TYPES OF COUNSELING/COUNSELORS
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INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Individual counseling consists of face-to-face sessions between a qualified mental health professional and the client. The therapist will take time during each session to gather information from the client pertaining to the issues which have brought them to seek counseling. They will ask questions which will help them to better understand the thought processes, behaviors, and feelings the client has, how those relate to the relationships they are involved in and if patterns of behavior emerge which may be detrimental to their mental health. The counselor and the client will formulate goals at the initial appointment and they will then work together toward meeting those goals. The setting of these goals can help the individual to find ways of coping with or managing the problems they encounter in their daily lives. Individuals will typically see their counselor on a weekly basis, gradually decreasing the frequency as the counselor and client mutually feel that goals are being met and sessions are no longer needed.
COUPLES COUNSELING
Relationships of any form can provide us with a level of human interaction that can be a wonderful experience. When we enter into intimate relationships with another person, we open ourselves up and expose our innermost selves to others. The relationship between couples requires a delicate balance of healthy communication, mutual respect, deep personal connection, physical intimacy, and shared goals. At times though, difficulties arise and we need help in dealing with issues that are causing strife in our relationship.
Counseling can benefit couples by teaching them appropriate ways to resolve conflict and communicate better, helping them understand and implement suitable problem solving strategies, and leading them in effective negotiation skills so that they can overcome their differences. Couples may even need to learn how to argue in ways that are not only healthy but that can lead to satisfactory resolutions. Our counselors are experienced in dealing with couples who have faced issues related to infidelity, poor communication, sexual dysfunction or lack of desire, chronic illnesses, monetary stressors, explosive behaviors and pornographic addictions. They understand the hard work that is needed to be successful in relationships and have successfully helped couples to move from conflict to harmony under even the most stressful of situations. The length of time a couple may need counseling will be determined by the issues that are present and the commitment each party makes toward achieving common objectives.
FAMILY COUNSELING
Family counseling brings together individuals who are experiencing tension within the support system that we define as a family. A family can be defined as a group of individuals who share a strong bond with one another, whether they are related by blood or marriage, that require them to maintain enduring relationships with one another as they each perform defined roles. Those roles may come with expectations that include emotional and financial support, being a provider, nurturing others, providing encouragement, and even physical care of one another. Sometimes the emotional nature of individuals living in close proximity to or the frequent interactions with one another can create tensions between those individuals, arguments ensue, and the relationship becomes strained. This type of discord can lead to a division among family members with people taking sides, saying or doing hurtful things, and disrupting the lives of everyone. Family counseling can help to repair lines of communication, assist those involved in recognizing hurtful behaviors and promoting better relationships. Many times families come for counseling because of specific life events such as the death of a family member, divorce and its effects on the family unit, or the struggles faced when a family member suffers from an addiction. Some of the goals of family counseling in these instances may be helping the family recognize and understand the stages of grief associated with the specific event, the establishment of reasonable and necessary boundaries as appropriate, or developing of plans of action that will help the family as they navigate through what may be unfamiliar territory. Our counselors will work hard to make sure that you are given the right tools to help your family resolve their issues when possible and promote better relationships.
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CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
Sometimes kids, like adults, can benefit from therapy. Therapy can help both children and adolescents develop problem-solving skills and teach them the value of seeking help. Therapists can help kids and families cope with stress and a variety of emotional and behavioral issues.
Some child counselors specialize in certain areas, like childhood depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or abuse. Others, however, treat a wide range of mental and emotional problems in children. They may help treat a number of mental and emotional disorders and illnesses, for instance.
Many children need assistance in dealing with school stress, such as homework, test anxiety, bullying, or peer pressure. Others need help to discuss their feelings about family issues, particularly if there's a major transition, such as a divorce, move, or serious illness.
Significant life events can cause stress that might lead to problems with behavior, mood, sleep, appetite, and academic or social functioning. Examples of these life events are the death of a family member, friend, or pet, a divorce or a move, any form of abuse or trauma, a parent leaving on military deployment, or a major illness in the family
In some cases, it's not as clear what's caused a child to suddenly become withdrawn, worried, stressed, angry, or tearful. But if you feel your child might have an emotional or behavioral problem, or needs help coping with a difficult life event, trust your instincts.
If you are noticing any of the following, it could be an indication that your child may benefit from seeing a psychologist or licensed therapist include:
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Developmental delays in speech, language, or toilet training
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Learning or attention problems (such as ADHD)
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Behavioral problems (such as excessive anger, acting out, bedwetting or eating disorders)
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A significant drop in grades, particularly if your child normally maintains high grades
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Episodes of sadness, tearfulness, or depression
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Social withdrawal or isolation
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Being the victim of bullying or bullying other children
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Decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
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Overly aggressive behavior (such as biting, kicking, or hitting)
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Sudden changes in appetite (particularly in adolescents)
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Insomnia or increased sleepiness
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Excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
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Mood swings (e.g., happy one minute, upset the next)
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Development of or an increase in physical complaints (such as headache, stomachache, or not feeling well) despite a normal physical exam by your doctor
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Management of a serious, acute, or chronic illness
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Signs of alcohol, drug, or other substance use (such as solvents or prescription drug abuse)
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Signs of self-harm such as cutting or deliberate burns
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Problems in transitions (following separation, divorce, or relocation)
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Bereavement issues
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Custody evaluations
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Therapy following sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or other traumatic events
We have counselors who specialize in the treatment of children and adolescents and will make sure that we do our very best to help your child.
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PLAY THERAPY
Play therapy is a form of counseling that uses play to communicate with and help children to prevent or resolve psychosocial challenges. This is thought to help them towards better social integration, growth and development, emotional modulation, and trauma resolution. It can be used as a tool for diagnosis and allows the therapist to observe a child playing with toys to determine the cause of the disturbed behavior. The objects and patterns of play, as well as the willingness to interact with the therapist can be used to understand the underlying behavior. Play therapy is used to provide a way for children to be able to express their feelings and demonstrate experiences to their counselor that they may be unable to do in other ways. Play therapy is usually used with children ages 3 – 11.
GROUP COUNSELING
In the group therapy setting, several people (typically 5-12) meet together with a counselor or psychologist to discuss with one another shared or similar problems. Group sessions can vary in length, but they normally last for 45 – 90 minutes on a weekly basis.
Groups are usually used for specific problems or behaviors and may be helpful for divorce recovery, substance abuse, pain management, anger management, and parenting issues, just to name a few.
Groups develop a level of trust with one another and with their counselor which enables them to share openly and freely their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. Group members expect one another to honor the confidentiality of the group and if a member breaks that confidentiality they will be removed from the group. Members are able to discuss their issues and get feedback from the others within the group. This allows each individual to gain perspective about their thoughts, attitudes and behaviors and be accountable to the other members. Members will interact with one another during the session and sometimes will role play in order to help one another.
One of the advantages to group therapy is being able to realize that you are not the only one struggling with the problem that brought you to group. Many people feel a great sense of relief when they hear others as they discuss what they're going through and begin to understand that they are not alone. People from many different backgrounds, beliefs, and locations come together as strangers, but in a short amount of time, they find the other participants to be individuals whom they trust and receive support from.
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SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING
We provide support for any addictive behavior that alters enjoyment from daily life, varying from alcohol, drug, pornography, internet, eating, and other addictions. We take steps to help you understand the habit structure of an addictive behavior so that we may modify the habit triggers and raise awareness for when the habit occurs. We will work together to create goals, coping mechanisms, and treatment plans to help you modify any unwanted behavioral habits and put your life back on track.
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TYPES OF COUNSELORS
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Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D or Psy.D)
A Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is a mental health provider licensed by the Psychology Board in the State of Ohio. A Licensed Psychologist typically has a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field, and training which includes over 100 credit hours of graduate or post-doctoral supervised training. While on a pre-doctoral and post-doctoral internship, the student provides mental health services under the supervision of a Licensed Psychologist.
Once the degree is completed (post-doctoral stage), the potential psychologist must find mental health agencies and supervisor(s) who will support them in their pursuit of licensure. After they find such sites and persons, they register their "supervisory experience" with the state committee noted above. They then complete 2,000 hours of supervised practice, after which time they apply for licensure. Once the supervised experience is completed and the license is approved, they become a Licensed Psychologist and are eligible for unsupervised independent practice as a licensed mental health provider.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) is a mental health service provider licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Social Workers in the State of Ohio. A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor typically has a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, training which includes 30 - 45 credit hours of graduate work and a 1,000 clock-hour internship. While on internship the student provides mental health services under the supervision of a licensed provider.
Once the degree is completed, the potential counselor must find mental health agencies and supervisor(s) who will support them in their pursuit of licensure. Once they find such sites and persons, they register their "supervisory experience" with the state committee noted above. They then complete 3,000 hours of supervised practice, after which time they apply for licensure. Once all work except for the 3,000 hours is complete (coursework, etc.) they can register with the state committee as a candidate for licensure. At that time, they can call themselves Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Once the supervised experience is complete and they have completed and passed the appropriate licensure examination, the license is approved, and they become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and are eligible for unsupervised independent practice as a licensed mental health provider.
Licensed Social Worker (LISW)
A Licensed Independent Social Worker (LSW) is a mental health service provider licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Social Workers in the State of Ohio. A Licensed Social Worker typically has a master’s degree in social work. Licensed Social Workers differ from Licensed Clinical Psychologists and Licensed Professional Counselors in that their training and areas of work typically involve working with larger systems (Families, Schools, etc.) rather than individuals or couples.
Once the degree is completed, the potential Licensed Social Worker must find mental health agencies and supervisor(s) who will support them in their pursuit of licensure. Once they find such sites and persons, they register their "supervisory experience" with the State committee noted above. They then complete 3,000 hours of supervised practice, after which time they apply for licensure. Once all work except for the 3,000 hours is complete (coursework, etc.) they can register with the state committee as a candidate for licensure. Once the supervised experience is complete and the license is approved, they become a Licensed Independent Social Worker, and are eligible for unsupervised independent practice as a licensed mental health provider.
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MFT/IMFT
A Marriage and Family Therapist focuses on Family Systems Theory (systems of interaction between family members.) They evaluate family roles, development, etc., that affect mental health. MFTs will attempt to include as many family members as possible into treatment.
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LICDC/CDCA
A Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor focuses on clients whose primary focus is addiction problems. They can also treat mental health issues present along with addiction issues.
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Psychiatrist (MD or DO)
A Psychiatrist is a licensed physician, who completed their training in medical school and treats their clients through the use of medication.