Meet the Purpose Driven Counselor

Meet Shala Taylor

Finding the right therapist is about more than credentials. It is important to know something about the person who will be walking alongside you during your journey. I hope learning a little about me helps you determine whether I am the right fit for you.

I am Shala Taylor, founder of Purpose Driven Counseling and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. My path to becoming a therapist was not a straight line, and I would not change it. Before counseling, I built careers in education, leadership, and business. Looking back, I can see that each experience was preparing me for what I now know is my purpose: helping people heal, grow, and discover who they are so they can live with greater purpose and intention.

I hold master's degrees in Counseling, Teaching, and Business Management. I began working in behavioral health in 2012 as an adolescent substance abuse counselor and later managed a school based therapy program serving children and families. Throughout my career, I have developed and facilitated trainings for mental health professionals and educators, provide clinical supervision for counselors seeking licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors in Missouri, and serve in executive leadership for a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to mental health services for children and families.

Beyond direct clinical work, I have contributed to community initiatives that strengthen children's mental health services, served as a grant evaluator, and collaborated with organizations committed to improving access to quality behavioral health care. These experiences have given me a broader perspective on the challenges individuals, families, and communities face, and they continue to shape the way I approach therapy today.

My clinical training includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), and substance use treatment. While education and specialized training are important, I believe the therapeutic relationship is what creates meaningful and lasting change. I also believe lasting change happens when people begin to understand the "why" behind their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Once we understand the patterns that have shaped us, we are better equipped to make intentional choices that support healing and growth.

My approach to counseling is collaborative, holistic, and honest. Rather than telling you what to do, I help you better understand yourself, challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking, and develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, or major life transitions, I believe meaningful healing begins with self awareness and intentional growth. My role is not to tell you who to become. It is to help you discover the strength, resilience, and wisdom that already exist within you.

Outside of my professional life, I am a Christian, a wife, a mother of two, and a bonus mom to one amazing daughter. I am also blessed with lifelong friendships and a family that continually encourages me to grow personally and professionally. Those relationships have shaped who I am and remind me every day of the importance of grace, connection, and having people who believe in you.

Because my faith is central to who I am, people sometimes wonder whether they need to share my beliefs to work with me. The answer is absolutely not. I welcome clients from all faith backgrounds and those with no faith at all. My role is never to impose my beliefs but to provide a safe, respectful space where you can explore your own experiences, values, and goals. If faith is important to you, we can incorporate it into our work together. If it is not, our sessions will always be guided by your needs and what best supports your healing.

Therapy is a partnership. I will encourage you, challenge you, and support you, but the real transformation happens through the work you are willing to do. My hope is that our time together helps you discover the strength, resilience, and purpose that already exist within you.