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Desiree Malam

Desiree Malam

LPC

Compassionate trauma-informed counselor

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  • Trauma informed
  • Focused on coping
  • Practical tools

About Desiree

Desiree Malam is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri who focuses on trauma-informed care and practical strategies. She draws on 15 years of experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, and trauma. Desiree aims to make starting therapy easier by creating a nonjudgmental space for sharing thoughts and feelings.

In sessions she uses approaches such as Trauma-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to address symptoms and build coping skills. She also incorporates Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy when it fits a person's goals. The work is hands-on and goal oriented, with concrete tools taught between meetings.

Desiree supports people with a wide range of concerns including depression, self-esteem struggles, intimacy issues, eating concerns, parenting stress, ADHD, and life transitions. Additional areas she pays attention to include blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, communication problems, and recovery from sexual assault or domestic violence.

She practices in Missouri and has experience working with individuals and couples. Desiree encourages people to take small steps toward change and offers a steady, practical approach to problem solving. If someone prefers a direct, skills-focused style that also attends to how past hurt affects current life, she may be a good fit.

To begin, prospective clients are asked to use the site’s Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire. Scheduling is then arranged according to the therapist’s availability.

How trauma-focused and skills-based approaches work online

Desiree uses Trauma-Focused Therapy to address the effects of past hurt and abuse, helping people understand how those experiences shape current feelings and relationships. The work often includes pacing, grounding skills, and rebuilding a sense of safety in everyday life.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thinking and try small behavior changes that reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills are taught when emotion regulation, distress tolerance, or relationship patterns are a focus, offering clear exercises people can practice between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they pick methods that feel manageable and fit the problems someone wants to solve.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as specific formats are set by the practice. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also let people practice skills in real-life routines and bring concrete problems to the next session for direct problem solving.

These summaries are based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp. Listing trauma-focused therapy does not mean a therapist holds a specific certification such as TF-CBT, EMDR or CPT.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsForgivenessMidlife crisisPostpartum depressionSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Credentials

Missouri

Languages

English

Licenses listed

As listed on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state licensing board and an NPI in the national registry.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Desiree address in sessions?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, intimacy concerns, eating and parenting struggles, ADHD, and related life changes.

What is her general therapeutic style?

Her style is practical and goal oriented, blending trauma-focused work with cognitive and skills-based methods to teach tools people can use between sessions.

How much experience does she have?

She brings 15 years of professional experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor working with a range of emotional and interpersonal concerns.

What credential does she hold and where does she practice?

She is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - practicing in Missouri.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Desiree?

Use the Start Therapy button on the site, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on her availability.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication; a doctor can talk with you about medical options. This directory is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

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