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| ARCHIVES Adverse childhood experiences (such as an alcoholic, mentally ill, or absent parent, childhood emotional, physical, sexual neglect and abuse), date rape, domestic violence, sibling violence, and one-time life-threatening events are only a few examples of traumatic experiences that can cause us to be symptomatic.
Many people who have experienced trauma minimize, bury, or avoid thinking and discussing past trauma. They often say, "It wasn't so bad. Others have had it worse than me. I have put this behind me. I'm not sure if what happened to me is still a problem in my life." However, current symptoms that stem from trauma can range from mild to severe. They can include anxiety, panic attacks, depression, addictions, eating disorder, co-dependence, promiscuity, high-risk or thrill-seeking behavior, explosive anger, PTSD, numbing, suicidality, multiple unexplained, and treatment resistant medical problems, disrupted relationships. The problem with denying and minimizing that a past traumatic history may be dictating your current behaviors or symptoms is that this leads to misdiagnosis, failed treatment attempts, and unnecessary distress. The time spent untreated can be catastrophic for the health of your mind, body, and relationships. After Trauma' and 'Trauma Recovery and Empowerment' groups.
Why Don't You Accept Insurance? When insurance companies are involved with payment for a portion of counseling services, they become a part of the treatment plan. They then have access to detailed information about you. It also means that as a counselor, I must assign you a specific diagnosis for which you are receiving counseling services. This information becomes a part of your permanent record. Insurance companies will also dictate how many sessions will be paid for. For these reasons, I prefer working directly with clients in determining their course of treatment and receiving payment. However, most of my clients are still able to receive some reimbursement from their insurance company. I am considered an out-of-network provider. Please check with your insurance company.
Half of all marriages end in divorce. Increase your chances of success with Pre-Marital Counseling. Your odds for a successful marriage are increased up to 30% with pre-marital counseling. If all couples included Pre-Marital Counseling in their wedding budgets, I truly believe the divorce rate would plummet. There are 7 relationship skills and areas of knowledge that research has shown to contribute to successful marriages. These are covered when we do Pre-Marital Counseling: - Compatability
- Expectations
- Long-term goals and values
- Intimacy and sexuality
- Conflict resolution
- Communication
- Personality styles and family-of-origin issues
Pre-Marital Counseling can reduce the stress of the wedding-planning period as well as setting a couple up for a successful start. Without preparation and issues dealt with before the marriage, negative habits and patterns may become established and issues will be much more complicated and difficult to resolve. Pre-Marital Counseling helps you establish a strong foundation for your marriage with open communication, and the ability to set goals and resolve conflict as a couple. I am passionate about this area and truly believe all couples would benefit from some form of Pre-Marital Counseling by a private therapist or clergy member. 
Do you know someone that you feel could benefit from pre-marital counseling, that may not have the funds to do so on their own? We have Gift Cards available with a 15% discount (3 session minimum). What a wonderful wedding gift for someone you love to ensure they get the best start possible in their new marriage.
Marriage, Couples & Relationship Counseling | Although most of us are in love when we get married, continuing to create and sustain that love proves difficult with daily stresses, raising children, hectic lifestyles and both partners often working. Add in past resentments and hurts, miscommunication and family-of-origin issues and it is easy to allow bad habits to creep into your relationship. I help traditional and non-traditional couples who may be dating, living together, or in long-term relationships. Marriage Counseling and Couples Counseling can be very helpful for couples that are having difficulty communicating effectively. How many of us truly listen to each other? I can teach you communication skills for increased understanding and intimacy and less conflict and anger towards each other. Couples Counseling is very action-oriented with skills practiced between sessions and unlimited e-mail support for faster results. I also help with sexual issues and sexual dysfunction. 40-50% of all marriages end in divorce, but of the half that are able to stay married, over half experience infidelity at some time in the marriage. I help couples after an affair when trust has been broken and a couple is trying to make it work and rebuild their relationship. This is an extremely painful event and that takes time to heal. However, with counseling, relationships can often become stronger than before with their foundation strengthened.
Marriage and Couples Counseling rates are $125 for a 60 minute session. We gave our money to a marriage counselor instead of a divorce lawyer" ~Shirley Jones explaining how she and her husband, Marty Ingels, stayed married for 30 years. 
Marriage Tune-Ups Why wait until a crisis to come to counseling? We service our cars don't we? We get the oil changed regularly to ensure they run well and last. Why not a Marriage Tune Up? Over time and with daily stressors, many of us tend to resort to poor communication and negarive habits in our relationships. A Marriage Tune Up usually consists of 1 or 2 sessions to tweak and improve your relationship, learn new skills, or consult with an expert about areas you are concerned with. This could be parenting, communication, dealing with in-laws, making time to nuture your relationship, or sexual issues. You'l leave with your relationship strengthened and renewed. Take the time to rekindle the love you both had in the beginning! |
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I am state Board Approved for LPC-Intern Supervision. I am currently accepting a limited number of LPC-Interns for individual and group supervision. Interns will be responsible for their own client load either through an employer, internship site, or a private practice they are going to be practicing in, as I have limited office space. An initial interview will help us to determine if we are a good fit. I have a range of experience in non-profit settings, crisis care, residential settings, and private practice. I have experience with all age groups from toddlers (play therapy) to geriatrics. My approach to counseling may be different than yours, however that is usually not an issue as long as cases are conceptualized well and treatment plans are congruent and ethical. Rates for individual supervision sessions is $60/session. Group supervision is $40/person. Half of your supervision time may be via group supervision. I invite you to call for an informal meeting if you are interested in discussing further. I would also encourage you to interview with several supervisors before making a decision. Your experience in your internship is where you begin to really formulate your approach and grow as a therapist. Having someone who will encourage you and at the same time, challenge you, can be a rewarding experience. I consider it an honor when I am able to do that for interns, much the same way mentors in my own life have been able to support me and help me to become a better therapist.
| Track | Relaxation | Guided Imagery | Affirmations | Biblical Affirmations | | 1 | Muscle Relaxation | Journey on the Beach | Affirmations for Your Journey: Positive Self-Talk | Joy | | 2 | Progressive Reverse Muscle Relaxation | Sand Castle and Treasures | Goal Attainment | Peace | | 3 | Deep Breathing | Busy Bees | Peak Performance | Forgiveness |
Official Release Orders
Official CD Release Date or After Texas Resident Compact Disk - $19.99 with Paypal Service Transaction Fee and taxes $22.45
Dr. Michelle Richards narrates CDs containing affirmations, guided imagery, relaxation techniques, & Biblical affirmations. Texas residents payment include the 8% sales tax. Official CD Release Date or After Compact Disk - $19.99 with Paypal Service Transaction Fee Dr. Michelle Richards narrates CDs containing affirmations, guided imagery, relaxation techniques, & Biblical affirmations.
|  | Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include: - Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
How do I register a complaint?
According to Texas Administrative Code RULE 681.48 regarding Consumer Information, an individual who wishes to file a complaint against a Licensed professional Counselor may write to:
Complaints Management and Investigative Section
P.O. Box 141369
Austin, Texas 78714-1369
or call 1-800-942-5540
Confidentiality: Internet Security Internet security is an issue that has been addressed by AbuseConsultants.com in a variety of ways. It is not possible to guarantee absolute perfect internet security just like counselors cannot absolutely guarantee against break-in’s at their offices. However, there are many ways to secure online information so that “information theft” becomes extremely difficult and nearly impossible. At AbuseConsultants.com, we have addressed internet security by using the following precautions:  Our servers and work stations are behind modern firewall technology.
A firewall prevents outside sources from seeing the information behind the firewall. The only connections that can be established through the firewall to our computers are those specifically allowed by our administrators. This means that uninvited and / or unknown third parties cannot get into our work stations.
All e-commerce / payment transactions and payment pages are secured with 128-bit encryption. Encryption scrambles the message sent from one computer until it reaches its destination computer.
The actual payment transactions occur on locked and secure financial websites separate from AbuseConsultants.com – via a bank merchant account or PayPal.
AbuseConsultants.com does not have record of your financial information as the actual transactions occur with these external sources.
The web pages of this site are not encrypted because they are “public information.” (However, copyrights will be enforced.) Secure areas of the site are password protected and may also be encrypted or database generated. All of the clinical e-mail consultation requests are written and composed using the forms on our website behind our security protections. These forms are generated by our own server and delivered directly to the clinical director. This means that clients are not using third party e-mail programs such as Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, Juno, etc. We cannot guarantee confidentiality of such companies, and using those programs may add risk to confidentiality.
Therefore, by using only OUR web forms on THIS site to compose confidential e-mails, AbuseConsultants.com can ensure a higher level of confidentiality and internet security.
The medical records and clinical information for AbuseConsultants.com are kept on servers that are not directly connected to the website. Because there is no connection with the website, this information is basically impossible to access from the Internet. This information is also behind firewall technologyConfidentiality: Internet Security Internet security is an issue that has been addressed by AbuseConsultants.com in a variety of ways. It is not possible to guarantee absolute perfect internet security just like counselors cannot absolutely guarantee against break-in’s at their offices. However, there are many ways to secure online information so that “information theft” becomes extremely difficult and nearly impossible. At AbuseConsultants.com, we have addressed internet security by using the following precautions: Our servers and work stations are behind modern firewall technology. A firewall prevents outside sources from seeing the information behind the firewall. The only connections that can be established through the firewall to our computers are those specifically allowed by our administrators. This means that uninvited and / or unknown third parties cannot get into our work stations.
All e-commerce / payment transactions and payment pages are secured with 128-bit encryption. Encryption scrambles the message sent from one computer until it reaches its destination computer.
The actual payment transactions occur on locked and secure financial websites separate from AbuseConsultants.com – via a bank merchant account or PayPal.
AbuseConsultants.com does not have record of your financial information as the actual transactions occur with these external sources.
The web pages of this site are not encrypted because they are “public information.” (However, copyrights will be enforced.) Secure areas of the site are password protected and may also be encrypted or database generated. All of the clinical e-mail consultation requests are written and composed using the forms on our website behind our security protections. These forms are generated by our own server and delivered directly to the clinical director. This means that clients are not using third party e-mail programs such as Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, Juno, etc. We cannot guarantee confidentiality of such companies, and using those programs may add risk to confidentiality.
Therefore, by using only OUR web forms on THIS site to compose confidential e-mails, AbuseConsultants.com can ensure a higher level of confidentiality and internet security.
The medical records and clinical information for AbuseConsultants.com are kept on servers that are not directly connected to the website. Because there is no connection with the website, this information is basically impossible to access from the Internet. This information is also behind firewall technologyConfidentiality: Internet Security Internet security is an issue that has been addressed by AbuseConsultants.com in a variety of ways. It is not possible to guarantee absolute perfect internet security just like counselors cannot absolutely guarantee against break-in’s at their offices. However, there are many ways to secure online information so that “information theft” becomes extremely difficult and nearly impossible. At AbuseConsultants.com, we have addressed internet security by using the following precautions: Our servers and work stations are behind modern firewall technology. A firewall prevents outside sources from seeing the information behind the firewall. The only connections that can be established through the firewall to our computers are those specifically allowed by our administrators. This means that uninvited and / or unknown third parties cannot get into our work stations.
All e-commerce / payment transactions and payment pages are secured with 128-bit encryption. Encryption scrambles the message sent from one computer until it reaches its destination computer.
The actual payment transactions occur on locked and secure financial websites separate from AbuseConsultants.com – via a bank merchant account or PayPal.
AbuseConsultants.com does not have record of your financial information as the actual transactions occur with these external sources.
The web pages of this site are not encrypted because they are “public information.” (However, copyrights will be enforced.) Secure areas of the site are password protected and may also be encrypted or database generated. All of the clinical e-mail consultation requests are written and composed using the forms on our website behind our security protections. These forms are generated by our own server and delivered directly to the clinical director. This means that clients are not using third party e-mail programs such as Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, Juno, etc. We cannot guarantee confidentiality of such companies, and using those programs may add risk to confidentiality.
Therefore, by using only OUR web forms on THIS site to compose confidential e-mails, AbuseConsultants.com can ensure a higher level of confidentiality and internet security.
The medical records and clinical information for AbuseConsultants.com are kept on servers that are not directly connected to the website. Because there is no connection with the website, this information is basically impossible to access from the Internet. This information is also behind firewall technology
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