Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Vaughns-Guein.
Hi Melissa , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For most of my life, I thought my path was set in concrete—a career in criminal justice, working behind the walls of a county jail, then stepping into the role of a probation officer. But destiny had other plans. A single job shift in 1998, from the Jackson County Jail to Children’s Mercy Hospital as a home visitor, rewrote my story entirely. Suddenly, I wasn’t just enforcing rules—I was pouring into families, walking alongside parents in the very neighborhoods where I grew up. It was then I realized: This was my calling.
My early years in Kansas City’s inner city, raised with resilience and shaped by the community around Paseo High School, instilled in me an unshakable understanding of struggle—but also of strength. That foundation became my compass. For 27 years at Children’s Mercy, I’ve sat on living room floors with young mothers, advocated for survivors of domestic violence, and gently held space for children navigating trauma. Each story deepened my conviction: healing isn’t about authority; it’s about authenticity.
In 2014, I proudly added “Clinical Licensed Social Worker” to my name after graduating from the University of Kansas City, but the truth is, my education had been lifelong. My mentors—Oneta Templeton, Alice Kitchen, and so many others—pushed me when I doubted myself, reminding me that my voice mattered. Their faith in me, coupled with my own spiritual grounding (including my ordination as a minister in 2008), taught me that service isn’t just a job—it’s a ministry of presence.
By 2019, I took a leap and founded Authentic Talk, my private therapy practice. The name was intentional. If there’s one thing my clients, friends, and even my three daughters (one biological, two bonus!) would attest to, it’s that I don’t do surface-level. Life’s too short for pretense. Whether sitting across from a teen battling anxiety, a couple repairing their marriage, or a survivor reclaiming their power, my approach is the same: real talk, real solutions, and unwavering belief in their ability to rise.
Now, as I prepare to retire from the hospital that shaped so much of my career, I’m dreaming bigger. Italy awaits in 2026—a celebration of decades of labor and love—and Africa whispers to my soul. But more than stamps in a passport, I’m focused on the legacy of my practice. My goal? To create a sanctuary where clients don’t just receive therapy but experience transformation—where my 27 years of grit, graduate textbooks, and hard-won wisdom collide to light the way forward.
Because at the end of the day, this journey was never just about me. It’s about the single mom who realizes she’s enough. The veteran shaking off PTSD. The couple choosing each other, again. This is the work that chose me—and I’ll keep showing up, truer than ever, for as long as I’m needed.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road through my early college years was undeniably strenuous, initially marked by frustratingly mediocre grades as I struggled to grasp effective learning strategies. However, the bumpy start led to a necessary transformation; over the course of several years, I intentionally cultivated the effective study habits and strategic note-taking systems that ultimately paved the way for my success. This monumental shift was not achieved alone, as I was continually bolstered by a compassionate and firm support system—people who consistently held me accountable, offered unwavering encouragement, and walked every challenging step of the way with me until I finally found my stride.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Authentic Talk?
Authentic Talk Counseling Services, established in 2019, is my personal commitment to fostering healing and resilience in teens, adults, and families navigating the complexities of trauma, anxiety, grief, and challenging family dynamics. While my practice is firmly rooted in specialized certifications across grief, anxiety, trauma, DBT, Sex Therapy, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy, the heart of my approach lies in a deep-seated dedication to empathetic, honest, and understanding support. I strive to cultivate a truly welcoming and inclusive space where every individual feels safe to explore their struggles, irrespective of their past or present circumstances. My professional development is intrinsically linked to my community involvement, from collaborating with Sisters in Christ to empower women overcoming substance abuse, incarceration, and trauma, to contributing to the Missouri Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health board and actively mentoring emerging MSWs. Understanding the demands of modern life, I am committed to accessibility, offering flexible in-person and virtual sessions with intentionally varied office hours, including evenings, Saturdays, and bi-weekly Sundays, to ensure that support is available when and how my clients need it most.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Melanated Social Work Podcast, Queens of Social Work Podcast.
Social Work in a Diverse Society- Charlotte Williams & Mekada J. Graham
Trauma and Mental Health Social Work with Urban Populations- Rhonda Wells-WIlson & Anthony Estreet
Pricing:
- My current rate is $90.00-$120.00 per hour however I do work with clients who do not have insurance or EAP services by offering a sliding scale according to client’s ability to pay.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://authentictalkkc.com
