Through focused collaboration with you, solutions are found that work for you. The result will be a renewed sense of purpose, hope, tolerance, happiness, joy and freedom to overcome any challenge.
Counseling Services
What is Addictions Counseling?
Addictions counseling is a professional and therapeutic process based upon an understanding of substance abuse and other addictive behaviors being a disease of the brain. Addiction psychology and substance abuse counseling focuses on the way a person thinks, the way they see the world and how they relate to other people. 
The purpose for addictions counseling is to help people make strategic and successful efforts to find and preserve their sobriety. Recovery from this chronic disease of addictions takes effort much like recovering from any other chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Your counselor who is trained and experienced will be able to guide you than into a lifestyle that does not need addictive behaviors. Please remember, that as it is with all chronic illnesses, you can't recover by power alone and you need to help of a professional who understands this disease
What is Counseling?
Counseling provides support for people struggling with many kinds of problems, personal, professional and interpersonal. The process of therapy brings a trained and disciplined intellect, that is a professional counselor, to focus with a client as they find solutions to various kinds of problems. This kind of objectivity helps people get calmer so they can think more clearly as they search for problems solutions.
Counseling is a confidential and cooperative relationship you establish with a counselor so that you can explore options and solutions in areas of your life were you might be stuck. Your counselor's office provides a safe place to discuss topics which trouble or concern and get them off your chest. Your counselor will not make decisions for you, but, will help you better understand yourself so that you can learn how to better take care of yourself and add quality to your lifestyle.
What is the Best Way to Use Counseling?
When you first meet with your counselor, be as specific and descriptive as you can about your concerns and what is on your mind. The more open and honest you can be with your counselor, the better the outcomes will be. Feel free to ask questions, as well as take your time to reflect on topics that catch your attention, especially the ones your counselor may bring up.
Most good counselors will provide homework or suggestions for things to do after your counseling session. To make full use of counseling, it is best to practice any skills or strategies your counselor suggests that you try and apply to your life. It is also important to remember that change and improvement can take time. Be patient with yourself and the counseling process.
What Kinds of Counseling Do You Offer?
My counseling services are centered on the positive resolution and understanding of transitions. Through focused collaboration, together, you and I will find solutions to your concerns and worries. The result will be a renewed sense of purpose, hope, tolerance, happiness, joy and freedom to overcome any challenge.
The following are specific areas that my practice covers:
- Addictions and substance abuse counseling for alcohol and other drugs
- Helping couples, parents and family members cope with substance abuse in the family
- Working with teenagers manage conflicts with parents and peers
- Helping middle aged men through career and relationship challenges
- Showing families how to understand and use the benefits of ADHD
- Helping young adults find a new career path and get started again
- Surviving a jolt or transition in your life
- Dealing with the challenges Seniors and their families can face
- Defusing inter-generational family conflict
If you have a concern and you want to know if it falls within my areas of expertise and training, please do not hesitate to contact.
Do I Really Need Counseling?
That is a question only you can answer. What I do know is that counseling is not for everyone any more than medication, yoga or running benefits everyone. Life is a journey of exploration. With that in mind, I encourage you to have an open mind to this process of making life better using a professional guide and companion, a counselor.
I am very willing to spend time with you on the phone answering any questions or concerns you may have about me as a professional or the counseling process in general. Often hesitation about a decision is simply a matter of not having enough information to be able to see clearly a path that works for you. Gather information about counseling from me, your friends that may have gone the counseling or information you can find elsewhere, such as online. Then when you're ready trust yourself to make the best decision for yourself.
Is What You and I Talk About Kept Confidential?
Yes! HIPPA (the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) enacted strong and clear legislation protecting the confidentiality and management of private, personal information. My practice is HIPPA compliant and I will protect your confidentiality to the limits of the law.
Having said that, you must also be aware that there are certain exceptions to this privacy and confidentiality protection. These pertain mostly to concerns about homeland security and information about criminal activity which som e law-enforcement agencies have the right to access.
Call me today and let's begin to help you lighten your load, get things off your chest and reduce the emotional pain.
CONTACT ANDY
Phone: 814-591-0755...any time & any day!
Email: [email protected]
