Concordia Counseling: A Mental Health Ministry
This ministry launched in January 2026 to serve Concordia and our community. We would like to thank members of Concordia Lutheran Church Kirkwood and the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis for supporting this ministry. You can support our ministry too! Click here to make a donation to Concordia Counseling: A Mental Health Ministry from Concordia Lutheran Church.
If you are in a crisis, please call 988 or 911 for immediate assistance.
Bringing Baby Home Workshop
Welcoming a baby is one of life's greatest blessings — and one of the biggest transitions for a couple. This summer, Kassaundra Schario and Deaconess Kris Paul, who are trained by The Gottman Institute, will lead a 12-week workshop called Bringing Baby Home, which focuses on the the transition from a couple to a family. Whether you are expecting, have a newborn or a toddler running around, or plan to have kids soon, this workshop is for you!
What: A support group for anyone who is experiencing grief
When: August 20-November 19, 2026
Thursdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Where: Concordia Lutheran Church’s Atrium Room
Cost: Free to attend
Contact: Reach out to Louise Tiemann with any questions
About GriefShare
A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand and process the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, participants will discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, participants will learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way. Learn more about GriefShare here.
What to Expect
GriefShare at Concordia is comprised of a small informal and friendly group. During the session, the group usually watches a video and then discusses it. Each group member also has a workbook, which they usually complete during the week and bring to the next session for discussion.
Support Group
Please note that this support group is not part of Concordia’s professional counseling services, but it is excellent opportunity to connect with others experiencing and processing grief.
Our Services
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Middle school is a time of significant growth—academically, socially, and emotionally. Students are learning who they are while managing increasing expectations and relationships.
Our group counseling program supports students in grades 5–8 by creating a safe, peer-based environment to build social and emotional skills. Guided by trained facilitators, students gain tools that strengthen emotional awareness, peer relationships, and mental well-being.
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Relationships can be deeply meaningful—and at times, deeply challenging. Couples often find themselves navigating communication breakdowns, life transitions, conflict, and unmet expectations, even when there is a strong desire to stay connected.
Couples counseling is provided by Kassaundra Schario, a Level 1 trained Gottman-trained mental health professional. Counseling sessions offer a supportive space for partners to slow down, be heard, and better understand one another. Using evidence-based approaches grounded in the Gottman Method, couples work together to strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and develop practical skills for managing conflict in healthy, constructive ways. Counseling supports couples at any stage of their relationship as they work toward greater understanding, resilience, and relational well-being.
Couples counseling is for partners who:
Want to improve communication and feel more understood
Feel stuck in recurring conflict or patterns
Are navigating life transitions, stress, or change
Desire to strengthen their emotional connection
Are seeking tools to build a healthier, more resilient relationship
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Sometimes life feels heavier than it should. Stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, or big transitions can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn. Individual counseling offers a place to slow down and talk things through with someone who’s there to listen and support you.
Individual counseling is a one-on-one experience with Kassaundra Schario in a confidential, compassionate setting. Sessions use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you notice patterns in your thoughts and reactions, develop practical coping tools, and build skills that support emotional balance and resilience. Counseling is personalized to meet you where you are and support you as you move toward greater clarity, confidence, and well-being.
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This summer, Concordia will offer Bringing Baby Home, a 12-week workshop focused on transitioning from a couple to a family. Learn more and register here.
How to Get Started
First of all, congratulations on taking the first step. Seeking counseling can be a challenge for some and we are so happy you are here!
Complete this brief inquiry form.
We’ll be in touch to schedule an introductory call to discuss your needs.
If we believe we can offer you mental health care, we’ll schedule an intake session with you.
Concordia Counseling: A Mental Health Ministry
Our mental health ministry is led by Kassaundra Schario, our Director of Mental Health Ministry, who has served on Concordia staff since 2022. She assumed her current role in January 2026 after previously serving as Director of Communications.
Kassaundra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health, both from Lindenwood University. She is Level 1 Gottman Trained and a Certified Workshop Leader for The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work through The Gottman Institute. In 2024, she had the honor of being a presenter for the 2024 ASERVIC Conference (Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling) a division of the American Counseling Association.
Kassaundra is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor, Missouri License No. 2026006548, and is under the supervision of Martha (Marty) Lintvedt, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, Missouri License No. 002359.