Dr. Karyl Meister

Dr. K. has more than six years working with people experiencing depression, anxiety, severe and persistent mental illness, crisis, and legal problems. They specialize in LGBTQ issues, particularly gender identity and transgender identity discovery processes, as well as coming out difficulties. Their PhD dissertation examined an instrument to assist trans people in determining what decisions they might want to make about their physical transition status. They also have a long history of working with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities comorbid with mental illness. They are more than willing to tackle spirituality issues with clients seeking such services.

She has taught a variety of Master’s level counseling courses during her seven years in academia, including group counseling, crisis counseling, diagnosis and psychopathology, sex and gender issues in counseling, sex crimes, psychopathy, multicultural counseling, and assessment. They earned their first PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas and their Master’s in Community Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University-West River Graduate Center. They’re currently pursuing a second PhD in Forensic Psychology, with the hope of integrating legal theories and sexual offender/victimology typologies into practice for those who have experienced sexual offenses or are struggling with sexual offending thoughts or actions. 

Their preferred theories for counseling include Choice Theory, Reality Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.