So, you are thinking about seeing a counselor. But, you need more information! What happens behind closed doors of a counseling session? Will it help? What do I say or do during the sesssion?

Take a deep breath and breathe out :)

I provide a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment for individuals and families. I help
clients work through their struggles effectively and at their own pace, while using their own strengths. I teach life skills and appropriate coping strategies. I will explore the individual’s feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions and help them understand how their behavior is directly related to their views on self, others, and the world. I will encourage individuals in finding new solutions and to find ways to have a more satisfying and rewarding personal life.
Therapy is a process.
There is not a guarantee to “fix” problems. There are several treatment options and theoretical approaches to identify, diagnose, and treat clients. It is important to find a therapist who is empathetic, ethical, and professional. It is your duty as a client to find a therapist that is helpful to you. Effective therapists should challenge you within the framework of their therapeutic focus, while also keeping you safe.

As a Cognitive-Behavioral therapist, I will challenge your maladaptive thought processes and give you homework assignments to practice thought and behavioral changes. Positive changes will not occur if you are not committed to making changes and/or disagree with my therapeutic orientation. Therapy is a partnership between counselor and client.

Are you ready to begin your therapuetic journey? Contact Bree today!

We’ve all been in an emotional place where we think “I don’t deserve this” and “I can’t believe this is happening to me!” You’re right – you do deserve to be happy and healthy! So, how do you get out of the dark place and into living your life to its fullest? Remind yourself daily of these 3 concepts:

You have the Power to Believe In Yourself
    Take a deep breath and release slowly
    Make a list of your positive qualities and strengths
    Use positive affirmation and positive self-talk

You Are Who You Choose To Be
    Make a list of goals and desires
    Make plans to accomplish goals that are important to you
    Replace complaining with action

You are Capable of Overcoming Obstacles and Managing Problems
    Identify the problem
    Brainstorm for a Solution
    Make a Pro/Con list
    Choose a Solution
    Put the Solution into Action
    Trust the process
    Ask for help when needed

Life does happen for a reason – choose to be proactive instead of waiting for life to happen to you.

Have you ever noticed the look on your face when you are angry, upset, confused, or troubled by something? Is this the look you want others to see? I am constantly telling clients to “fix your face.”

What is “fix your face?” 
             
It is a funny way to remind people how they show their emotions affects how other people respond to them. For example, if you walk around with a scowl on your face, other people tend to avoid you.

It also helps remind individuals that adjusting their body language and facial expressions can alter their mood. For example, gritting your teeth and squinting your eyes shows anger. If you fix your face by consciously relaxing face muscles and portraying a calm expression, you start to feel calm. In addition, it gives you time to decide how you want to proceed in the current situation because you can easily use effective problem solving skills when you are calm and collected.

Body Language and Facial Expressions are Behaviors

Behaviors are a result of a specific thought causing you to feel a certain way. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, start with changing your problematic thoughts. Use this simple formula:

                                        THOUGHTS       ----->         FEELINGS       ----->      BEHAVIORS 
                                                                         Cause                                         Cause

Having a bad day? Week? Life? Talked to your friends and family but still don’t feel better? Feel like no one understands you? Or does everyone give advice without listening to the problem first? Need support? This is the beginning of a list of reasons why therapy would be helpful to you.

 Benefits of Mental Health Therapy:

 Knowing someone is truly listening to you and cares about you.
During sessions, you are the most important person in the room and your needs are the only thing that matters.

 Decreases anxiety and stress.
You learn techniques to control breathing, thoughts, and behaviors.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and coping skills can stop negative thought processes that create emotional pain.

 Improved Decision Making.
Support from a counselor/therapist helps individuals work through their thought process and use
the problem-solving model to making choices that are helpful and healthy. 
 
Overcoming specific problems you face in your day-to-day living.
Therapy helps resolve phobias, mental health diagnoses, eating disorders, and relationship concerns. 

Learning about yourself.
Discussing your strengths, challenges, goals, and dreams to continue to improve and grow in a positive way. 

Read Testimonials from clients who have benefited from therapy with Bree. Contact Private Counseling today to determine how I can help you and to schedule an appointment.

In-Home Therapy is exactly like it sounds -- your personalized, professional mental health counseling sessions will be conducted in the privacy of your home.
 
Benefits for you include:

• No commute or traffic headaches
• Convenient
• Saves time
• You choose the setting of session: dining room table, den, living room, patio or walking while we talk
• Creating own comfortable space
• Reduces stigma of attending counseling sessions
• Do not have to miss work or other important events
• Appointment times that fit your lifestyle -- evening and weekend appointments
• No need to rush to appointment

I provide a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment for individuals and families. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia (#LPC005623). My specialization is using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a holistic approach to manage Depression, Anger Management, Anxiety, Adolescent concerns, Parenting concerns, and Medical/Health issues. 

Schedule an appointment today!