Helping Professionals Interview Series: Margaret Quiring, LCSW
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we understand how important it is to find a therapist who feels like the right match for your unique needs. Our goal is to help you and your family connect with the support that fits you best, whether that's a St. Louis counselor at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis or another outstanding St. Louis area counselor. Because we're passionate about helping people find quality care, we're excited to introduce you to St. Louis teen and adult therapist, Margaret Quiring, LCSW.
Margaret Quiring, LCSW
Margaret provides St. Louis teens and adults person-centered and collaborative care. You can read more from Margaret below about her expertise, experience, and approach to supporting those she works with at The Center for Mindfulness & CBT.
Why did you choose to become a counselor in St. Louis and how long have you been working with clients?
I chose to become a counselor while working as a teaching assistant for undergraduates during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I realized I liked the parts of teaching that involved collaborative problem solving and offering support and structure and disliked giving tests and grading papers. This led me to pursue an MSW at the Brown School at Washington University, and I have lived and worked in Saint Louis since. Two of my favorite previous roles were as a training clinician in Counseling Services at UMSL and as an IOP Clinician with the Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders at SLBMI.
What kind of treatment do you provide and can you briefly share what people can expect from it?
I provide person-centered, emotion-focused and trauma-informed care across all modalities of treatment. I mainly practice CBT, ERP, and teach mindfulness, self-compassion, and DBT skills. I also use a lot of values-based work from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Clients can expect sessions to be collaborative. I often say I'm the expert in the room on OCD and anxiety, but you're the expert on your experience. We will work together to challenge negative beliefs and come up with a plan to incrementally engage with triggers to help build confidence and resilience.
What ages do you work with?
Teens and adults.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
The first appointment is a fairly standard intake -- I want to hear about what's bringing you to therapy and what you hope to take away. Then we'll make a plan for what we'd like sessions to look like going forward.
What do you wish people knew about going to counseling?
You don't have to be nervous -- but of course you will be, and that's okay! The butterflies-in-your stomach beforehand is a totally natural feeling to have when you're about to share things about yourself with a new provider.
Who are your favorite types of clients to work with and when would you refer out?
I like working with students, professionals, high-achievers, perfectionists, and especially people who tell themselves they aren't perfectionists because they don't do things perfectly enough. I especially like working with individuals with chronic physical health conditions, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
I would refer out if someone needs a higher level of care -- this means they require more support than I can offer through weekly sessions.
Do you offer online counseling?
Yes! To individuals located in Missouri.
What is one thing you would want parents of anxious students to know about reaching out for counseling?
Margaret Quiring, LCSW
Counseling can be a great resource to help students build life skills like: regulating emotions, navigating conflict, and identifying self-care practices. It's a great way to cope with the pressures of high school, college, or even graduate school while also helping students build necessary skills to navigate future challenges.
How can people learn more and contact you?
Click the orange "start the process" button on my website: mindfulstl.com/providers/margaret-quiring/
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked for a power company, in an art museum, and as a writing coach for kids and teens.
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 Margaret!
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.