Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Pappas, LPC
Hi Rebecca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Becoming a therapist often stems from our own journey to mental health. I am one of those therapists. While I was working in sales, I was good at my role and performed well, but it felt unfulfilling. I knew I had more to offer my community. As I reviewed my college assessments, I saw that “Counselor” was number two on the list of careers I was likely to succeed in. That made sense—earlier in my twenties, I was a hairstylist, and we all know how clients confide in their stylists. Later, in sales, my listening skills helped me connect with clients to meet their needs. I was the friend everyone turned to for advice or to work through their personal “junk.”
I quickly applied to a graduate program. In hindsight, I learned it wasn’t the best approach to apply to only one program, but I felt certain that if I was meant to become a counselor, I would be accepted. School became a place where I not only found academic fulfillment but also discovered that I have ADHD. My success in learning improved once I understood this part of myself. The Dean of my program, noticing how I struggled, asked why I wasn’t taking medication. I replied, “What medication? I’m not depressed.” He laughed and said, “No, you’re not depressed, but you have the worst case of ADHD I’ve ever seen.” Within hours, he had me an appointment. That moment changed my life.
During my internship, I developed a passion for women’s mental health. I believe, and still do, that women can heal from trauma and lead incredible lives. My experience in a long-term treatment center for women with dual diagnoses, followed by my internship at a community counseling center, helped me realize a common theme: many clients were diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or a mix of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which often mimicked BPD. That realization solidified my passion and purpose in therapy.
I eventually opened a private practice and later worked at a local hospital before joining a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) center. DBT has become one of my favorite therapeutic approaches because it provides both deep emotional connection and actionable steps for healing. I believe healing happens through connection, and DBT’s structure makes the process more tangible.
In 2024, I relocated my practice to Lenexa and began collaborating with a massage therapist on an exciting new project focused on women’s mental, emotional, and physical wellness. I can’t wait to share it with you once it’s ready. My private practice will always be my primary focus because it’s where the magic happens. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about working with clients to the point where they’re ready to “fire” me. It’s bittersweet but also the ultimate goal: to help people feel strong, competent, and ready to face life with confidence and joy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m a “glass half full” kind of person. I believe that we either win or we learn, and I haven’t yet encountered a smooth road. Opening my private practice was challenging but not impossible. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so I was fortunate to receive guidance from two strong, entrepreneurial women who helped smooth out the bumps in the road.
I gained valuable experience while working in a hospital setting, where I helped mental health patients connect with continued services and led fun, creative group sessions. I also became skilled in leading Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and billing insurance. I’ll admit, insurance billing was tricky at first, but I eventually got the hang of it. My time at the DBT program was even more intense, working with up to 30 clients a week while leading 3 groups. The workload was heavy, but I was surrounded by supportive and amazing peers, and I formed lasting friendships, including my best friend.
When I returned to focus solely on my private practice, it was just before the COVID-19 shutdown. We quickly pivoted from in-person sessions to telehealth. The adjustment was tough for everyone, but telehealth ultimately expanded access to therapy for those who had difficulty attending in person. Now, I continue to offer both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Johnson County Counseling and Wellness is a privately owned practice offering DBT therapy to women ages 16 and older. My goal is to help women forgive themselves, heal their wounds, and grow into their authentic selves. In addition to DBT therapy, I offer a spiritually informed service called Splankna. This method combines EMDR, Thought Field Therapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and prayer/affirmation statements. While this is a spiritually based tool, I work with individuals from various backgrounds—whether deconstructing religious wounds, practicing a particular faith, or holding no religious beliefs at all. I’m also attuned to energy and incorporate this into therapy when clients wish to explore it as part of their healing process.
What sets me apart is the raw, no-nonsense approach I bring to the therapy room. I know what it takes to overcome addiction, cope with ADHD, heal from trauma, and leave toxic relationships. I hold my clients accountable for their growth outside of therapy while also providing a safe, validating space where they can explore and grow at their own pace.
In my sessions, you can dress comfortably, curl up with a blanket, and be surrounded by plants that help us “touch grass” while diving into the tough topics. You might cry, laugh, swear, or sit with feelings that are terrifying to acknowledge alone. But I create a space where women feel less alone, empowered to take their power back, and encouraged to walk out with their heads held high and strength radiating.
I’m incredibly proud of my clients. They are brave, resilient women who invest in themselves and rise to find their authentic power. I have the best job.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
When it comes to my clients, I am fiercely on their side. What matters most is that they meet their goals, whatever they may be. The true measure of success for me is being the support and teacher each person needs. Together, we work on communication, emotional intelligence, and healing—transforming the world one person at a time. As my clients go out into the world, they become a foundation for others to heal too.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://dbtkansas.com/
- Instagram: @dbtkansas
- Facebook: Johnson County Counseling and Wellness
