Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD was once thought to only occur in combat vets or military personnel. We now know that PTSD can happen to anyone and is more common than once thought.
Are you experiencing frequent nightmares? Flashbacks of an event that won’t seem to go away?
Do you just feel ‘numb’? The hobbies and activities that w
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD was once thought to only occur in combat vets or military personnel. We now know that PTSD can happen to anyone and is more common than once thought.
Are you experiencing frequent nightmares? Flashbacks of an event that won’t seem to go away?
Do you just feel ‘numb’? The hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable are no longer fun?
Do you startle easily? Become easily agitated or irritable, or struggle to manage strong emotions?
Maybe you are avoiding certain people or places that cause you to become incredibly stressed or overwhelmed; just thinking of having to see or be in a certain place causes severe stress and panic.
Have You Ever Had A Traumatic Event?
You may be wondering if you have ever had a traumatic event. With trauma, the experience can be defined as any experience that has overwhelmed your ability to cope. The experience may have caused feelings of immense helplessness or perceived as life threatening. It can be a single event or more complex and be a series of events that have impacted your life.
Experiencing a traumatic event is common; 5 out of 10 women and 6 out of 10 men will experience a trauma in their lifetime. Just because you have experienced a trauma does not necessarily mean you will go on to develop PTSD. There are many ways to categorize trauma and experiencing an event first hand versus witnessing an event plays a role in how to effectively intervene with someone.
You Can Begin to Heal From Trauma
PTSD treatment can be extremely effective at managing the symptoms of trauma. Since trauma is subjective, treatment must be the same. Therapy can provide a safe and healing space for you to begin the process of managing symptoms of depression, irritability, hyper-vigilance, poor self worth, shame and guilt and many other symptoms that develop.
We will also work on helping you understand what is happening in your mind and body to begin to relieve symptoms and help you understand that you are reacting normally to an abnormal event that happened to you.
Many people are terrified at the thought of beginning PTSD counseling. Some concerns that are often brought up are:
Will I have to talk about what happened to me?
Our first goal together is to ensure that you feel safe, calm, and supported. You will never be forced to discuss your experience and can say as little or as much as you are comfortable with. Many people struggle to put words to intense emotional experiences so you may not have the words to talk about your event. Providing education around trauma and your specific symptoms will be key in beginning to manage them.
There are also many different types of interventions and we will work together to determine which intervention is right for you. The brain is an amazing organ and finds ways to heal itself with the proper guidance and techniques. Our bodies have the capacity to not only store our trauma but to release it as well. You can begin to take back control of your life with treatment.
What is EMDR and can it help me?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy is an 8 phase process that focuses directly on the traumatic memory/memories that are causing emotional distress. The goal of EMDR is to help someone reprocess these memories internally in order to change the way the memory is stored in the brain. This is done by distracting your brain with either eye movements, sound, and/or bilateral stimulation. Since this is an internal process, a person does not have to talk at length about the distressing event(s) but rather process them internally under the guidance of a trained therapist.
This Sounds Difficult- Is It Worth It?
Therapy can be difficult no matter what you come in for. PTSD treatment is no doubt challenging, but the rewards of improving your quality of life and no longer feeling weighed down by the burden of your symptoms can be life changing.
If you would like to learn more or to see if we would be a good fit together, please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation.
Are you feeling a lack of motivation in your life? Maybe you are struggling with being tearful and sad without really understanding why. Many of the things you once enjoyed are no longer pleasurable or you just feel you don’t have the energy to interact with friends and family.
You may feel hopeless about the future and about yourself. Y
Are you feeling a lack of motivation in your life? Maybe you are struggling with being tearful and sad without really understanding why. Many of the things you once enjoyed are no longer pleasurable or you just feel you don’t have the energy to interact with friends and family.
You may feel hopeless about the future and about yourself. You may find you are sleeping more than normal or that your eating habits have changed. You also may have thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself or thoughts of suicide.
The Cycle of Depression
Depression often leaves you wanting to isolate or withdraw from the outside world. When this happens you may have more feelings of sadness or irritability that cause you to further isolate or stay in bed. As a result, you feel worse and continue to have negative thoughts leaving you feeling you’ll never feel happiness again.
You’re Not Alone
Did you know roughly 18 million people also struggle with depression? And it is the primary reason why someone dies by suicide every 12 minutes in this country (CDC, 2011). Children, teens, and adults can be impacted by depression and it can have lasting effects on our well-being.
Can’t You Just Choose To Be Happy?
Some people make the mistake of saying things like this which only causes more hopelessness and feelings of shame and guilt. Many people cannot get better on their own no matter what they try. Social media can also play a role and many teens and young adults feel the need to keep up with others living the ‘perfect’ life. This can be another reason people don’t reach out for support; they are embarrassed and may feel they will be judged for seeking help.
You Can Begin to Feel Better. Treatment for depression can begin to help you feel more hopeful for the future and help you better understand the cause of your depression. There are a variety of different types of interventions that have shown to be effective in treating depression.
What Can Help Treat Depression?
There are a variety of different types of interventions for Depression that have shown to be effective in relieving people of their symptoms. We will look at what will be right for you and come up with a treatment plan that will meet your needs. A few common interventions are:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy evaluates your thought process and how you are talking to yourself. Thoughts are incredibly powerful and can impact the way you feel and ultimately act. We can evaluate any negative thought patterns that may be contributing to your depression and begin to shape limiting or negative beliefs you may have about yourself, others, and the world.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR)
This type of therapy has been shown to assist people get to the root cause of their distress that may be the result of unresolved trauma or significant life experiences. This is an 8 phase treatment that can help remove the root of the issue and help someone begin to heal once the root has been removed.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
MBSR can be an extremely effective way for people with depression to focus on the present, instead of on painful events or feelings of the past. Utilizing a combination of mindfulness techniques, yoga, and meditation, this intervention assists clients in relieving stress and begin to connect the body and mind.
This is by no means an exhaustive list- there are many more different types of interventions for depression! If you are ready to make a change and see if we are a good fit please contact us for a free 15 min. consultation.
Young Adulthood, The world is a very different place than what it was a generation ago. You have different stressors and others may not understand what you are going through to find your place in the world.
Stressed and Depressed
Are you struggling trying to find a job, or do well in school? Are you feeling like you’ll never be financia
Young Adulthood, The world is a very different place than what it was a generation ago. You have different stressors and others may not understand what you are going through to find your place in the world.
Stressed and Depressed
Are you struggling trying to find a job, or do well in school? Are you feeling like you’ll never be financially stable no matter what you do? Is this causing increased anxiety and depression? Is navigating relationships in the age of online dating tiresome?
Are the picture perfect lifestyles seen on social media impacting you? Feeling like everyone else has their life together when you are still trying to figure everything out?
Today’s young adults (18-25) have been shown to be the most stressed age group in our population today. With economic uncertainty, a mound of student loan debt, and Covid-19 wrecking havoc on our ability to connect or stay employed, you are facing an unprecedented level of stress.
Now What?
You may feel paralyzed by what’s taking place around you and be overwhelmed at the thought of managing the daily responsibilities of adult life. You may also be finding yourself trying to navigate a different world now that Covid-19 has caused a significant impact on our ability to function and go about our lives. Being overwhelmed can cause people to become stuck; they have no idea which way to go or how to begin to take steps to lead a happier life. Therapy can assist you in getting un-stuck by providing a space to help you learn new ways to combating stress or providing a safe space for you to talk through life’s phases.
If you feel you’d like to try therapy and see if we would be a good fit please feel free to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation. Contact us today
Are You Experiencing Issues with Your Teen? Have you noticed a change in your child over the course of time? That they are more moody, irritable, or have increasingly risky behaviors?
Have you tried talking with them only to have the discussion end up in an argument? Is your teen struggling in school or has had a change in their peer group?
As a parent you want what is best for your child but may be at a loss as to what they need right now. While some of the behaviors expressed above are typical developmental changes commonly seen in teens, some behaviors and changes may be due to an underlying issue.
They Won’t Talk to Me or Anyone Right Now
You may feel like your teen isn’t hearing what you’re trying to say and it’s been increasingly difficult to talk with them. They may tune you out or become irritable with you when trying to communicate. Teens may find talking with a parent about certain topics embarrassing or awkward; sometimes it’s easier for a therapist to speak with teens since therapy offers a judgment free zone where they can talk as much or as little as they need.
The Teenage Brain
Not only is your teen going through puberty and other developmental milestones; their brain is also undergoing much transformation as well! Did you know that the human brain typically isn’t fully developed until about 25 or 26 years old? This is why impulsiveness, poor decision making, and poor planning are common characteristics seen in this age group. Parts of their brain aren’t fully developed yet; knowing this as well as having the support of a therapist can help you begin to understand your teen and increase more effective communication.
What If My Teen Refuses to Talk to Someone?
If your teen is willing to come in, that’s a great sign! There are lots of ways to build a therapeutic relationship with a young person. Maybe they are interested in music or art or have some other activity they enjoy. These interests can easily be incorporated in therapy. If they don’t want to come in, that’s okay too! Maybe as a parent it would be helpful to talk with a therapist about the struggles of raising a teen so you can get support for yourself.
Will I be Involved in Their Treatment?
Working with one family member usually means that others will be involved at some point as well. Your counselor will work together with your teen to determine what their needs are as well as the family so that everyone can have a level of support to begin to work towards a healthier relationship.
If you would like to gain more information please feel free to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation.
We are a safe space!
Are you a member of the LGBTQ community and looking for additional supports and resources? Maybe you've wanted to find a safe space to talk but feel reluctant or scared to put yourself out there. It may feel like you don't have a safe space to be your authentic self and find it difficult to find others who share and
We are a safe space!
Are you a member of the LGBTQ community and looking for additional supports and resources? Maybe you've wanted to find a safe space to talk but feel reluctant or scared to put yourself out there. It may feel like you don't have a safe space to be your authentic self and find it difficult to find others who share and understand your life or experiences. If you are looking to build your community and find others who can relate and provide support in a safe and welcoming environment, we invite you to join us for PRIDE: a group that celebrates and supports authenticity and diversity.
Did you know that certain frequencies and vibrations with sound have the ability to calm us, reduce stress and tension and promote both physical and emotional health? Sound can be an incredible way to improve your mind, body and spirit. The human body is about 75% water, which makes for great conductors of vibrations. Using specific frequencies and various types of instruments, sound healing has become a popular self care skill for many!
Call 724-590-0595 for more information!
Mindfulness is appreciating the beauty in the details of one single moment and feeling connected to yourself and to life as a whole in that appreciation. It allows you to truly experience the moments of your life and enables you to react from a calm, clear, and centered place.
It is through meditation that we train ourselves to find these mindful moments naturally. This formal practice reintroduces us to our true selves; allows us to process our experiences, thoughts, and emotions; and restructures our neural pathways to continue to return to this calm, clear, and centered state of being with ease and grace.
Mindfulness and Meditation services include discussion of these concepts, shared personal experiences, guided meditations to lead you to your own place of truth, and mindfulness practices to experience the effect that meditation can have on your everyday life. Call 724-252-7202 for more information!
We carry our unprocessed experiences and emotions with us and hold them as energy in our bodies. Over time, this energy can become stuck leading to physical ailments. For example, think of the negative effects that stress can have on your physical health - tightness in your neck and shoulders, shortness of breath, upset stomach. These are all a result of stagnant energy. The ancient Chinese practice of Qigong pairs graceful movement with the breath in a way that intentionally releases stagnant energy, opening us up to allow life force energy to flow through us. This gentle practice will leave you feeling connected, balanced, and energized
Call 724-252-7202 for more information!
In my Therapeutic massages I combine guided meditation, relaxing massage and reiki all in one. I have been a massage therapist for 17 years.
Liz- 412-551-1889
Consilium offers a variety of trainings for mental health agencies such as treatment planning and documentation, dealing with difficult clients, understanding trauma and many other relevant topics. We are committed to helping other counselors improve their therapeutic skills and interventions to confidently intervene with clients.
Are you looking to gain insight into challenging client scenarios? Maybe you would like to increase your skill set or knowledge base on a particular intervention or topic. Consilium offers consultation services to help other professionals gain new insights and skills. Our consultation services can be utilized with our training programs or used as a stand alone service.
Congratulations! You have graduated with your Master’s degree…now what?! While your graduate program has no doubt provided fundamental skills and the knowledge to take the State board exam, it doesn’t really tell you what happens after this. If your next step is to gain your Licensed Professional Counselor title and you are in need of li
Congratulations! You have graduated with your Master’s degree…now what?! While your graduate program has no doubt provided fundamental skills and the knowledge to take the State board exam, it doesn’t really tell you what happens after this. If your next step is to gain your Licensed Professional Counselor title and you are in need of licensing hours, please contact us to help you on your journey.
You don't want to miss out on these opportunities of relaxation and healing for ALL ages!