Proud to announce:

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Bree Winkler is a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients (virtually or in-person) manage depression, anxiety, anger, and relationship issues. 

My blood is boiling! I am a mental health counselor because I WANT to help people. I understand that life can be difficult and therefore, quality, genuine support is necessary. However, it is not always accessible or affordable to the individuals who need help the most. I choose to participate with health insurance companies as an in-network provider as part of my advocacy for helping people. Many therapists (and I mean, the majority of them!) in the Atlanta area do not accept insurance for mental health services. This means a potential client has to decide if they can afford to pay the full price of counseling in order to receive effective treatment. Some clients are blessed financially to be able to afford this luxury. Others, are not – but these people deserve to receive quality therapeutic services as well!

Deep Breath, Bree. Inhale… Exhale…

Now that I have shared with all of you what the behind-the-scenes experience of dealing with insurance companies (specifically Anthem BCBS), I want to shift focus and share with you WHY I will continue to accept insurance for my clients: Client Needs: My clients need help managing anxiety, depression, and anger. My clients don’t need (and may not be able to handle) the stress of worrying about the cost of counseling and/or the stress of contacting insurance companies. Clients deserve respect and compassion. I will advocate for them (even though it is personally frustrating sometimes).

It’s that simple (and complicated). People matter.
How can we get the insurance companies
​(specifically Anthem BCBS) to realize this?? 

Author

Bree Winkler is a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree helps clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues. She accepts Aetna and Anthem insurance plans, as well as private pay and offers receipts for out-of-network claims. 

​Life is… complicated. So true! If you are lucky, you experience many wonderful moments, develop meaningful relationships, participate in amazing experiences, laugh often, find joy in the day-to-day things, and feel loved. Unfortunately, throughout your life, you will definitely experience some negative moments. These moments might be scary, disappointing, traumatic, abusive, sad, lonely, fearful, and/or painful. Some individuals experience a lifetime of pain and hurt; others have moments of distress or sorrow, but also moments of happiness.

If you are one of millions of Americans who struggle with forgiveness, you can probably relate to the experience of having your past hurts become your present pain. This present pain can be even more intense than the original hurt because it is layered with bitterness and anger. Whoa - that’s a lot of damage you are doing to yourself! Don’t let the person(s) who hurt you continue to control your mind and your life!

How to Forgive First, be open to the concept of forgiveness. (let that sink in) Second, understand that forgiveness is NOT for the person who has hurt you (through rejection, insults, disrespect, being fake, lying, sharing secrets, breaking trust, lack of care for your well-being, and so much more).

Finally, empower yourself to keep your mind focused on healing by practicing (one or more of) the following options: Mantra – a short phrase. For example, “I can let go of the past hurt and embrace the present contentment.” Meditation – calmly breathing in and out while clearing your mind of negative or racing thoughts. Reframe – Shift your current (negative) thoughts to more positive, productive thoughts. For example: If your original thought is “I can’t get over this; I wish I could get revenge” then your reframe thought could be “I have control of my thoughts; I will not let this experience continue to hurt me today and into my future. I will let go of negative thoughts so I can let go of the past pain.” Gratitude – expression of things you are thankful for, including things you have survived. Prayer – asking for help from a higher power. Consider using these scriptures to help you: For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Positive Self-Talk – reminders you say to yourself with kindness. For example: “I am strong because I survived this abuse!” or “I feel sad and disappointed, but this is temporary and I will be okay.” Communicate – share your experiences and feelings with someone you trust. Process the situation. Cry if you need to. Remember you aren’t alone and people do care for you.

Author

Bree Winkler is a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues. Contact Bree today to schedule your initial session. 

​Welcome to the beginning of a weekly blog dedicated to Mindfulness!

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Myth: Mindfulness = completely clearing your mind of any thoughts, breathing calmly, and being peaceful. Truth: There are MANY ways to be mindful! I hope it is a relief for you to realize that you don’t have to empty your mind (because that can be almost impossible). We will focus on 6 categories of Mindfulness (created by Dr. Elisha Goldstein) – 1) Being Calm 2) Being in the Here and Now 3) Being Good to Yourself 4) Being Happy 5) Being Kind 6) Being Balanced

Author

Bree Winkler is a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues. Contact Bree today to schedule your initial session. 

​Whoa! I can relate! Can you?? I was recently listening to a podcast where someone shared this concept: “I’ve never met a feeling I didn’t want to change.” ​While you are pondering this, I’ll elaborate. The speaker shared individuals who feel happy seek to feel happier. Whereas, an individual who is experiencing a negative emotion (such a sadness, hurt, fear, disappointment, rejection, guilt, or a variety of other negative emotions), has a deep desire to feel better; to change that feeling.

Here is what is missing: Feelings have a PURPOSE. You process, interpret, and react to situations differently based on how you feel. You learn to differentiate between ‘fight or flight.’ When you accept your feelings as-is, you learn resilience. Discomfort and vulnerability are good things! Feelings are temporary! I hope you find both humor and education (through these reminders). I believe both are necessary each day.

Take home message: Feelings have a purpose. Embrace the moment and the associated feeling. Feelings will change. Don’t run away from how you feel! 

Author

If this seems like a foreign concept and/or extremely hard for you. Please ask for help. Bree Winkler is a trained licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and/or relationship issues. Contact Bree today for a free phone consultation. 

This is a quick reference guide for adults and teens. Remember, anger is an emotion AND emotions are healthy!

Author

Bree Winkler is a Licensed Professional Counselor near Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues.