Female Empowered Progressions — Empowering Black Women Through Healing in St. Louis

"You've come seeking assistance, healing, and compassion."

Lets Talk!
Profile of a Black woman with a long braided ponytail against a yellow background, symbolizing strength and identity. Empowering image representing cultural pride and self-awareness, used to reflect themes of identity, self-expression, and mental wel
Evocative visual metaphor for reflection, hope, and emotional clarity—mirroring the transformative journey clients take through trauma-informed cou

How Therapy Works!

  • Reach out! We will schedule a free 15-minute consultation to find out if we are a good fit.

  • If we make a great fit, we can find a time that works for both of us to meet up every week. I'll send over access to the portal so you can easily fill out any necessary documents and intake forms.

  • During our first session, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other better. I will use the intake forms you provide to gather important information about you. Following our initial meeting, we can schedule weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions to continue our work together.

Calm and inviting therapy space promoting emotional safety and comfort—designed to reflect a grounded, healing environment for mental health sessions.

“I Look Strong on the Outside, But Inside I’m Still Carrying So Much Pain.”

I’ve spent years trying to be everything for everyone.
The one who holds the family together. The dependable one. The strong friend. The partner who always forgives. On the outside, people see me as capable and accomplished. But inside? I’m exhausted. I lie awake at night replaying the words people have used to tear me down—“too much,” “too emotional,” “never enough.” Even now, their voices echo in my mind, and I can’t shake the guilt for walking away, even though I know staying was destroying me.

I grew up in a home where love felt like walking on eggshells.
My parent made me feel like everything was my fault. I learned to shrink myself, to hide my feelings, to fix everything before it fell apart. That’s how I survived. And then later, I found myself in relationships that looked different at first but carried the same pattern—partners who made me question my reality, who chipped away at my confidence until I doubted my own voice.

I tell myself I should be over it by now.
It’s been months, even years, and yet I still feel the ache. Sometimes I miss the very people who hurt me. Sometimes I think about the children I’ve lost connection with, the friendships that ended when I finally said “enough.” The shame feels heavy, and I wonder if I’ll ever really feel free.

Most people don’t understand.
They tell me to “move on” or “forgive and forget.” But how do you forget when your body remembers? When the panic attacks come out of nowhere, when your chest tightens every time you hear yelling, when your own reflection sometimes feels like a stranger? I carry scars no one can see.

What I want more than anything is peace.
I want to stop replaying old conversations in my head. I want to stop doubting if I made the right choice by walking away. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and see someone worthy of love—not someone broken or too much to handle.

And that’s why I’m here.
Because deep down, I know I can’t keep doing this alone. I need a safe place where my story isn’t minimized or dismissed. A place where I can learn to calm my nervous system, release the shame, and finally begin to believe I deserve joy. I don’t want to just survive anymore—I want to feel whole.


If this feels like your story too, know that you don’t have to carry it alone. In St. Louis, Missouri, I help women untangle from trauma, reclaim their voice, and finally feel safe in their own skin. You’ve carried enough pain—now it’s time to let yourself heal.


“You deserve a space that sees you, that uplifts you, and that honors the journey you’ve been on. At Female Empowered Progressions, we’ve created that space—a space where healing and transformation are at the forefront.”

Empowering, Culturally-Aware, and Personalized Mental Health Services in Clayton, St. Louis City & County, Richmond Heights.

A black woman who is experiencing the positive transformation of undergoing mental health counseling.

Announcements!

  1. Good News! October 2025 Update: Female Empowered Progressions is currently welcoming new clients! Virtual sessions only at this time. Insurance, sliding scale, and payment plan options available for affordability.

  2. Client Rewards Programs starting October 21st 2025!

  3. New Attendance Policy in effect October 21st 2025!

— Lacita Moody, LPC Female Empowered Progressions, LLC

What People Are Saying:

“Lacita is the best counselor I have ever experienced. She is very attentive and provides great guidance in getting you where you want to be in life. She is great!”

— N.C.

“Words cannot express how truly I feel right now. Ms. Lacita has truly been a life changing force in my life. She’s highly professional, compassionate, caring, and truly an amazing therapist who has helped me to heal and process past traumas of childhood bullying and abusive relationships. Coming to her for therapy has caused me to re-align with myself and it has truly empowered me to love me again. For the first time, I learned to accept me again. She gave me the tools to navigate the worst traumas and come out of it. I highly recommend her services and I promise you will not be the same after leaving out of the first session. I’m so grateful for her and her lifestyle work with helping to empower women to live again. She has truly helped me to become whole again. I highly recommend her. She is my therapist for life!!!!!”

— D.W.

Our Services

  • Relationship Trauma

    Navigating the wounds left by past or current relationships takes a huge amount of courage. Our approach to relationship trauma focuses on helping you untangle patterns of emotional pain, codependency, or attachment struggles. We offer a safe, compassionate space to process betrayal, abandonment, or toxic dynamics, helping you rebuild trust, reclaim your voice, and form healthier connections.

  • Boundaries & Assertiveness

    If saying “no” feels hard or you find yourself people-pleasing at the cost of your peace, you’re not alone. Learning to set and maintain boundaries is an act of self-respect. Our work together will focus on increasing your self-awareness, building assertive communication skills, and identifying where your needs are being neglected so that you can protect your energy without guilt.

  • Self-Worth & Identity

    Many of us struggle with self-worth beneath the surface and are often questioning if we’re enough, hiding parts of ourselves, or feeling like we constantly have to prove something. We’ll explore the roots of those beliefs and gently rebuild a more compassionate, empowered sense of self. Through our work, you’ll learn to embrace your authentic identity and stop shrinking to make others comfortable.

  • Trauma & PTSD

    Whether your trauma stems from childhood, relationships, systemic oppression, or specific events, your story deserves to be held with care. We offer trauma-informed therapy that honors your pace, helps regulate your nervous system, and addresses PTSD symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance, and flashbacks. In this space, we can make space for healing and post-traumatic growth.

  • Anxiety Therapy

    Anxiety can be exhausting, racing thoughts, physical tension, and the constant need to anticipate what might go wrong. Our work is grounded in calming the nervous system, reframing intrusive thoughts, and helping you regain control over your inner world. You’ll learn practical tools to move through life with more peace and presence.

  • Depression Therapy

    If you’ve been feeling numb, hopeless, or stuck in a fog, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Depression affects how we think, feel, and show up in the world, but it is also treatable. Our therapy sessions provide a nonjudgmental space to explore your emotional landscape and rebuild the motivation, joy, and meaning that feel out of reach.

  • Somatic Techniques for Healing

    Sometimes words aren’t enough, your body holds what your mind can’t always express. Somatic therapy helps you reconnect with your physical self to process trauma and emotional pain. We’ll use body-based techniques like grounding, breathwork, and movement to gently release stored stress and restore a sense of safety within.

  • EMDR Therapy

    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy for trauma, anxiety, and painful memories. This structured approach helps your brain reprocess distressing experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming. Clients often experience rapid emotional relief and greater clarity after EMDR sessions.

  • Art-Based Trauma Therapy

    Sometimes healing begins when we put the pain into images. Art-based trauma therapy invites you to explore and express your story creatively, but the best part is that there is no artistic skill required. Using guided visual expression, we help you process emotions, release inner conflict, and access parts of yourself that may feel difficult to reach with words.

  • Burnout & WorkPlace Stress

    Coming Soon

How Will I know When I am Healing?

Healing doesn’t always look like a big breakthrough. It often shows up in quiet, subtle shifts. You may begin to respond differently, feel a little more at ease, or notice moments of clarity where there used to be confusion. This section offers gentle signs that your healing is unfolding, even if progress feels slow. Trust the process…every step counts :)

    • You begin recognizing red flags without overriding your gut feelings.

    • You're no longer consumed by past relationship memories or fantasies.

    • You stop blaming yourself for someone else’s mistreatment.

    • You set emotional and physical boundaries with greater ease.

    • You believe you are worthy of love that feels safe, respectful, and mutual.

    • You say “no” without over-explaining or feeling guilty.

    • You notice when your needs are being overlooked and speak up sooner.

    • You stop rescuing or overextending yourself for others at your expense.

    • You feel more at peace when you honor your limits.

    • You begin attracting more balanced and respectful relationships.

    • You receive compliments without immediately dismissing them.

    • You stop tying your worth to productivity or people’s approval.

    • You explore new interests and expressions of self without shame.

    • You accept your imperfections without spiraling into self-criticism.

    • You feel more comfortable taking up space and being seen.

    • Triggers lose some of their intensity—you feel less hijacked by them.

    • You sleep more soundly and feel safer in your own body.

    • You stop constantly scanning for danger or replaying painful memories.

    • You gain more control over emotional flashbacks and shutdowns.

    • You trust yourself again—and the world begins to feel more navigable.

    • You breathe more deeply and feel less tense in your body.

    • You no longer assume the worst-case scenario is always coming.

    • You feel safe letting go of control in small ways.

    • You can pause and respond, rather than react impulsively.

    • You feel more present and less consumed by “what ifs.”

    • You notice glimpses of motivation or joy, even if fleeting.

    • You reach out instead of withdrawing completely.

    • You begin caring for your basic needs without dread or shame.

    • You start to imagine a future with possibilities, not just problems.

    • You’re gentler with yourself on the hard days.

    • You feel more connected to your body rather than numb or disconnected.

    • You identify physical signs of stress and use grounding tools to respond.

    • Your body feels less tense, jittery, or shut down throughout the day.

    • You begin to notice how emotions live in your body—and how to release them.

    • You feel safer existing in the present moment.

    • Disturbing memories lose their emotional charge.

    • You recall painful experiences without being overwhelmed.

    • You no longer feel stuck in the past—your responses feel more current.

    • You make new meaning from old pain.

    • You begin responding to life with more confidence and calm.

    • You feel emotionally lighter after expressing through art.

    • You access insights and emotions you couldn’t reach with words.

    • You feel less judgmental about your own story.

    • You explore without needing your creations to be “perfect.”

    • You use creative expression as a tool for regulation and release.

Calm waves washing onto the beach, a visual metaphor for release, mindfulness, and the healing process in therapy

We May Be a Good Fit If…

Finding the right therapist is deeply personal. If any of these resonate with you, our work together might be the grounding, transformative space you've been looking for:

  • You’re ready to explore your story with someone who honors your full humanity. Your pain, your power, and your potential.

  • You want a space that affirms your identity, lived experience, and cultural background without having to over-explain.

  • You’ve been strong for everyone else and are now ready to prioritize your own healing and self-worth.

  • You’re navigating trauma, relationship wounds, or anxiety and want tools that go beyond talk…..like EMDR, somatic work, or creative expression.

  • You’ve struggled with boundaries, people-pleasing, or shrinking yourself and want to take ownership of your voice.

  • You’re craving a therapist who blends warmth and realness….someone who will challenge you lovingly, not just nod and listen.

  • You’re tired of carrying guilt, shame, or silence and are seeking a space where those burdens can be safely unpacked.

  • You want to feel empowered again….not just to survive, but to live more fully, freely, and in alignment with who you really are.

Follow FEP on Social

Symbolic image of hope, inner light, and self-discovery—representing how counseling helps clients reconnect with their inner glow through healing and self-reflection.

Contact Me:

Thinking about clicking the button but not sure what to say in an email?

It can be difficult to email a therapist.

Feel free to copy and past the message below into your email and fill in the gaps. General questions are welcome too.

“Hi Lacita,

I am interested in scheduling a first therapy session, do you have any openings? I am looking for support with______I am available for sessions on these days and times_______. I see that you take my insurance which is_______(or I see you don’t take my insurance and that works for me.) I prefer my sessions to be virtual/in-person/or doesn’t matter. Here is a good number to reach me for a call back_____.”

My Current openings:

***October 2025: FEP currently has openings for new clients!**