Gabbi Pendleton

Our Christian 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 therapy beneficial to managing personal growth, improving interpersonal relationships, and addressing family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Our therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.

While 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 your 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

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. Even though you may have successfully navigated through previous difficulties you many now find you need extra support. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; in fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand. This is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting your position 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 the challenges you face.

Each person’s therapy experience will be slightly different based on the presenting issue and goals you have for therapy. Generally, you can expect your therapist to ask questions about the current events occurring in your life that has led you to seek therapy and any personal history relevant to the presenting problem. Depending on your specific needs, the therapy process may be short with 6 to 8 sessions, or longer with 12 to 16 sessions as you work toward reaching your therapeutic goals. Typically, we see progress occur at a faster pace when clients schedule weekly sessions with their therapist. Additionally, you can expect your therapist to ask you to do things outside the weekly session that may involve reading a pertinent book, journaling about specific topics, reflecting on certain behaviors, and taking specific steps to reach your goals.

Because people have different issues and goals for their therapy, each person's therapy will differ depending on the individual. Generally, you can expect to discuss the events currently happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, or longer-term to address more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions (usually weekly) with your therapist.

You will get better results from therapy when you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in therapy back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest things you can do outside of therapy to support your process, such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals.

We meet every individual, couple, & family where they are and connect them with a Christian-based, professionally trained therapist to begin the healing journey. While we provide professional counseling within a Christ-centered framework, there is no requirement for clients to be associated with any faith based organization, and clients direct how much, if any, spiritual integration is part of their therapy process.

There may be times when your therapist may recommend a medical evaluation. However, we believe therapy can oftentimes address the root causes and may resolve the issues of anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and trauma. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what is best for you. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Some of our counselors are contracted with Aetna and Cigna Insurance. If you decide to see a counselor who is out of network, upon request we will provide a superbill which will include a diagnosis for you to submit to your insurance company as a service for you.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components of the client/psychotherapist relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter, usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of his or her confidential disclosure agreement (called "Informed Consent"), and you can expect what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.

Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, naturopath, attorney). By law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources, or if the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions to this are noted below.

• If child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse is suspected, the therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, the therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, the therapist will make every effort to enlist the client's cooperation to ensure his/her safety. If they do not cooperate, the therapist will take further measures, provided by law and not requiring the client's permission, to ensure the client's safety.