Why Do People Seek Counseling?

“Darkness cannot stand in the light”

There are many common reasons people seek counseling with a Biblical Counselor. This is not an exhausted list and if you don’t relate to or find any of these issues familiar, please remember there doesn’t have to be a direct specific reason to seek out professional help.

You may be simply looking for perspective, a good listener, and/or a nonjudgmental, approachable atmosphere to share your pain and gain insight into “your story.” Everyone has a story. Also, facing your pain is the first step in dispelling your pain

Anxiety Counseling / Panic Therapy

Anxiety is an overwhelming monster that can keep you from living life to the fullest because it robs you of your peace of mind. Anxiety disorders can be debilitating in children, adolescents, and adults alike, but they are also highly treatable.

If you experience chronic worry or other symptoms like sleep difficulties, fatigue, restlessness, or panic, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Treating this disorder can help you worry less and experience a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Counseling for Depression

Everyone feels sad or blue from time to time.  Usually experiences of sadness are triggered by a loss or disappointment, things go wrong, people let us down, we fail to get something we wanted, we lose something we valued.  Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s setbacks and disappointments, and usually passes after a few hours or days or perhaps a good nights’ sleep. While we might be able to make ourselves feel better by talking to someone or distracting ourselves with a pleasant activity, sometimes we may simply allow ourselves to experience our sadness, knowing that it is a normal response and that with time it will pass.

Occasional episodes of sadness are not usually a problem; however, if it lasts for more than a few days, doesn’t go away, and is at the degree of considerable psychological discord (you just don’t feel “like yourself”), it is a good idea to seek professional help to gain control over the depression. Depression is the debilitating condition that interferes with our ability to experience pleasure, interact with people or actively participate in life.

I want to help you feel less alone, gain perspective about life’s stressors and disappointments, take control of your life, establish a healthy feeling of hope and faith,  and “be yourself” again.

Body Image Counseling and Therapy

In our culture we are bombarded by what the media defines as the “ideal body.” However, the average person does not look like the actors on the screen or like the models in the fashion magazines. This reality can lead individuals to struggle with body image. In turn, struggles with body image can lead to poor self-esteem and, in many cases, eating disorders. If you are struggling with how you look, please let me help. With the assistance of Aspire Counseling Services, you will learn to overcome poor self-image and learn to like your body again.

 Abuse Counseling / Trauma Therapy

Are you a victim or a survivor? There is a vast difference. There are many horrible things in this world that make us victims. Once you have been hurt, how do you find the courage and strength to move from being a victim to being a survivor? When abuse or trauma happens, it is normal to question God, life, love, family, fairness and the world. However, this questioning can cause even more shame and guilt. It is possible to feel clean again. It is possible to be whole again. It is possible to feel strong again. The answer lies in moving from being a victim to being a survivor.

A survivor is a person who has gone through tragedy and has found the power to heal and become themselves again, but stronger. To become a survivor the victim needs to move through a healing process that involves feeling the emotions and grieving loss. During that courageous process, the victim starts to take back control of their life in a healthy, positive way. Aspire Counseling Services seeks to understand your pain. I want to walk with you as you heal and celebrate finding strength and knowledge to become a survivor.

Co-Dependence Counseling and Therapy

Would your entire family fall apart if you weren’t there? At the same time, are you sick and tired of being the one who does everything without being appreciated? You might be struggling with co-dependence, or the “nice” issue. People who struggle with co-dependence are so worried about what everyone else is thinking that they lose themselves in serving. Who am I and what do I stand for? What are my feelings and needs? How do I meet my needs?

If you are co-dependent or think you may have some tendencies, there is help. Your family and/or relationship will become a team, not a burden. You will become less resentful and be able to be yourself.

Eating Disorders Counseling

Once thought to be solely a white, female, upper-middle class, adolescent illness, eating disorders are now prevalent among both genders and across all ages, classes, and cultures. Whether you are struggling with restricting your food intake or are binge eating and purging, eating disorders are both physically and emotionally devastating. Together with your primary care physician and/or registered dietician, I will work with you to uncover distorted beliefs about your body, identify unhealthy triggers, and develop a treatment plan to resume normal eating habits and food intake.

 Family Counseling and Therapy for Children

Is my child normal? This is what all parents want to know. However, the deeper question is: how do I know if my child needs counseling? There are many reasons why a child would need assistance; maladaptive (unacceptable) behavior, phobias, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and life stressors. Life stressors include: divorce, death of a family member or friend, moving, being bullied, or observing a traumatic event. If you are not sure whether or not your child needs counseling, isn’t it worth it to have an impartial expert assist you in making that decision?

How do you counsel a small child? I have experience in counseling children as young as three. In addition to behavioral therapy, I use play and art therapy. Although it may look like normal play, each action—drawing, collage, books, and games—serves many different purposes in diagnosis and treatment of children. The great thing about children is that they are resilient. Children receiving counseling now will be less likely to need therapy as an adult to heal from childhood wounds.

 Counseling for Adolescents and Teenagers

Got teenagers? It is amazing how they can be responsible in one moment and then seem brainless in the next. Why? The human brain does not finish developing until age 22. In addition, there are many pressures for a teenager today. We are seeing more anxiety, depression, self-injury, anger, acting out, and addictive behavior than ever before. Often,   teens don’t want to listen to you, or you don’t feel that you know how to help. This is I can be of assistance.

The most common #1 need of most teenagers is the need to be understood. I understand teenagers. I can act as a neutral third party to help facilitate communication and healing within your family. I can also help your teenager with his or her problems. You don’t have to just endure the teenage years. You have an opportunity to create an atmosphere to establish a great relationship with your kids!

Family Therapy for Parents / Parenting Counseling

Parenting is the most challenging job in the world. Regardless of the age of your child, each developmental stage brings its own difficulties. Through collaboration, education, and cooperation, we will work as a team to create a positive parenting plan to best suit your needs.

I am not here to “fix” you as a parent. However, there are some proven skills, tools, and communication styles I can help you with to improve your relationship with your children. I act as a coach, assessing your strengths and weaknesses and then guiding and helping you with the areas that need improvement. Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective from someone who has your best in mind.

Grief Counseling and Therapy

What do you do when you lose someone you love? Whether a death is sudden or anticipated, losing someone is never easy. Often the hardest part comes after the funeral when everyone else returns to their normal lives and you experience isolation and loneliness as you continue to grieve. With compassion and understanding, I will walk with you through the painful stages of grief.

Life Transitions Counseling and Therapy for Women

As women we often transition several times throughout our lives. Whether becoming a student, a spouse, a mother, a step-parent, or an empty-nester, a change occurs and it can be both exciting and overwhelming. With each life-change, roles and responsibilities are either added or deleted and this can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, or loss.

If you are transitioning in a career, a relationship, a home, or an environment, consider allowing our team of professional counselors and therapists to assist you. Together, we will create ways to reduce stress and maximize opportunities to make the life transition not only smooth but rewarding.

Life Transitions Counseling

If you are transitioning in a career, a relationship, a home, or an environment, consider allowing our team of professional counselors and therapists to assist you. Together, we will create ways to reduce stress and maximize opportunities to make the life transition not only smooth but rewarding

 Counseling and Therapy for Post-Partum Depression

Although most new mothers experience the “baby blues,” some new moms struggle with more intense feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, and anger known as post- partum depression. Although no fault of one’s own, many women are embarrassed or ashamed of their symptoms and too often struggle alone. Post- partum depression typically manifests during the first 6 months post- delivery and can be caused by numerous physical and emotional triggers. So, if you are a new mom and are exhausted, overwhelmed, and/or are no longer feeling like your pre-baby self, please come in to talk with me. Together, we can properly address and relieve post- partum depression.

Self- Injury Counseling and Therapy

Self-Injury is widely misunderstood and can have a variety of underlying causes and triggers. I understand that these causes and triggers are real and painful. By helping to identify them, we can offer alternative coping methods that are not addictive or destructive. If you or your adolescent is struggling with any form of self-injury, please seek help.

Common Questions About Counseling

How much does it cost? We use a sliding donation scale!

What are your hours? I have daytime, evening and weekend times available. I can accommodate most reasonable schedules.

How long will it take? That depends on you—what you want to work on and what level of improvement you are looking for. Typically, in client-centered counseling, clients see a counselor for anywhere between 3 to 6 months.

Can you help me with my unique problem? We believe all problems are solvable. However, there is nothing new under the sun, and even if I haven’t seen your unique problem before, I can learn alongside of you as we journey together to find an answer that works for you. The bible tells us, “We have everything we need for life and Godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Does counseling really work? Yes. If you really want to change, you can. It is not easy; it is not quick. However, everyone can change. Everyone can find new meaning and perspective in life. You will get out of counseling what you put into it.

 MY SERVICES  

Do you feel like things in your life could be better? Do you feel hopeless about what life looks like for you? Do you ever wish you could get the perspective of a nonjudgmental, completely unbiased outsider? Are there things you’d like to talk about with a good listener, but just can’t do it with a friend or family member?

Is there yelling and screaming in your home? Are you disconnected from your spouse? Is your teen acting out? Are you paralyzed with anxiety or fear? Are you stuck in a rut because you are down and depressed? Are the stresses of life weighing you down?

Ask yourself, “Why suffer one more day?”

There is hope. There can be peace, understanding and love in your life and home.

I hear the following words all the time:

“I wish I would have gotten counseling years ago.”

“Just knowing someone was there listening and not judging gave me hope to go on.”

“The perspective I gained through counseling is priceless.”

“I can’t believe I lived with this pain for so many years.”

“As soon as I started counseling, the fog was cleared and I knew I would begin to succeed in so many other parts of my life that I didn’t know possible.”

Don’t wait to get help. You are worth it. Take some time out to help yourself. Is this selfish? No. The healthier you are, the more capable you will be at home, work, and within the community.