Jessie Cantrell - Moments Matter Counseling

04/11/2026

This is always a fun event! Jefferson County Celebrates Early Childhood at Jefferson College. So many fun free activities for 2 hours for families with young children. We have such a strong caring community for our littles in Jefferson County!

Make sure to look for this event next year. Always a great time and falls in April each year!

04/02/2026

I often get asked, "What actually happens in a PCIT session?" This video is the best 4-minute summary I've found. It covers:

0:32 – How it differs from traditional therapy.

1:17 – The Phase 1 & 2 breakdown.

3:50 – Is PCIT Right For Your Family?

As a PCIT therapist, I’ve seen these techniques bring peace back to parents time and time again. Check out the video below to see if this evidence-based approach is the right fit for your needs!

Then connect with me through my website: https://momentsmattercounseling.com/

https://youtu.be/quBNeFltsVc?si=OWCDnPbAcFS1_Rx1

I'm going to explain what Parent Child Interaction Therapy or PCIT is and why it's an excellent therapy for the most common problems in kids who are 10-years...

03/26/2026

Parenting a child with big emotions, intense anxiety, or challenging behaviors is exhausting. You might feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells, or stressing over pulling them out of school for yet another appointment just to find some peace.

But what if the most effective way to help your child didn't involve them sitting in a therapist's office?

When you have the right support, tools, and a safe space to process your own overwhelm, you have the power to shift the entire dynamic of your home! I offer individual therapy specifically designed for parents. Together, we can build confidence and strategies that create lasting change—without disrupting your child's day-to-day life.

Click below to learn more about parent-focused therapy and how we can bring calm back to your household:
👉 https://momentsmattercounseling.com/individual-therapy-for-parents

02/18/2026

It’s official! 🏅 I am honored to be a PCIT International Certified Therapist.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is more than just "play therapy"—it’s a proven way to coach parents in real-time to create calmer, happier homes. I am thrilled to bring this specialized expertise to our local area. Finding a certified provider shouldn't mean a long commute to St. Louis.

If you’re looking to strengthen your relationship with your young child and manage challenging behaviors with confidence, I’m here to help.

Visit our website to learn more or schedule your initial appointment today: https://momentsmattercounseling.com/

Check out PCIT International's website: https://www.pcit.org/

02/12/2026

When kids feel like they are the “problem,” they shut down, but when parents show up ready to learn and support, everything changes.

I believe our kids are good and capable of so much greatness. When behavior shifts, it is usually a sign of struggle, not that they are “bad.”

That is why I require parent-only sessions alongside child or teen therapy. Parents need a safe space to share fears and frustrations without their child overhearing and feeling shame.

I also offer individual therapy for parents so we can focus on how to support and guide your child in everyday life. Sometimes that means working with the parent instead of pulling a child out of school and unintentionally sending the message that something is wrong with them. We reflect on how situations unfold and how we, as the adults, take the lead in creating change. As parents, we show our kids they are worth us growing, learning, and changing. And when they see us adapt and grow, it gives them permission to do the same.

Your child’s therapy should feel safe and strength-focused.
Your space should feel supportive and skill-building.

When parents learn new ways to respond and connect, kids thrive. 💛

02/04/2026

Parenting is beautiful, but let’s be real, it can also be exhausting! We aren’t meant to do this alone. 🤍 Community is so important for our well-being.

Check out this great local opportunity to connect with others!

01/30/2026

Hi Everyone! (I have some openings in February) 😊
I believe the tiniest daily interactions like playing on the rug or a quiet afternoon chat are what spark the biggest changes for our kids.

I specialize in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Individual Therapy for kids, teens, and adults. My goal is to help you turn those challenging daily moments into opportunities for connection and growth.

I have daytime openings right now Monday through Thursday (10am – 3pm). These spots are perfect for preschoolers, homeschoolers, college students, or parents that need that extra support!

Location: I have a cozy office in Crystal City for in-person sessions, and I offer virtual appointments for anyone in Missouri who needs that extra flexibility.

Read more or Sign up for an initial appointment through my website: https://momentsmattercounseling.com/

12/11/2025

Should open late 2026

Construction is underway on a 77-bed children’s psychiatric hospital in Webster Groves.

Workers finished the skeleton of the once-controversial new facility near Rock Hill Road and Gore Avenue. St. Louis Children’s Hospital and KVC Missouri will operate the hospital, which will serve patients ages 6 to 18. It is set to open in late 2026.

Supporters of the project said it will add capacity to an overtaxed pediatric mental health system.

“Too many young people are struggling, too few resources are available, families in crisis are searching for solutions they can’t find or that don’t exist,” Kim O’Connor-Soule, senior inpatient officer for Camber, the inpatient treatment arm of KVC, said.

11/14/2025

Play the games — and don’t forget the power of Labeled Praise to reinforce the positive behaviors your child is practicing.

During sessions (and honestly, all day as a mom!), I’m a broken record saying things like:
“I love how you followed directions right away!”

Why? Because those little moments help shape your child’s internal narrative.
They start to think: “I’m really good at following directions!”
And that confidence carries over into school, home, and every part of their day.

Thanks to The Daycare Teacher Stories for this great visual and reminder that play is one of the best teachers our kids have. 💛

11/10/2025

🧠 I’m a total nerd when it comes to how kids’ brains grow — especially in those early years when every experience helps wire and strengthen new connections.

This is one of the many reasons I love Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). It gives parents powerful tools to connect, play, and guide their children in ways that actually shape how their brains develop.

Repetition, routines, and play aren’t just fun for preschoolers — they’re how the brain builds and strengthens those neural pathways that last a lifetime.

image via Preschool Powol Packets - Preschool Activities & Ideas

11/06/2025

I believe open conversations can change everything. 💬
Take a few minutes to talk with your teen about 988 — who answers, what to expect, and how it can help in tough moments. You never know when that knowledge might make a difference.

When teens know about 988, they have a safe place to reach out — to trained, caring counselors — instead of feeling like their only option is a teen friend, an online stranger, or no one at all.

You can call, text, chat online, or video call for support anytime: https://missouri988.org/

11/03/2025

🌟 Some good news about youth mental health! 🌟

We often hear about rising concerns for children and teens—but this article highlights something we don’t talk about enough: the positive trends that are happening, too.

Many young people today are more open to talking about their emotions, more willing to seek help, and more connected to supportive adults than ever before. That’s something worth celebrating! 🙌

As parents, caregivers, and community members, we can keep this momentum going by continuing to listen, connect, and create space for honest conversations.

Read the full article here:

There is a lot of positive news about young people's well-being that is not receiving much attention.