Larke Tyler, LMSW (she/they)
Therapist in Kansas City, MO
Authentic | Empowering | Attuned
Meet Larke Tyler, LMSW!
I see clients online!
Finding the “right” therapist often feels like searching for a genuine connection in a world of rigid scripts and clinical detachment. If you are a high-achiever who has over-intellectualized your way through life, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community looking for a truly affirming space, or a neurodivergent individual tired of masking, Larke Tyler (she/they) is here to meet you exactly as you are.
Larke builds a relational partnership rooted in radical transparency and empowerment. From their background in intensive crisis advocacy to their personal journey as an AuDHD clinician, Larke brings a unique blend of deep clinical expertise and lived experience to the room. They aren’t afraid to talk about the "big" things, like politics and complex trauma, or the quiet nuances of your daily peace. With Larke, you are in the driver’s seat of your therapeutic journey, supported by a therapist who holds a mirror to your strength with compassion, wit, and unwavering validation.
My Approach
I believe that therapy is most effective when it starts from a place of empowerment. You cannot steer the ship if you don’t feel you have the authority to change our course at any point. As a relational therapist, I use the connection we build in the room to model and practice the healthy dynamics you want to cultivate with the rest of the world. Whether we are navigating the complexities of your past or practicing self-advocacy in the present, I am here to hold space for all the "weird" and wonderful things that make us human.
My office is a place for transparency and authenticity. I don’t believe in checking your reality at the door; if politics, social systems, or your identity as a neurodivergent or queer person are your primary stressors, that is exactly what we should talk about. I work to match your vibe and pace, eventually acting as a mirror to help you see yourself clearly in a space where you are safe, heard, and deeply validated.
I have an overall eclectic approach, but it’s important to me that you feel supported at every step of the process. Starting with a brief explanation of what the major things are:
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Depending on what brings you in, we might start incorporating a variety of coping skills early, with a goal of increasing your window of tolerance. There are hundreds of coping skills to choose from, but knowing a bit of your context and inherent strengths is what makes them “trauma-informed.”
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As you feel ready to open up about different topics, we will weave together common threads, untangle messy knots, and rewrite old beliefs. Intentional meaning-making is a powerful process, and eventually we can zoom out to admire the complex tapestry of your life or community.
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I’m always listening for what influences, supports, or stressors in your environment are (positively or negatively) impacting your mental health, on a big or small scale. This is an important part of understanding, seeing, and appreciating you as a whole person. If relevant, we can also eventually use your power and impact on your environment to make beneficial changes.
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Relational-Cultural Therapy comes out of Feminist Theory and focuses on fostering mutual empathy, relational resilience, and authentic connection. The therapeutic relationship takes time to build, but we can then use it as a foundation for practicing healthy “rupture and repair” across every other area of your life.
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Internal Family Systems ranges from ongoing relationship-building to the first acknowledgment of all of the “Parts” within. All of your parts are welcome in this space: the scared inner child, angry teenager, caregiver, people pleaser, instigator, critic, cynic, etc.
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We will work to build a solid mind-body connection, even if that starts with the quickest internal check-in. This provides valuable information and insight to be gained (and used to inform decisions), but first we might have to relearn that your body is a safe (or neutral) place to be. This treatment is a “bottom-up” approach, which means that we’ll focus on feelings and sensations before thoughts and beliefs.
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Eye Movement (or any bilateral stimulation) and De-sensitization Reprocessing is an incredibly powerful tool for carefully moving your system in and out of “target memory networks,” which are decided collaboratively between us. This treatment is informed by the Adaptive Information Processing model, which tells us that (strategically) opening up old wounds really does help.
Who I Work With
I find that therapy is most effective when you feel safe enough to be truly seen and understood for all the parts of who you are, and allow me to show up in the room and support that authentic, complex You. I am particularly drawn to working with individuals who are navigating life outside of traditional social scripts or those who feel they have to "over-intellectualize" their emotions to get by. My practice is a space where you don't have to explain the basics of your existence; instead, we can focus on the deep, relational work of healing and growth.
LGBTQIA+ Community
As a non-binary person using she/they pronouns and has spent years contributing to safe spaces for queer community members, I provide affirming care that recognizes the unique stressors of our community.
Neurodivergent Individuals
Being neurospicy (AuDHD) myself, I specialize in neurodiversity-affirming therapy. I naturally move away from rigid social "scripts" to create a collaborative workspace that respects and celebrates the way your brain naturally functions.This work is rapidly evolving, but I am happy to dive into a specific book or training if it will potentially benefit you.
Perinatal & Postpartum Support
I am passionate about supporting people through the perinatal period, including pregnancy, postpartum, and the profound grief of miscarriage. I am currently finalizing my certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) to provide the highest level of specialized care.
High-Achievers, Intellectualizers, & Burnt-Out Gifted Kids
I love working with other therapists and professionals who are "high-achieving" and may feel that their intellectual understanding of psychology is a barrier. There are so many ways to help us hold space for sitting in emotions, and then maybe even feeling them. There is no judgement here - just lots of compassion and a bit of gentle pushback (when needed).
Young Adults & Career Discernment: I particularly enjoy working with young adults (ages 20s to early 30s) find a sense of self beyond their past achievements or social roles at school/home. As a Gen Z-Millennial cusper, I can relate to a lot of our unique challenges in the current environment, but I also really appreciate the opportunity in this life stage too.
Geriatric & End-of-LifeCare
I have a deep respect for our Elders and always enjoy building this therapeutic connection. There are often so many environmental changes, evolving relationships, shifting somatic experiences, social narratives about legacy, accumulated grief or trauma to process, and social stigma about normal functions (like romantic/sexual interests) to discuss. I also have an interest in bridging the gap for those in nursing homes or facing terminal diagnoses who often struggle to access quality mental health support.
Survivors of Trauma
My background in domestic violence advocacy and suicide crisis work has given me the tools to sit with survivors of complex trauma with deep compassion and clinical expertise. There can be some discussion about “little t” and “big T” trauma, but at the end of the day, you’re still walking around with the trauma responses that helped you survive that situation. It would be an honor to help lighten that load, now that you’re safe.
Kink, ENM/Poly, & Sex Work
I have the joy of being a member of these communities, which also means I understand some of our opportunities for growth and some of our particular vulnerabilities. I have truly found that relational connections lead to the biggest growth for myself and my clients, and no relationship is too taboo to discuss in the room together. Whether you are looking to finally shake off shame or want to dive into how kink can support your healing journey, let’s talk about it.
Professional Background
My journey into social work was shaped by a mix of intensive academic study and docs-on-the-ground advocacy. I earned my degrees in Biology and Psychology before pursuing a Master of Social Work. Along the way, I spent years working in domestic violence shelters and on crisis lines, including 988. This is where I learned and built my own capacity to sit with people in their most difficult moments without judgment or rush.
I “did my time” in food service and retail before that, experiences that still contribute to how I move through the world now. During my graduate program, I focused on clinical work. Which means that after the foundational social work knowledge about social systems, I specialized in direct client care. Before graduation, I interned as a library social worker, which was mostly crisis de-escalation and support for the local unhoused folks. My nerdy love for tangible data persisted beyond graduation though, so (when it is aligned with a client’s goals) we will complete assessments at regular intervals to track progress. Beyond that, I’m constantly looking into ways to expand my clinical skillset to improve how I show up for clients.
I have a deep interest in supporting high-achieving "intellectualizers" who might feel like they already know everything about psychology but still struggle to feel better. Additionally, I am passionate about working with the perinatal population: supporting those through pregnancy, postpartum, or the grief of miscarriage, and I am currently working toward my Perinatal Mental Health Certification.
My Story
I grew up in northern Louisiana before "escaping" to a high-pressure boarding school for gifted students at fourteen. That experience was my first real lesson in deconstructing identity; when everyone is suddenly the "smart kid," you get to figure out who you actually are. I spent a lot of time processing through art: dance, painting, mixed media, choir, cringey slam poetry, etc. This naturally helped me build connections, and eventually friendships, that became so important as I evolved along my own healing journey.
I’ve always been the person people naturally gravitate toward for support, but after navigating my own experiences with both transformative and "problematic" therapy, I decided to become the clinician I always wanted. As a person committed to showing up authentically as much as possible in my life, I often bypass traditional social scripts in favor of genuine, open engagement. This part of my identity allows me to be a natural “empath” and an attuned listener.
Today, I find my own peace in my "happy little space" filled with books, soft lighting, and my two cats, Andromeda and Calypso. The cats are often with me during telehealth sessions. During in-person sessions, I always have snacks, fidgets, pillows, etc.
Outside of the Therapy Room
When I’m not in the office, movement is my primary form of expression. I have a long history with dance and currently enjoy the mental, emotional, and physical challenge of pole fitness and aerial arts like lyra. I am a dedicated "library regular" who prefers browsing for DVDs over streaming, and I love hosting low-key craft nights with friends. Continued involvement in my community is important to me, so I enjoy performing with my local queer choir group and volunteering for Pride events. I’m an avid romantasy reader and co-lead a monthly neurodivergent-friendly bookclub. I also channel my Pisces energy by prioritizing creative, sensory, and emotional rest through things like baking and crocheting.
Beginning Therapy With Larke
Ready to find a therapy space that values your radical authenticity and unique neurotype? Larke offers a relational, empowerment-focused environment where you are the primary director of your own healing. Whether you are navigating the complexities of the LGBTQIA+ community, seeking neurodiversity-affirming care, or processing perinatal experiences, Larke is here to provide deep validation without the rigid social scripts.
Investment: $125 per session for individuals, couples, and families. Sliding scale as low as $30 available.
Accessibility: All sessions are currently held via telehealth, allowing you to engage from the comfort and privacy of your own safe space.
Fill out the form here to connect with our office if you have any questions or use this link to schedule with Larke directly.