Select Page

Quote that inspires Brook

“Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” Henry David Thoreau

So many times we seek to always be happy which is unrealistic. Experiencing and sitting with a wide range of emotions brings long-lasting satisfaction.

Meet Brook Howell, a Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist

Meet Brook!  Brook joined Step by Step Counseling in 2014 as a Child, Adolescent and Family Counselor.  With over 30 years of experience working with children, Brook’s first career was as an Early Childhood and Elementary Educator in Nebraska and Missouri.
 
Brook strongly believes that the most profound gift we can offer our children is our willingness to grow alongside them.  As a play therapist, Brook enjoys working collaboratively with preschool and elementary aged children and their families. Since she often begins working with young children, it delights Brook when children and families who once worked alongside her return when new concerns arise.
 
 

A few areas of interest are:

  • Attachment and Relationships
  • Foster care & Adoption
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Trauma and Dissociation
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Behavioral and Emotional concerns

 

Brook strongly believes in honest and open communication and will work collaboratively alongside children, parents and family members.  Brook has been most successful with clients who want to learn, and try new things.   She enjoys the “team effort” that comes with working with her families.

Educational Background

Formal education

  • Bachelors of Science in Human Resources and Family Sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling at Lindenwood University
  • Post-Graduate Studies – Psychological Examiner Lindenwood University

Certifications & Credentials

Continuing Education:
 
  • Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
  • Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
  • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Level 1 & 2
  • Fiilial Therapy
  • Relational Neuroscience
  • Polyvagal Theory
  • AutPlay
  • Theraplay®, Level 1 and MIM
  • Sandtray Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Basic and Advanced Training
  • Trust-Based Relational Intervention 101 (TBRI)
  • TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
 
Brook will soon finish an 18 month training in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).

Articles or blogposts written by therapist

Fees & Payment Information

Fees:

  • Intake: 150/session
  • 53-60 minutes: 140/session
  • 40-45 minutes: 120/session
  • 20-25 minute session: 75/session
  • Sliding scale $90-150/session, depending on household income

Insurance:

  • Medicaid plans such as MoHealthNet, Homestate Health, Show me Healthy Kids, Healthy Blue, UHC-Community plan 
  • Commercial insurance: Optum, UHC, UMR, All Savers, Aetna, Meritain, Coventry, First Health, Healthlink

Please note:  Many plans no longer cover virtual sessions. Please confirm with your specific insurance company and your specific plan that Brook’s virtual sessions are covered.

Availability and Location

Location:

Get to know Brook!

As a widow, Brook moved to her family farm where she enjoys spending time with her furbaby Scout, giving vegetable scraps to the chickens and watching the baby goats frolic.  During time off, Brook enjoys traveling, especially for concerts or to find Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo’s trolls. For recreation, Brook enjoys reading historical mysteries, decorating her house, going for four wheeler rides around the farm, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.  While this is cliché, she loves to learn and does a lot of reading and researching in the counseling & mental health field. She’s a wealth of knowledge!

 

Work with Brook!

Brook can be described as outspoken and authentic. Clients can expect unconditional positive regard, support, and a healthy line of communication.   Brook’s professional motivation came from her time as an educator, wanting to support her students and their parents.   She sees her role as a therapist to help clients connect to themselves, those closest to them and the world around them.  The parents of Brook’s clients have reported that she is knowledgeable and honest with her feedback. They have been appreciative of her backup plans and helpful resources.  If you are interested in working with her, please schedule through our online form.