t have to carry it alone. If you’re tired of the bitterness and sour taste of life, let’s work together to find ways to make some lemonade from time to time. 💛

I offer telehealth therapy for women and young adults in Missouri. I also offer for sessions to have a Christian based approach, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Shoot me a message today to learn more!

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

Do you ever think about how many things in life are just… made up?

Like how the “rules” and “guidelines” we follow for some many things are actually arbitrary?

Take the flowers by my driveway, for example. Technically, they’re considered w**ds... but I think they’re gorgeous, and they bring me joy.

A w**d, by the way, is defined as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth" by the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

So… a w**d is just a subjective term? What if I value it? Does that mean I can call it a flower? Because that’s what I’m going to do. 🤷‍♀️

It makes me wonder how many other things in life are “made up”—given value or robbed of it based on some random definition or rule someone else decided on.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live by another human's silly rules—especially if they don’t know me, don’t value what I value, or don’t know my heart.

If I think a “w**d” is pretty, it’s a flower—and I’m keeping it right there by my driveway.
If I want a snack while I cook dinner, I’ll eat it, because I'm hungry and I'm allowed to eat.
If I want to stay home on a Friday night because I enjoy it more, I will, because that's what makes me happy.
If I want to take a nap on a Saturday afternoon, it’s not wasting the day—it’s spending it in a way I value.

You get the point.

Things don’t always have to be so serious. Just because society says things have “always been” a certain way doesn’t mean they always have to be.

We get to decide what has value in our own lives and choose to pursue those things—especially when they align with our faith, our goals, and our purpose.

We can make our own rules. We can choose joy. We can choose peace. We can find value in things others overlook—because we’re allowed to, and because we can.

Long story short: you have a choice. You’re allowed to see things differently, with a fresh perspective. Don’t let society’s made-up rules hold you back from being the best version of yourself.

Who knows—you might actually be a flower after all. 🌸

And if you've read this far and are wondering how the picture of my dog fits into this... it doesn't...and it doesn't have to.

Daffy is just cute and I took that picture at the same time I was taking pictures of the flowers. And, because there are no "rules" about how a post on Facebook HAS to look, I decided to include a picture of her and her stick. :)

**dsareflowerstoo

04/14/2026

"I don't need a therapist, my bestie is free!"
"Wine and a bubble bath is my therapy."

"Therapy is just a place where people vent and complain."
"You're just paying someone to agree with you."

"They'll make you talk about things you don't want to discuss."
"What's talking about it going to do anyway?"

✨ Ever heard these phrases or something similar? They can cause so many misconceptions about what therapy is about.

🗣️ So, allow me, a therapist, to explain what therapy is ACTUALLY like.

🔒 Therapy is confidential. It's between you and your therapist. It is a space where you can say what you want and need to say, without it going anywhere. No friends or family gossiping about what said.

🧍‍♀️ Therapy is a space for YOU. A full hour of time where you get to be the topic of conversation. No sharing it with a friend or trying to balance talking about yourself and listening to their worries or problems too. No guilt needed.

🧩 Therapy is fit to your own needs. Each approach, every question, and all interactions are crafted by your therapist based on their training and expertise to help YOU. It's not just sitting here asking how it makes you feel a million times or telling you to think positively.

🤝 Therapy is a collaborative effort between you and your therapist. I always tell my clients- "You are the expert on you." This means you know your motivation level, the thoughts that keep you "stuck", and the truth. Change is always more meaningful (and actually effective) when it means something to YOU.

🌱 Therapy is growth-focused. It is meant to help you move forward- healing, processing, changing, and growing. It is meant for people who are ready to feel better, to release anger, fear, doubt, or shame, and to see things with a new perspective. It isn't easy, but it is so so worth it.

04/07/2026

Mental Health IS Health.

Your emotional wellbeing DOES matter. Period.

Taking care of yourself and working to process trauma, find your joy, improve communication skills, and/or advocate for your own needs ARE important.

Our body does feel what our brain experiences. All of that stress, negative self talk, grief, and more... it will show up in your body through physical symptoms if you ignore your mental health needs long enough.

Reducing stress in your life will likely improve your physical health in some way. Your brain and body are far more connected than you think. (Google what the vagus nerve does for your mental health- you'll be mind blown at the connection to your physical health.)

Seeking support for your physical health isn't considered weak, so why do we view mental health so differently?

It's time to change the narrative. Take care of yourself. Reach out. Seeking help isn't shameful. It's necessary for your wellness.

I'm here for you. Whether it's a few sessions to check in and get you back on track, or a long-term goal you have for your mental health. Message me today to see what game plan might be best for you.

03/30/2026

Butterflies may not be able to fully see or appreciate their own wings. They may have no idea how beautiful they truly are.

And as I think about that, my mind immediately goes to how we as humans aren’t so different…

We often fail to see the beauty in ourselves and our own lives.

Instead, we’re caught up-
comparing ourselves to others,
beating ourselves up mentally for little mistakes, and feeling or believing we’re just not enough.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We can change the narrative.

We can all work to lift each other up and remind each other how beautifully, fearfully, and wonderfully made we are. (Psalm 139:14).

And, in trying to be more like Christ, not of the world, (1 Sam 16:7 -in part- "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.") we can uplift each other and remind those around us just how beautiful they are- inside and out.

If you’re a Christian, you may also believe that God sees and values you far differently than the world does. He sees your beauty and celebrates every part of it, even when we struggle to see it ourselves.

There are so many wonderful things to value in ourselves and others. To just name a few:

Honesty
Reliability
Optimism
Creativity
Friendship
Kindness
Intelligence
Athleticism
Talents
Humor
Resilience
Strength

Often, in middle school, high school, and beyond, so many girls and women struggle to see their own beauty. We then compare themselves to others and have silent internal battles regarding their own appearance- leading to low self esteem, body image issues, and more.

I work with my teenage and young adult clients often to practice regular habits to improve their ability to speak kindly of themselves, celebrate strengths, and to remember that their body and appearance are truly the least interesting thing about them-- that their hearts, their minds, and their souls are what are so beautiful and to be celebrated daily.

In the same light- speaking kindly of others can then create that ripple effect or butterfly effect, and help create a whole shift into how we speak about our sisters (and brothers) in Christ-- a major shift from the cultural norms of bullying others, judging those who look different, comparing oneself to others, and more.

So, let’s put it into practice!

Comment below and tag a sister/friend/someone you look up to. Remind them of their beauty and see if it helps you to remember your own beauty along the way.

03/24/2026

I already know I'm not the only person who experiences a good ole ✨crash out✨ from time to time.

And- if you're like me, when the emotions become too much, you can't even get the words out to tell your favorite humans what you need most in the moment for support.🙃😣

So... I've made a list for your benefit. Take it as a little therapist freebie. 😆

Known as co-regulation skills, it's when we lean on our favorite trusted humans for support to help get our thinking brains back online when the nervous system decides it wants to take over and make us feel like we're losing our minds.

Check out this list and send your favorite options to your favorite human so that next time you need the support, they can be there for you in a way that actually helps you calm down. 😉😎

I'm rooting for you!

03/24/2026

If you've been looking for a sign, this is it. 💙

03/19/2026

I was running late this morning.

Typically, doing so throws off my mood. I’m flustered, anxious, and feeling behind in every way if I’m late.

But today, I decided to just embrace the fact that I was late.

I took a deep breath.
Reframed my mindset.
Didn’t rush the rest of my routine.
Reminded myself everything would still be okay if I was late.

And then… I looked up and saw this!

Do you see this GORGEOUS sunrise?!

If I had rushed myself to be on time today, I would’ve completely missed this artwork in the sky!

I smiled. I stared at it. I soaked it in.
Ugh, I just love a good Missouri sunrise!

Sometimes, slowing down and just staying present is more rewarding than rushing and having our mind already set on the next thing.

I hope you take some time today to slow down and take in the beauty of life around you.