Helping Professionals Interview Series: Attachment-Focused Counseling for Teens & Adults with Madaleine Baker, PLPC, MAADCII

Choosing a St. Louis therapist is a personal decision, and we know how much it matters to find someone who feels like the right fit. At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we're honored to help individuals and families connect with effective care that meets their unique needs. Whether that journey leads you to one of our Compassionate Counseling St. Louis therapists or another trusted provider in the St. Louis community, we're committed to helping you find the support you deserve.

Madaleine Baker, PLPC, MAADCII

Today we're excited to introduce you to Madaleine Baker, PLPC, MAADCII from Lotus Rising LLC. Madaleine works with teens, adults, and couples from a person-centered and attachment-focused lens. Madaleine helps her clients increase insight, strengthen relationships with themselves and others, and build effective coping skills. Read more from Madaleine about her approach, who she works with, and how you can reach her below.

Why did you choose to become a counselor in St. Louis and how long have you been working with clients?

I became a counselor because I’ve always been drawn to understanding people’s stories and helping individuals navigate difficult seasons of life with greater clarity, self-compassion, and confidence. I have been working with clients for three years and what I value most about this work is creating a space where people feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes.

I chose to practice in St. Louis because it is my community, and I value being able to support the people and families who live here. I appreciate the opportunity to provide accessible, relationship-focused care to individuals navigating stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional difficulties.

What kind of treatment do you provide and can you briefly share what people can expect from it?

I provide therapy for individuals looking to heal their relationships with others, better understand and regulate their emotions, and build a healthier relationship with themselves. My approach is person-centered and attachment-focused, which means you can expect therapy to be collaborative—I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to guide, support, and challenge you as we work toward your goals together.

For clients healing from trauma or longstanding relationship patterns, I also incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS). IFS helps people better understand the different parts of themselves, explore how past experiences have shaped their relationships and attachment patterns, and develop greater self-compassion. Rather than simply managing symptoms, my goal is to help clients gain deeper insight, create lasting change, and feel more secure in themselves and their relationships.

What ages do you work with?

I work with ages 15 and up, including both teens and adults. 

What happens during a first appointment with you?

The first session is all about getting to know you. We'll spend time discussing what brought you to therapy, the challenges you're currently facing, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I'll also ask questions about your personal history, relationships, and life experiences so I can better understand the context of what you're going through.

Just as importantly, the first appointment is an opportunity for you to get a feel for me and my approach. A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy, so I want you to feel comfortable asking questions and deciding whether we're a good fit. By the end of the session, we'll have a clearer understanding of your goals and begin developing a plan for how we'll work toward them together.

Could you talk a little about your approach working with teens who experience anxiety and self-criticism?

When working with teens who struggle with anxiety and self-criticism, my first priority is creating a space where they feel safe, understood, and accepted without judgment. Adolescence can be an overwhelming time, and many teens feel pressure to meet expectations, fit in, or have everything figured out. Together, we work to understand where those pressures come from and how they influence the way they see themselves.

My approach is person-centered and attachment-focused, meaning I meet each teen where they are while helping them explore the relationships and experiences that have shaped their sense of self. I also incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps teens recognize that anxious or self-critical thoughts are only one part of them—not who they are. As they develop compassion and curiosity toward these parts of themselves, they often experience greater confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of self-worth.

I also believe that meaningful change happens within a trusting therapeutic relationship. My goal is to help teens feel empowered to better understand their emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and build confidence that extends beyond the therapy room.

Who are your favorite types of clients to work with and when would you refer out?

I have a passion for working with couples who want to strengthen their relationship by improving communication, deepening their understanding of one another, and learning healthier ways to navigate conflict together. Whether you're feeling disconnected, caught in recurring arguments, or simply looking to build a stronger foundation, therapy provides a space to slow down, understand one another, and reconnect.

I also specialize in working with individuals living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I know that navigating intense emotions, relationships, and a shifting sense of self can feel exhausting and isolating. My goal is to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you don't have to carry those experiences alone. Together, we'll work to better understand your emotions, develop practical coping strategies, strengthen your relationships, and build a life that feels more stable, connected, and authentic to you.

I believe it's important for clients to receive the care that best meets their needs, even if that means it's not with me. If I feel that a client would benefit from a level of care or a specialty outside of my scope of practice, I'll have an open and collaborative conversation about appropriate referrals and help connect them with the right resources.

For example, I may refer a client to a provider with specialized expertise, a higher level of care such as an intensive outpatient or inpatient program, or another professional if I believe their needs would be better served elsewhere. My priority is always ensuring clients receive the most effective, ethical, and supportive care possible.

Do you offer online counseling?

I offer both in person and virtual therapy services. 

What do you wish more people knew about going to counseling?

I wish more people knew that you don't have to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Therapy isn't just about getting through the hardest moments—it's also a place to better understand yourself, strengthen your relationships, develop healthier patterns, and create a life that feels more aligned with who you are.

I also wish people knew that you don't have to have the "right words" or know exactly where to start. It's okay to come into a session feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or even unsure why you're struggling. Part of my role is to help make sense of those experiences alongside you.

Most importantly, I hope people know that therapy isn't about someone telling you how to live your life. It's a collaborative process where you're met with compassion, curiosity, and respect. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be fully yourself, because that's often where meaningful healing begins.

How can people learn more and contact you?

The best way to learn more about my practice is by visiting my website, where you can read about my approach, the populations I work with, and the services I offer. If you think we might be a good fit, you're welcome to reach out through my contact form, email, or phone to ask questions or schedule an appointment.

You can find Madaleine online:

https://lotusrising-llc.com/about-madaleine/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/madaleine-baker-brentwood-mo/1639870

Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.

I am actually from the East Coast! I moved to St. Louis in 2018 and have fallen in love with the area. 

Curious to learn more about starting counseling? Wondering what would be a good fit for you and your family? Contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis to set up a free 15-minute phone consult. We’ll talk about what’s going on and best next steps - and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with other wonderful St. Louis-based therapists, like Madaleine!

Curious to learn more about anxiety and anxiety-driven anger? Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As child anxiety experts, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. We also provide online therapy Missouri wide to teens and college students. You can set up your first free consult on this website, on our consultation page.