BENEFITS OF COUNSELING:

● Improved communication and interpersonal skills ● Greater self-acceptance and self-esteem ● Ability to change harmful behaviors/habits ● Learning how to express emotions in a healthy way ● Decision making skills ● Assistance in addressing depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions ● Improved conflict resolution skills ● Stress relief ● Trauma resolution ● Boundary work

TYPES OF THERAPY MOST OFTEN USED:

Cognitive Behavior Therapy- CBT is a common type of talk therapy. It examines the relationship between situation, mindset, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical reactions. Through CBT, you learn how to identify and distinguish between negative and positive thoughts. You work on changing the way you think through challenging and comparing your thoughts. CBT works well for both anxiety and depression.

Exposure Response Prevention- ERP is a form of CBT which involves exposing yourself to the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make you anxious. The purpose is to intentionally expose yourself to those things which make you feel anxious. The anxiety then loses the power it has over you. ERP is used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

FORMS OF COUNSELING:

Individual counseling: One-on-one counseling focusing on an individual’s current needs or worries about things in the near future. It allows the individual to explore various emotions, beliefs and things from their past. Through this the individual learns to better understand themselves, work on problem-solving, and work toward change.

Family counseling: This can take the form of couples counseling or counseling between parents and their children. Couples and families work to improve communication and learn how to resolve conflict. Family therapy is beneficial for any family coping with grief, or going through situations of stress, anger and conflict. This process brings families closer together and allows them to work together building coping skills.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT MY FIRST SESSION?

Your first session will be more of an information gathering session. The session will start first by addressing the “business” aspects of the counseling process. We will go over confidentiality. I will ask questions regarding symptoms, developmental history and family history. We will set goals based on the information collected. If you are a parent bringing your child in for counseling, the first session may only be with the parent collecting information. If you are a parent bringing in an adolescent/teen, I will spend the first portion of the session with the parent collecting information, and then the second portion of the session building rapport with your adolescent/teen.

AVAILABILITY:

My office is open Monday thru Friday. The hours vary in order to accommodate clients needing early appointments as well as those needing evening appointments.

NUMBER OF SESSIONS:

The number of sessions vary based on need. During your first session, goals will be set to assure you are getting what you need out of the counseling process.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING:

Parking is available in the front of the building. Alicia Howe Counseling shares a building with Krick Dentistry and Washington Wellness Center. You will enter the main door of the building and walk straight down the long hallway towards the green couch and painting. My office is at the end of the hall. You will see my name on the door letting you know you reached the right place!

CONFIDENTIALITY:

I take your confidentiality very seriously, and this will be discussed at your first session.

PRICE AND PAYMENT:

For those who chose not to use insurance, I offer a self pay options. Details available upon request.

ACCEPTED INSURANCE:

-Blue Cross Blue Shield-

-United Health Care-

-United Health Care CAT-

-Cigna-

-Health Alliance-

-Tricare-Select out of network-

-UMR-

-OSF Direct Access Network-

Clients will sign a credit card authorization form. Payment is due at the end of each session. Our office will help in the insurance verification process so clients know what is due at the time of their first session.

Washington Wellness Center is not accepting patients for counseling services at this time. Currently, we have a full work schedule and will not be able to accommodate any additional patients. Thank you for the opportunity.

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