Services Provided
COUNSELING SPECIALTIES
“True navigation begins in the human heart. It’s the most important map of all.” –Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey, first Polynesian Explorer and first female Fellow of the National Geographic Society
Each person is unique. Each person has value. Each person has the right to live a happy, healthy life. As each person is individual, with that individuality are unique life circumstances, challenges, and paths towards health and happiness. Our clinicians are specialized in working with First Responders and trauma; we are also experienced in working with a wide variety of communities and mental health areas. We hope to join you in your journey towards wellness.
Trauma Counseling
Traumatic events are the events which make you believe that your life is in imminent danger of serious injury or losing your life; these terrible events include accidents, assaults, or natural disasters. Individuals who have endured trauma may experience shock and denial; longer-term reactions can include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and physical symptoms. These feelings are normal, but some people may have difficulty moving forward. Our clinicians are specialized in working with survivors of trauma, navigating those emotions as we find the path, together, with constructive tools in managing these emotions.
Work and Organizational Stress
We have all experienced stress in our profession, where that stress not only adversely affects our work life, but also our family life. Work and organizational stress occurs as a result of a variety of factors, the most common:
- Job demands: workload, long hours, strenuous deadlines
- Organizational culture: adverse relationship with a supervisor, hostile work environment, ineffective company communication, poor management practices, changes within the organization
- Balancing work and family life
- Job insecurity
As a result, workers can become burnt out, and are no longer engaged, leading to a loss of productivity and self-fulfillment. Long-term, work and organization stress can lead to anxiety, depression, or other serious mental health issues, if we do not have constructive coping skills.
A phenomenon we have not experienced in our lifetime: the current pandemic which has caused a severe global economic deterioration and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, presenting new, unprecedented challenges.
These challenges may seem overwhelming, but you can regain control. You have the power to reorganize your life to reprioritize what is most important, to regain balance. Our clinicians can guide your path in discovering insights into alternative perspectives to re-evaluate, re-energize and re-engage.
New- and First Generation- Americans
We celebrate the differences associated with individuality, because it gives us the opportunity to learn and grow. A huge part of life’s journey is continual evolution and growth through wonder—to grow, we learn and experience new things; we see different perspectives, perhaps from cultures which may seem vastly different from our own.
The emergence of COVID in the United States brought with it the re-emergence of xenophobia. We were saddened to see the treatment of people of Asian descent: citizens were attacked on the street, Chinese restaurants were vandalized, while employees of others were verbally abused and harassed—all born out of fear and misdirected anger and blame. It is easy for people to think in terms of “us” and “them,” because of fear. That dichotomy does not truly exist. We fundamentally share similar experiences in life, and it is within those shared experiences, there is only an “us”— together.
We continue to believe in the ideals in which our country was founded: welcoming people seeking a better life for themselves and their children; refugees fleeing their war-torn home replete with corruption, seeking sanctuary. One defining attribute of the United States is a country of a melting pot: comprised of different people of different cultures and ethnicities, coming together to create something distinct.
We are experienced in working with new- and first-generation Americans in the unique, and at times, difficult circumstances they experience: assimilating to American (or Western) culture, while also remaining true to their traditions; re-establishing roots in a new environment with vastly different customs and traditions, while finding suitable employment; or balancing particular pressures from a family with traditional values and expectations, with remaining true to their aspirations and selves.
There is an inherent excitement in discoveries: in experiences, in food, in people— even in ourselves. We value the differences among people—because we make new discoveries. We may be different, yet we are all bonded in similar experiences in life: love for our families; sharing and enjoying experiences with friends; marriages, family, and children—perhaps, companion animals; loss of loved ones.
We hope to be a part of your expedition in exploring a new route in your life, as we learn while we navigate that journey: together, and from one another.
Anxiety, Depression, Life Stress
Life can be demanding, especially with an unprecedented health phenomenon, causing additional stress and uncertainty, which can lead to anxiety or depression, compounded to daily, general stresses.
Anxiety
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a routine part of life; we may feel a little nervous, moments before an important presentation; we may feel momentary panic because we were mistaken in the row or section, we parked our car. Yet, these moments lapse. Individuals who may have anxiety disorders will frequently experience intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations; these individuals will also experience repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear, which reaches a peak within minutes, exhibited as panic attacks. These feelings are incredibly intense, where they interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, and are out of proportion to the actual danger, forcing these individuals to avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Some individuals are naturally prone to anxiety, where life experiences, such as traumatic events, can trigger anxiety disorders.
Although intermittent anxiety is normal, if you feel as if you are worrying in an excess amount, and it interferes with your work, relationships, or other parts of your life, you do not need to face these challenges alone. Our clinicians can guide you with healthy, constructive coping strategies to mitigate the worry, fear, and anxiety.
Depression
Life’s journey is marked with moments, both happy and sad. Sad life circumstances: the death of a loved one or companion animal, the loss of a job, or the ending of a relationship—all are difficult experiences to endure—the sadness is normal. In depression, individuals feel sadness; the distinction is that the individual experiences a persistent feeling of sadness, associated with a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, noticeably distinctive in affecting the way a person feels, thinks, and behaves, with the person having difficulty in performing everyday activities in school, work, social activities, and relationships, with a feeling of hopelessness.
Common signs of depression:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability, agitation, or frustration
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, or increase amount of sleep)
- Tiredness and lack of energy- extra effort is exerted for even small tasks
- Appetite disturbances (reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings and weight gain)
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, with a fixation of past failures, or self-blame
- Trouble in thinking, concentrating, decision-making, remembering; slowed thinking, speaking, or body movement
- Frequent or recurring thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, or suicide
If you think you may hurt yourself, or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency room number immediately. Another option is to call the National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, call the same number, and press “1.”
If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide, or has made a suicide attempt, ensure that he or she is not alone. Call 911 or your local emergency room number immediately. If you believe it is safe to do so, take the person to the nearest emergency room.
You are important. You have value. The feelings associated with depression are misleading—there is always hope. Together, with our clinicians, we navigate the route towards wellness. Our clinicians are experienced in treating depression utilizing a variety of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focused on the present and problem solving. As every person is an individual, every individualist problem has an individualistic solution. We hope to embark on that expedition with you, to discover that solution.
Life Stress
We have all experienced stress in our lives, whether the death of a loved one, a divorce, an increase in financial obligation, or experiencing a chronic illness or injury (or being a caregiver)—the common thread: a huge life change. Change can be overwhelming, yet you have the power to persevere through it. We believe in the strength each person possesses, and their capability to harness that strength to overcome adversity, to actively create positive change— steps in the path towards overall wellness.
Men’s Issues
Men and women can experience mental health difficulties, where there are noticeable differences between the issues affecting them, particularly the factors which may influence those issues. Men’s issues can often originate from societal expectations and traditional gender roles, which may cause increased pressure and stresses, with an internalized ideation that he must: be the primary financial provider, display traditional “masculine” traits (strength, control)—leading to the reliance only on himself (rather than seeking help or speaking openly about his emotions).
Common mental health conditions in men:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Anger
- PTSD
- Relationship issues
- Substance abuse
We believe each person has the right to live a healthy, balanced life, with the freedom to seek support and treatment. Our clinicians are experienced in guiding our male clients in opening themselves and accepting support. Seeking and accepting support and treatment is a sign of strength, as the individual is actively seeking tools for personal growth. The healthy coping skills and tools our clinicians can equip our clients include emotional regulation, effective communication, and focusing on self-care (taking time for leisure and hobbies), helping to improve mood, which not only contributes to healthy wellness in body and mind, but also in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships.
LGBTQIA+
One community of people we hope to empower is the LGTBQIA+ community. The LGBTAQIA+ community faces unique circumstances many people may never understand. There is an exponential risk for a variety of mental health conditions among this population, as a result of discrimination, bullying, violence, marginalization, heterosexism/cisgenderism, and homophobia, biphobia, and/or transphobia, rather than any factor inherent to identifying as an LGBTQIA+-identified individual.
Some LGBTQIA+-identified individuals may experience a “dual alienation,” where individuals who belong to more than one marginalized group are double marginalized. If the LGBTQIA+-individual also belongs to other marginalized groups because of their race, ability, socioeconomic status, or other factor, the marginalization is cumulative, and becomes much more complex.
One devastating factor for the increased risk of mental health conditions: the potential loss of support and rejection by friends and family, particularly among LGBTQIA+-identified youth. A large study of LGBTQIA+-identified youth showed that those who were rejected by their families were more than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide, compared to their LGBTQIA+-identified peers who reported no, to low levels of family rejection. LGBTQIA+-identified individuals have a two to six times higher lifetime risk of suicide and/or depression, compared to the general population.
We believe every person is valuable, and we celebrate their individuality. We welcome each person and ensure each LGBTQIA+-identified individual has a safe and supportive environment with us, as we guide them on the path towards self-discovery and assurance. Our clinicians utilize a variety of techniques to help reduce anxiety and depression, while also supply you with constructive coping skills and tools to manage acute and chronic mental health conditions. One modality we utilize is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide you through your journey of healing from, and radical acceptance of the rejection of family and friends. Our approach is to provide supportive, non-biased therapy which will empower you to set boundaries for others and yourself, and to discover the courage to be your true self.
Adjustment and Life Transitions
Life is fluid with changes and transitions, as we travel a road with alternate paths. Each path marking a hallmark in life: a first job, transitioning into a new career, earning a retirement; falling in love, building a life, family, and partnership with that person. With the fluidity of life, changes are inevitable with the path we chose, or because of uncontrollable circumstance imposed on us: our jobs are no longer challenging and we are no longer fulfilled, or we are laid off; we drift and diverge away from our partner, or our lifetime partner passes. Yet, with an end of one journey, begins another.
The huge life change and transition can be difficult to traverse. We understand the adjustment to this immense change can be arduous, perhaps too substantial and overwhelming to handle. We can tackle the challenges associated with transitions, together, with constructive tools to cope with the changes. The transition process is gradual, a path taken one step at a time, one day at a time, to reach your destination—the next phase in life.
Grief and Loss
Unfortunately, in life’s journey, we will experience loss: the death of a loved one, perhaps of a companion animal, the loss of a job, or the ending of a relationship. Each experience is difficult to endure. The grieving process is natural and unique to each person; for some individuals, the process may be more challenging.
Common emotions associated with grief:
- Denial
- Disbelief
- Confusion
- Shock
- Sadness
- Anger
- Despair
- Guilt
These emotions are normal, and it takes time to process the impact of the intensity of the loss. The best thing for you to do in the process, is to allow yourself to grieve. As grieving is a process, the time for each person will vary, but with each passing day, the pain will become less severe. An important part of the grieving process is to express your feelings, which will help you to work through the pain.
During a bleak time, our clinicians can help you take the steps towards healing from grief, one step at a time. Together, we can navigate through the rough waters of grief, as we find constructive tools to help you begin to live again in the present, as you give yourself the time to adjust. Support, patience, and your active participation in the grief process will help you to heal from the pain and grief of your loss. It may take months, even years, but we will always be a part of your support system to weather through it.
Adolescents
Adolescence is a unique stage in human development, a critical and formative period for building the foundation of good health throughout life, both physical and emotional. It is during this time when adolescents learn and establish patterns of behavior, translated into adulthood.
There is a strong correlation between healthy physical development during childhood and adolescence with good mental health, also preventing mental health conditions in the future. Poor mental health can have lasting effects on the wider health and development of adolescents. If not addressed, poor mental health could lead to conduct disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, as well as other risk behaviors relating to sexual behavior, substance abuse, and violent behavior (against others, or self-harm), associated with low self-esteem, or as coping mechanisms.
We believe that, for adolescents to develop in good health, they must be equipped with the right tools, engaging and giving them opportunities to develop life skills and to make conscientious choices. Our approach is to provide a supportive environment to facilitate meaningful participation, where adolescents can be empowered to develop constructive problem-solving skills and self-confidence to improve and maintain their health and wellness.