What's Going On?

You feel confused and frustrated.  You've been taught to think and believe that who you are and who you love is wrong and unacceptable.  You're not certain who is an ally. You're tired of hiding who you are and not feeling fulfilled in your relationships. You're afraid of being rejected by your family and friends based on your sexual orientation or gender identity. You're avoiding family gatherings and social interactions. You want to come out and are uncertain about how to do this. You may be questioning your beliefs; exploring alternative practices.

You've noticed your anxiety has increased and find it difficult to get little things accomplished . Some days's it's hard to get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other. Your sleep is suffering; waking up often, unable to sleep,  difficulty falling asleep or tossing and turning all night. You're unable to focus on anything and you're not completing your To-DO List. You've felt stuck and uncertain as to what or where to go. You've lost interest in what you used to enjoy. You feel lonely. You're constantly asking "why?" or "why do bad things seem to always happen to me?”.

A life of recovery is something you've dreamed and thought about over and over. It's hard to admit alcohol and substances have become a problem. You want to continue to hide. You're worried you could lose your job, your status in the community and you're family. You've thought about meetings, and they seem scary and too public. Other people will know you have a problem.  You have tried to be clean and sober and you are learning relapse is part of recovery.

Numbing has become a way of coping with all of life's stressors.  Numbing as become a way of life for many.  Binge-watching TV, working out, working, having sex, shopping, volunteering, cleaning, dieting-any of these things can keep you from feeling pain for a while.  Over time, these things make you less able to connect to things that matter-your family, your friends and yourself-your own heart. They isolate you.

It's difficult to find acceptance when you are surrounded by opinions from friends, family, co-workers, ect. Its easy to feel overwhelmed and consumed by expectations. You've created this reputation of being dependable, the "Yes" Person, competent, capable, and responsible. You hate disappointing people.

You think if you try hard enough if you manage your time well enough, if you're selfless enough, prayerful enough, you'll never disappoint. If you're hardworking and responsible, you'll be worthy, loved, and happy. You're exhausted, resentful, anxious, disconnected and your health is suffering.

As human beings functioning in a fast-paced culture, we often neglect to take time for ourselves. When we negelct ourselves, we neglect our relationships and health. This has a ripple effect with our children.

What Makes Us Your Choice

You've tried traditional talk therapy before and/or maybe you're just turned off by what you've heard about talk therapy. You're concerned with your mind, body, and spirit connection.  You know there are alternatives that may help you feel less sad/depressed, less anxious, less frustrated in life; you're just not sure what or where to look. You need additional guidance and exploration to feel better and self-actualize.

You really want to find the solution and skills which work for you.

At Waves Counseling Services, LLC, we use a Holistic Approach and incorporate expressive arts, play, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy approaches, sand tray, and other modalities to help You engage and be successful.  We know it's difficult to open up, trust, be vulnerable and share our deepest, and sometimes (what we believe to be) shameful secreets, thoughts and feelings.

Adults who are seen at Waves Counseling Services, will...

Grow and Develop

Be Affirmed and Referred to in Chosen Pronouns

Create and Express

Improve Decision Making

Be Healthier

Be Gently Challenged

Have a Safe and Non-Judgmental Space

Be Seen, Heard and Felt

Improve Self-Worth

Be Empowered

Explore who You are and who YOU want to BE

HEAL

First Session

Your confidentiality is protected and requires signed releases to anyone.  During the first session, we will gather history and present concerns which will provide us (therapists) with the best way to begin helping you FEEL BETTER.   This typically takes an 1-1.5hrs.

The Process

Your subsequent sessions are typically 45-55 minutes in length.  You will have the opportunity to schedule re-occurring appointments. We know consistency is best.  It takes time to build a safe and trusting relationship with your therapist.

Often times, things get worse before they get better.  This is because of the underlying beliefs, thoughts, feelings and experiences have been pushed down, avoided and put behind a wall.  Therapy brings these things to the surface.

Therapy helps our brain to sort and organize information.  Often times, we didn't have the coping skills or ways to express those hard things from child-hood, and adulthood.  As a result, our brain's natural protection disorganizes the information.  You may find, as you start working hard in therapy, you want to avoid and/or stop coming.  This is normal and natural.  We encourage you to discuss this with your therapist, as your therapist will be able to respond best to the pace needed.

Often times people begin feeling beetter and think they no longer need therapy.  It's important to remember therapy is like medicine.  It's job is to help you feel better and stay better.  Stopping therapy pre-maturely can result in your symptoms returning and or worsening.  It's important to discuss ending therapy with your therapist.

When it is time for therapy to close, your therapist and you will most likely decrease the recommended time you visit.

Ending 

Many people have difficulty ending therapy because it is so helpful and provides the safe space needed.  Know that when it's time to stop coming to therapy, it is not an end of a relationship.  Should you need to return in the future, WE will be HERE.