Mental health counseling is a professional service that helps people address and manage a wide range of mental health and emotional well-being concerns. It's a collaborative process between a licensed mental health counselor and an individual, couple, family, or group. Here's a breakdown of what it involves:  

What it is:

• Therapeutic relationship: At its core, counseling is built on a trusting and confidential relationship between the counselor and the client. This safe space allows individuals to openly explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  

• Focus on well-being: Counseling aims to improve mental and emotional health, reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, and enhance overall well-being.  

• Personalized approach: Counselors tailor their approach to each individual's unique needs, goals, and circumstances.  

• Empowerment: Counseling empowers individuals to develop coping skills, build resilience, and make positive changes in their lives.  

What it addresses:

Mental health counseling can help with a broad spectrum of issues, including:

• Mood disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder

• Trauma: PTSD, complex trauma, abuse  

• Relationship problems: Marital issues, family conflict, communication difficulties  

• Life transitions: Job loss, grief, divorce, relocation  

• Self-esteem: Low self-worth, lack of confidence  

• Stress management: Coping with daily stressors

• Other mental health conditions: OCD, ADHD, personality disorders

What counselors do:

• Provide support: Counselors offer a non-judgmental and empathetic space for individuals to explore their concerns.  

• Assess needs: They conduct thorough assessments to understand the client's specific challenges and goals.  

• Develop treatment plans: They work collaboratively with clients to create personalized treatment plans.  

• Use evidence-based techniques: Counselors employ various therapeutic approaches, such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapies, depending on the client's needs.

• Teach coping skills: They help clients develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage difficult emotions and situations.  

• Facilitate self-discovery: They guide clients in gaining insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  

• Promote personal growth: They support clients in achieving their goals and living more fulfilling lives.  

Benefits of counseling:

• Improved mental health: Reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.  

• Enhanced coping skills: Greater ability to manage stress and difficult emotions.  

• Stronger relationships: Improved communication and conflict-resolution skills.  

• Increased self-awareness: Deeper understanding of oneself and one's patterns.  

• Greater self-esteem: Increased self-worth and confidence.  

• Better quality of life: Improved overall well-being and life satisfaction.  

Types of counseling:

• Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions between the counselor and the client.  

• Couples therapy: Counseling for romantic partners.  

• Family therapy: Therapy involving multiple family members.  

• Group therapy: Counseling in a group setting.  

• Child and adolescent therapy: Specialized therapy for younger individuals.

Mental health counseling can be beneficial for a wide range of issues, both big and small. It's not just for people experiencing severe mental illness; it can help anyone who is struggling or wants to improve their well-being. Here's a breakdown of common concerns mental health counseling can address:  

Emotional and Mood-Related Issues:

• Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and fatigue.  

• Anxiety: Excessive worry, fear, nervousness, panic attacks, and phobias.  

• Bipolar Disorder: Extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.  

• Anger Management: Difficulty controlling anger and impulsive reactions.

• Grief and Loss: Coping with the death of a loved one, relationship breakup, or other significant loss.  

Trauma-Related Issues:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms following a traumatic event, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.  

• Trauma: Experiences of abuse, neglect, violence, or other traumatic events.  

Relationship Issues:

• Relationship Problems: Difficulties in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or friendships.  

• Communication Problems: Difficulty expressing needs, resolving conflicts, or understanding others.  

• Marital Issues: Challenges in marriage, including infidelity, communication breakdowns, and intimacy issues.  

• Family Conflict: Disputes and tension within families.

Life Transitions and Stress:

• Life Changes: Adjusting to major life transitions, such as job loss, divorce, relocation, or becoming a parent.  

• Stress Management: Coping with daily stressors and developing healthy coping mechanisms.  

• Burnout: Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from work or other responsibilities.  

Self-Esteem and Personal Growth:

• Low Self-Esteem: Negative self-perception, lack of confidence, and feelings of inadequacy.  

• Personal Growth: Desire for self-discovery, exploring values, and achieving personal goals.  

• Identity Issues: Questions about self-identity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.  

Behavioral Issues:

• Sleep Problems: Insomnia or other sleep disturbances.  

Other Mental Health Concerns:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Recurrent obsessions and compulsions.  

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.  

• Personality Disorders: Patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate from cultural expectations.

While both counseling and coaching aim to help people improve their lives, there are some key differences between the two:

Counseling:

• Focus: Addressing mental health concerns, emotional difficulties, and past experiences.  

• Goal: Healing, self-understanding, and developing coping mechanisms for mental and emotional challenges.  

• Approach: Often involves exploring past experiences, identifying underlying issues, and processing emotions.  

• Techniques: May use evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, EMDR, or psychodynamic therapy.

• Qualifications: Counselors are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training and education.  

Coaching:

• Focus: Setting and achieving goals, enhancing performance, and maximizing potential.

• Goal: Improving present circumstances and creating a desired future.

• Approach: Forward-focused, action-oriented, and emphasizes personal growth and development.  

• Techniques: May use goal-setting, action planning, accountability, and motivational strategies.  

• Qualifications: While there are coaching certifications, the field is less regulated than counseling.

It's a great question, and it's important to listen to yourself and recognize when you might need some extra support. Here are some signs that it might be time to seek counseling:

Emotional Signs:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness: Feeling down or experiencing a lack of motivation for an extended period.

• Excessive worry or anxiety: Feeling overwhelmed by worry, fear, or nervousness that interferes with your daily life.

• Significant changes in mood: Experiencing extreme mood swings, irritability, or anger.

• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy: No longer finding pleasure in activities or hobbies that were once fulfilling.

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Feeling mentally foggy, indecisive, or struggling to focus.

• Increased use of substances or unhealthy behaviors: Turning to alcohol, drugs, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage emotions.

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide: Having thoughts about hurting yourself or ending your life.

Behavioral Signs:

• Changes in sleep patterns: Sleeping too much or too little, experiencing insomnia or nightmares.  

• Changes in appetite or eating habits: Significant changes in eating patterns, either eating too much or too little.  

• Social withdrawal or isolation: Avoiding social interactions or isolating yourself from others.  

• Difficulty maintaining relationships: Experiencing conflict or strain in your relationships with family, friends, or romantic partners.  

• Changes in performance at work or school: Decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating, or declining performance.  

• Increased irritability or agitation: Feeling easily frustrated, restless, or on edge.  

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained physical symptoms: Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue that don't have a clear medical cause.  

• Changes in energy levels: Feeling constantly tired or experiencing a lack of energy.

• Weakened immune system: Getting sick more frequently or experiencing difficulty recovering from illness.  

Life Events and Circumstances:

• Traumatic experiences: Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as abuse, violence, or a natural disaster.  

• Major life transitions: Going through significant life changes like a divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one.

• Relationship difficulties: Experiencing conflict or challenges in your relationships.

• Ongoing stress: Facing chronic stress from work, family, or other areas of your life.  

It's important to remember that everyone's experience is unique. You don't need to be experiencing all of these signs to seek help. If you're feeling overwhelmed, struggling to cope, or noticing changes in your well-being, it's a good idea to reach out to a mental health professional.

The frequency of counseling sessions can vary depending on several factors. Here's a breakdown of what might influence the recommended frequency:  

Factors influencing session frequency:

• Severity of concerns: Individuals facing more acute or severe mental health challenges may benefit from more frequent sessions, especially at the beginning of treatment.  

• Treatment goals: The complexity and nature of your goals will play a role. If you're working on multiple or complex issues, more frequent sessions might be recommended.

• Therapeutic approach: Some therapeutic approaches, like CBT or DBT, may involve more structured and frequent sessions initially.

• Individual needs and preferences: Your personal needs, preferences, and availability will also be taken into consideration.  

• Financial constraints: Session frequency may also be influenced by financial considerations and insurance coverage.

• Progress and response to treatment: As you progress in therapy or coaching, the frequency of sessions may decrease.

Typical frequency ranges:

• Counseling:

  • Initial phase: Weekly sessions are common at the beginning of therapy to build rapport, establish treatment goals, and develop coping skills.  

  • Ongoing therapy: As you progress, sessions may shift to bi-weekly or even monthly.

  • Intensive therapy: Some individuals may benefit from more intensive therapy, such as multiple sessions per week, for a shorter period.  

Open communication with your therapist:

It's crucial to have an open and honest conversation with your therapist about the recommended session frequency. They can assess your needs and make recommendations based on your specific circumstances and goals.

Flexibility and adjustments:

The frequency of sessions is not set in stone. It can be adjusted over time as your needs change or as you make progress. Don't hesitate to discuss any concerns or preferences you have with your therapist.

Ultimately, the goal is to find a frequency that supports your progress and helps you achieve your desired outcomes.

BCBS

Medcost/ Contigo

Aetna

Cigna

Self-Pay

All clients must provide a 48 hour notice for canceling appointments. All appointments canceled
within the 48 hour window will be charged $50. This also includes no-show appointments as
well. Each client receives one (1) “free” MAF and this includes not canceling with a 48 hour notice or a no show. You will not be able to be seen by a clinician until all MAF are paid in full

Yes, absolutely! It's essential that you feel comfortable and confident with your provider. If you are not satisfied with your current provider for any reason, you have the right to switch to a different one.

Here's what you can typically do:

1. Communicate with your current provider: If you feel comfortable, consider discussing your concerns with your current provider first. They may be able to make adjustments or address your concerns.

2. Contact the practice: Reach out to the mental health practice and express your desire to switch providers. Explain your reasons for wanting to switch, and they can help you find a more suitable match.

3. Inquire about other providers: Ask about the qualifications, experience, and therapeutic approaches of other providers at the practice.

4. Schedule a consultation: If possible, schedule a brief consultation with a potential new provider to see if they would be a better fit for you.

Remember, it's perfectly okay to prioritize your needs and preferences when it comes to your mental health care. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself and seek a provider who you feel can best support you on your journey.