Knowing when you need help from a professional counselor doesn't come natually to most people. Identifying and following through with professional help early on is an important step to the fullest recovery possible. We have created some guidelines that should help you in identifying factors in your life that may trigger the need for a counselor.

Unsure how to deal with emotions related to depression, anxiety or anger?
Living a life full of depression, anxiety or anger can lead you down a difficult path. You might feel hopeless or irritable while consumed with excessive crying. The good news is these feelings are treatable.

Whether or not these feelings are hereditary or related to a chemical component in your brain, counseling is an essential part to overcoming depression, anxiety and/or anger. In the counseling relationship, you will discover how to change your thought process, become more assertive and aware of yourself and your actions and find the right solution to overcoming these feelings of helplessness. Through therapy we will be able to focus on how your self-talk affects how you think and behave.

When children deal with anger, the counseling relationship can help. We will discover how anger enters the body and how one can deal with this feeling. Once these warning signs are discussed, we can focus on strategies to deal with anger. Through the counseling relationship, we will be able to create several visual reminders of how to deal with anger. This can be done through an anger meter/stop sign, social story or other visual aide. The best way to help your child handle anger is to talk with them during a calm moment and discuss what anger feels like, the strategies to deal with anger and practice using these strategies on a consistent basis. At home and school, portraying visual reminders and practicing through role-plays can also prove to be beneficial. The more practice they get the better equipped they will be to use their strategies in dealing with angry feelings.

Difficulty getting along with others?
Whether you are having difficulty getting along with your spouse or your child can’t get along with you or others around them, counseling can help. Part of the reason people have a difficult time getting along with others is because they might need some help with this particular social skill. It could be that they always had difficulties with others during childhood, and never felt as though they truly learned how to deal with different personalities. Or maybe they feel different themselves and act as an outsider. Even if you are introverted and feel awkward around people, learning how to get along with others is a skill. It takes practice. During the counseling relationship we will discover whom you have difficulties with and the reasons why. It could be that you need to practice setting boundaries, be more assertive or learn how to handle personalities different from your own.

Looking to make significant changes in your life?
We are all constantly changing and growing as individuals. Sometimes we hit a roadblock where we know we need to make some changes but do not know how to do it. The counseling relationship will provide you with the support needed to make the changes you see fit for you or your child’s life. The first step in making change is deciding on life change that is realistic. Many times people fail to make a change only because they haven't been specific enough about what they were trying to change. After you decide on what needs to be changed, we will work together to set reasonable goals in order to achieve necessary change.

Feelings of inadequacy towards self?
We all have those days where we don’t want to get out of bed. Maybe there is a lack of motivation or a feeling of inadequacy toward self. If you or your child feels this way on a regular basis, it is time to seek professional help. Through the counseling relationship we will discover where these feelings come from and work towards "re-training" your brain to think in a more positive manner. We will practice what to say or do when you start to feel bad about yourself. By focusing on changing your negative "self-talk" to positive, we will be able to change how you think and behave. Soon after this process, you will start to feel better about yourself.