Dr. Cindy Baker
MS, LPC, NCC
About:
Dr. Baker is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) practicing in the state of Missouri. As a business owner, consultant, executive/empowerment/life coach, motivational speaker, and published researcher, she remains focused on ways to encourage others to grow and thrive in today’s climate of uncertainty. Dr. Baker was recognized as a Missourian of the Year in 2018; Springfield Business Journal’s Health Care Champion – “Therapist” of the year for Southwest Missouri in 2016; and received the “Alumnae of the Year for Excellence in Public Affairs” by Missouri State University in 2014. She received a gubernatorial appointment from Governor Mike Parson in 2019 to serve on the Committee for Professional Counselors. Dr. Baker owns Touchstone Counseling LLC, Touchstone Helping Families, and Baker Consulting Services LLC.
Education:
Dr. Baker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences with an Associate of Arts degree in early childhood development from Washburn University. She received a Master of Science degree in guidance and counseling from Southwest Missouri State University in 1998. She further earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy analysis with emphasis on the success and well-being of at-risk children and families from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Current Specialties/Interests:
Her consulting practice is focused on executive coaching, life coaching, wellness coaching, individual empowerment and mental wellness. Dr. Baker’s forty plus years of child development experience has fueled her desire to provide curriculum to the courts and others who are focused on the best interests of children. She is the author of Child C.A.R.E.© (Children At Risk Emotionally) a curriculum designed to meet the state of Missouri’s requirements for divorcing parents with minor children. She developed a court-ordered High Conflict Co-parenting model currently used by area courts for ‘uncooperative’ parents with minor children. She is the author of the “Social Skills Intervention Program,” a curriculum for behaviorally challenged youth. Dr. Baker is the author of a “Work-Life Balance” employee assistance program (EAP) custom tailored and modified to meet the needs of area businesses. Her research has been presented at several national and international conferences. She is published in the Journal of School-Public Relations. In addition to her role as a civil/family mediator, Dr. Baker is recognized as an expert witness in federal, criminal, family, and juvenile courts in the state of Missouri.
Dr. Baker is currently focused on working with high conflict cases that are court-ordered and/or cases whereby parties are hopeful to avoid the costs of court. She has a passion for those who are victims of sexual abuse/assault; domestic violence; bullying; abandonment; and low self-esteem or self-worth.
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