Helping Professionals Interview Series: Anxiety Therapist Lydia Sparling, MA, PLPC, NCC

We are thrilled to share that Lydia Sparling, MA, PLPC, NCC has joined Compassionate Counseling St. Louis!

Lydia is a former middle school music director, current school counselor, and passionate anxiety therapist! We sat down with Lydia to learn more about why she became a therapist, how she approaches therapy and how she helps St. Louis kids with anxiety.

Why did you choose to become a counselor?

I love making a difference in the lives of kids and teens. I find purpose in knowing that I have helped someone for the better, especially a kid who may not have received the help otherwise. I enjoy building relationships with children and adolescents and being a positive light in their lives!

What's your favorite part about counseling?

I love when I can provide insight and inspiration to my clients and help them to know that they are not alone in their experiences. I enjoy when I can relate to them and truly empathize based on my own personal experiences. Additionally, I love to see their growth! It is truly rewarding to see a client go from struggling with various concerns to thriving despite their given life circumstances and challenges.

If the client (or parent thereof) mentions anxiety, I am all in! I personally have struggled with social anxiety, especially during grade school, and when I meet a child/teen who is struggling with anxiety, I get so excited to help them through it!

What kind of clients do you specialize working with?

I specialize in anxiety, self-esteem, self-love, peer and familial relationships, depression, ADHD, body image, career counseling with teens, coping skills, grief, family conflict, and stress management.

I utilize CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), narrative therapy, and play therapy, as well as other therapy techniques and strategies to best meet your child where they are at.

What can someone expect in their first session with you?

I usually ask the client about their strengths/weaknesses, hobbies/interests, family, and other information from the initial intake paperwork. We set a goal or two for therapy and what we are going to work towards during our time together. Following that, I will usually play a get-to-know-you game to establish rapport and/or introduce the overarching topic we will be discussing in therapy.

How do you see anxiety and anger overlap in St. Louis kids?

There is frequently an overlap amongst those concerns. Children/adolescents may feel anxious about something but do not have the proper tools or resources to cope, so they turn to acting out.

This can be demonstrated in anger outbursts or poor behavioral choices at school or at home. With clients struggling in these areas, I often work on emotional regulation skills while exploring fears and addressing dysfunctional thoughts.

What are some of your favorite things?

In my free time, I enjoy going to sporting events (Go Blues!), attending musicals at The Fox Theater and The Muny, binge-watching shows on Netflix or other streaming services, and spending time outdoors when it is nice out.

How can you work with Lydia?

Appointments with Lydia can be scheduled through our intake coordinator right here. You can schedule a free phone consultation to find out more about Compassionate Counseling St. Louis and get your child scheduled with Lydia!

Curious to hear more, or are you a little reluctant about counseling? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anger management and anxiety therapy in St. Louis for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website