Lesley Thalhuber, LPC
Hello, I’m Lesley. I am an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the mental health field since 1998. I spent the last 13 years serving as a school-based Mental Health Professional and Outreach Counselor, where I honed my skills in crisis intervention, de-escalation, grant writing, and navigating the complex network of community mental health resources. In my school-based role, I advocated for a diverse range of students’ support needs, assisted teens and families to successfully navigate their mental health and disability challenges; created Building Safety Plans; and addressed large audiences of teachers, parents, and students regarding mental health awareness and suicide prevention. I will now continue my advocacy work as a therapist for The Oak Center for DBT & Counseling Services and look forward to working with teens, families, and adults to provide individual, family, and group counseling. I will be able to pair with teens’ school as needed to foster an understanding of the unique needs of students experiencing self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. I will continue to coach teens with DBT skills, their best chance at lasting improvement and positive change.
Beginning in the early 2000’s, while working at Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center, I began training in DBT with Ronda Reitz and have continued with Professional Development training for DBT skills since that time. I have educated numerous students and families on DBT skills during my school-based Outreach Counselor position, where I also collaborated with Oak Center clinicians, ensuring students were well supported during the school day. In this collaborative arrangement, I witnessed numerous Oak Center clients make substantial improvements, both at school and in their personal lives. I was repeatedly impressed with The Oak Center’s success at partnering with schools to keep students safe and witnessed firsthand the vast improvements students made while in the Oak Center’s care. Because of this positive experience, I am delighted to join the Oak Center team, where I am eager to be part of the incredible work the Center offers the Mid-Missouri community, about which I care deeply.
Prior to working as a licensed mental health professional for the Columbia Public Schools, I served as Psychosocial Rehabilitation Director at New Horizons Community Support Services; an Adjunct Faculty for the Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Stephens College; and held roles earlier in my career as a Family Therapist at Boys & Girls Town of Missouri (later bought by Great Circle and then, KVC); and began my Mental Health career as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center (later bought by University of MO to become MUPC). Through these varied experiences, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the types of treatments and services available in the Columbia community, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, including acute inpatient; residential; outpatient; case management; and school-based support.
I have lived in Columbia for almost 30 years. I hold a Master of Education in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Professional Counseling from Stephens College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks, Recreation, & Tourism with an emphasis in Recreation Therapy and a Minor degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I love the Columbia community and the area’s numerous parks, trails, restaurants, thrift/vintage shopping, and music and art scene, along with Columbia’s vibrant downtown.
I have been recognized for my contributions in schools and the community, receiving the Women Doing Good for Columbia Salvation Army Award in 2022; a nomination for the Ray Lewis Award For Outstanding Educator In A Specialized Area in 2019; and the Teacher of the Month award for Rock Bridge High School from the Kiwanis Club in 2019.
I look forward to using my life and career experiences to work with you at The Oak Center.
I am currently awaiting paneling with most major insurance companies and Medicaid plans. As for now, I am currently accepting:
Medicaid (MO HealthNet)
United Healthcare
Self-Pay
(MO License #2009007261)