Dr. Munnerlyn completed his Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Webster University in Saint Louis, MO with a minor in religious studies from classes taken at the Eden Seminary. He earned his Master's of Arts Counseling Psychology and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Adler University in Chicago, IL. He completed an APA (American Psychological Association) accredited internship at La Frontera in Tucson, AZ and ended his training with a post-doc fellowship at the Hazelden Betty Ford Treatment Center outside Portland, OR.
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Clinical Experience: I began my work in Chicago, IL. During my first year of clinical studies, I worked with incarcerated adolescent males at the John Howard Association of Illinois and learned how crucial it is for us to provide our children with safe, stable, healthy, and compassionate adult authority figures. My second year, I worked in a community behavioral health center that served the LGBTQ community. I leaned in to some deep and necessary conversations, which helped deepen my own identity and expand my knowledge of gender constructs. In my third year, I worked at an outpatient medical facility, conducting family therapy with a variety of different family types. I learned how to help support these families through creating effective communication and healthy relationship skills. Then, I moved to Tucson, AZ where I worked in a residential treatment center helping those affected by substance use, anxiety, depression, and trauma. After completing my doctorate in Clinical Psychology I moved to Portland, OR where I continued working within residential addiction treatment. I now work in private practice specializing in treating men's issues, concerns related to the LGBTQ community, relationship problems, symptoms of trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and post-treatment and continuing care for people with substance use and addictions.
Dr. Munnerlyn provides psychology services in over 40 states via telehealth and sees clients in person at his office in Saint Louis, MO. He's been a member of the American Psychological Association since 2009 and currently serves on the board of the Animal Protective Association of Missouri, where he has presented to staff on the science of self-care.
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Dissertation: "A qualitative exploration of the experiences of the LGB clients who successfully completed a 16-week psychoeducational residential substance abuse program."
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My Approach
Growing up in the South and Midwestern parts of the United States, I quickly learned how men were "supposed to" behave, talk, and communicate. I have not often found these ways to be helpful in my relationships with others. Quite the opposite, in fact. I have since learned more effective tools to identify, express and communicate my emotions to others in healthy, effective, and productive ways.
I fell in love with psychology, the study of the human mind and human behaviors. I found myself reading and researching what contributes to addictive behaviors, what strengthens relationships with others, and what keeps us disconnected from each other and ourselves.
Over our lifetime, most of us have created constructs (narratives or stories we tell ourselves) about how the world works. We tend to move through life as though these constructs are true in all circumstances. Sometimes these constructs can be helpful but often they become overly rigid or too loose. I work in solution-focused ways, always validating your emotional, physical, and mental experiences while keeping you focused in the reality of the situation. Together we test out your narratives about your world and either build on these ideas or deconstruct them and rebuild new ways of thinking and approaching the problems and relationships in your life.
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We are social creatures and yes we must be in relationship with each other. This is the human condition. Knowing how to navigate relationships is one of the skills I will help you develop. All of us want to feel we belong. Shame and criticism keeps us disconnected. I do not use language that keeps you stuck or in pain. I challenge those unhelpful and unhealthy narratives keeping you stuck and work to find evidence for alternative ways to think about your roles and life experiences. These new narratives help lead you to greater happiness and a better sense of self.
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Growing up in the Midwest, I was quickly introduced to the ways men “should” behave, talk, and communicate. Over time, I discovered these expectations often hindered rather than helped my connections with others. Through personal growth and professional training, I found tools that allow for healthy, effective emotional expression and communication—tools I now help others develop in their lives.
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I’ve always been captivated by psychology: the study of the mind, our behaviors, and the factors that shape us. This passion led me to explore why we create addictive patterns, what strengthens our bonds with others, and what keeps us feeling disconnected from ourselves and the world around us.
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Throughout our lives, we all build personal narratives about how the world works. These constructs can guide us, but they sometimes become overly rigid or too loose, limiting our potential. My approach is solution-focused, validating each aspect of your experience while helping you stay grounded in reality. Together, we’ll examine and test these personal narratives, reshaping or expanding them to better serve your needs in relationships, personal growth, and self-understanding.
As social beings, we naturally seek connection. We all want to feel a sense of belonging, but shame and criticism often keep us isolated. My goal is to help you move beyond language and narratives that keep you feeling stuck, guiding you to discover alternative ways of thinking and experiencing life. Through this work, I aim to support you in finding greater happiness, stronger connections, and a more fulfilled sense of self.