Jacob Perkins, LCSW

Therapist in Ballwin, MO

Meet Jacob

Hello and welcome. I’m Jacob, a dedicated therapist committed to helping individuals navigate the emotional, relational, and psychological challenges life can bring. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling with unhealthy patterns, healing from trauma, or facing difficulties in relationships, I provide a supportive and collaborative space where growth and healing can begin.

Therapy with me is a partnership. Together, we will explore what’s working in your life, what may be holding you back, and what changes can help you move forward. My goal is not only to help reduce symptoms in the moment, but to create deeper, lasting change that strengthens your relationships, confidence, and overall well-being.

What I Offer

I provide individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults seeking greater self-understanding, emotional balance, and healthier coping strategies. My work is grounded in a trauma-informed, strength-based, and client-centered approach, allowing therapy to be tailored to each person’s unique experiences and goals.

I support clients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:

Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Depression and mood disorders
Trauma, PTSD, and sexual abuse recovery
Domestic abuse and domestic violence
Behavioral issues and emotional regulation difficulties
Relationship issues, infidelity, and codependency
Parenting challenges and family stress
Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD-related concerns, and intellectual disability
OCD and intrusive thoughts
Eating disorders and body-related struggles
Internet addiction and compulsive behaviors
Sports performance pressure and burnout
Identity exploration, self-esteem, and LGBTQ+ support
Open relationships and non-monogamy
Suicidal ideation and emotional crisis

My work also includes supporting first responders, veterans, and individuals in high-stress professions, as well as those navigating complex emotional or developmental challenges.

Why Choose Jacob

Experienced and Versatile
I bring experience working with a wide range of individuals—from children navigating behavioral or school challenges to adults recovering from trauma, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions.

A Whole-Person Perspective
My work focuses on understanding the full picture of your life, including emotional patterns, relationships, environment, and personal strengths.

Collaborative and Empowering
Therapy is not something done to you—it’s something we build together. I encourage active participation so that the insights and skills developed in therapy carry into everyday life.

Inclusive and Affirming
I provide sex-positive, kink-allied, and LGBTQ+ affirming care in a judgment-free environment where clients feel safe exploring identity, relationships, and personal values.

Client Focus

I work with children, teens, young adults, and adults, including individuals and families navigating:

Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders
Trauma, PTSD, and emotional disturbance
Personality disorders, including BPD
Relationship issues, codependency, and infidelity
Domestic abuse and recovery from violence
Parenting challenges and family conflict
Autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, and intellectual disability
OCD, ODD, and behavioral regulation concerns
Stress, burnout, and performance pressure
Self-esteem struggles and identity exploration
Suicidal ideation and crisis support
LGBTQ+ individuals and those in open or non-monogamous relationships
First responders and veterans coping with trauma or occupational stress

Therapeutic Modalities I Use

My approach is eclectic and integrative, drawing from a wide range of evidence-based therapies to meet each client’s individual needs.

Approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Schema Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Family Systems Therapy
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Play Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Relational Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy

I also incorporate humanistic, existential, multicultural, and person-centered approaches to ensure therapy remains flexible, inclusive, and deeply responsive to each client’s experience.

What Clients Say

“Jacob has a unique ability to help you feel seen, even when you can’t fully express what you’re going through. He listens with compassion and offers tools that truly work.”

“His calm presence helped me face parts of my past I had been avoiding for years. I now feel more in control of my life than I ever have.”

Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

If you’re ready to explore your inner world, shift unhelpful patterns, and build healthier relationships with yourself and others, therapy can help you take that next step.

You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward clarity, resilience, and meaningful change.

Education:

Washington University in St. Louis, Master of Social Work
University of Missouri in St. Louis, Bachelor of Psychology

Internship:

Epworth Children & Family Services
University City High School

Work Experience:

For the last fifteen years I have served with direct care, case management, outpatient therapy, and crisis care settings in our shared Missouri community with SSM Behavioral Health, Community Treatment, Inc, Good Shepherd Children and Family Services, Marygrove Children’s Home, St. Louis County Government, and St. Louis County Family Court.

Research:

I have previously served in practice, grant writing, and research coordination roles in several psychology and social work research labs. Key publications include:

Patterson, D. A., & Perkins, J. D., Butler-Barnes, S. T., & Walker, T. (2017). Social belonging and college retention: Results from a quasi-experimental pilot study. Journal of College Student Development, 58(5), 777-782.
Patterson, D. A., & Perkins, J. D., Van Zile-Tamsen, C., Butler-Barnes, S. (2016). Impact of Violence and Relationship Abuse on Grades of American Indian/Alaska Native Undergraduate College Students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Published online: http://jiv.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/03/17/0886260516639255.abstract
Dannerbeck-Janku, A., Peters, C., & Perkins, J. (2014). A comparison of female delinquents: The impact of child maltreatment histories on risk and need characteristics among a Missouri sample. Laws, 3(4), 780-797.
Patterson, D. A., Dulmus, C. N., Maguin, E., & Perkins, J. (2014). Differential outcomes in agency-based mental health care between minority and majority youth. Research on Social Work Practice, 26(3), 260-265.
Jonson-Reid, M., Kohl, P., Gormley, W., Marcal, K., & Perkins, J. (2014). Early childhood education: Investing in Missouri’s children. St. Louis, MO: Center for Violence and Injury Prevention, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved from https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/hdfs/fii/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/s_mofis02report.pdf
Fluke, J., Wulczyn, F., Jonson-Reid, M., Kohl, P., & Perkins, J. (2013). Missouri policy opportunities: New evidence and innovations in child welfare systems. St. Louis, MO: Center for Violence and Injury Prevention, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved from: https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/hdfs/fii/wpcontent/uploads/2015/07/s_mofis01report.pdf
Taylor, M. J., Austin, C. C., Perkins, J. D., & Edwards, J. L. (2012). Sociohistorical privilege in higher education: Implications for African American student psychological adjustment, resiliency, and success at predominately White institutions. In Sheri R. Notaro (Ed.), Health disparities among under-served populations: Implications for research, policy and praxis (pp. 241-261). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.