Quest Counseling

Virtual visits, (Telehealth), can make counseling available when you are not able to make it to the office. Sickness, bad weather, lack of childcare and difficult schedules could be accommodated by virtual visits. Please contact me for details if this sounds like a solution for you.

Transitions and change is inevitable and moving from one life stage to another is challenging. Some transitions can be managed gracefully while others may make you feel like the world has been turned upside down. Difficult life changes include:

Counseling can help with transitioning smoothly by building resilience, confidence, and willingness to explore new opportunities.

“There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” —C.S. Lewis

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a type of therapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.  During EMDR, negative beliefs about yourself, as well as beliefs about the world, are identified, then reprocessed into more effective ways of thinking. Thoughts like “I’m not good enough” and “I don’t matter” limit your ability to be fully engaged and effective in your own life and relationships. Changing those thoughts can help you build new hope that things can be different.

Everyone experiences an occasional blue mood; but feeling depressed is a more pervasive experience of repetitive negative thinking, a bleak outlook, and lack of energy. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People  cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better.

Some Common Symptoms of Depression are:

If you feel sad and it isn’t going away, talk with someone who will help you replace negative thinking patterns, build hope and gain a feeling of empowerment.

“You’ve seen my descent, now watch my rising” —Rumi

Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be.

Tips for Coping With Grief

• Accept Help
• Share Your Feelings
• Take Good Care of Yourself
• Seek Professional Grief Counseling

If you are experiencing a significant or prolonged reaction to loss consider reaching out for help.

“Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.”

― Leo Tolstoy

Occasionally worrying about problems is unavoidable, but when worry becomes pervasive and affects major life areas it is likely that worry has become an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

Can’t control worrying

Loss of concentration

Feeling restless or on edge

Irritability or anger

Feeling like something awful might happen

Changing thought patterns, learning relaxation skills, and talking with someone who can help identify sources of anxiety are effective ways to manage constant worry, fear and panic.

No longer forward nor behind I look in hope and fear; But grateful take the good I find, The best of now and here.
— John G. Whittier

Being LGBTQ Is not a mental disorder, but the stigma that LGBTQ individuals experience can lead to serious mental health concerns:

• Increase in suicide rates
• Increase in substance use
• Increases in mood and anxiety disorders

LGBTQ affirming therapy addresses the effects of stigma and above all, nurtures an integrated sense of self.

We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference. Let’s live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”–George Takei

If you have experience trauma you may be struggling with upsetting emotions, frightening memories, or a sense of constant danger. When bad things happen it can take a while to move past the pain and feel safe again.

The lasting effects of trauma include:

It’s been a long time and you’re not feeling any better

You’re having troubles functioning at home or work

You’re having terrifying memories, nightmares or flashbacks

You’re having a difficult time connecting with others

You’re experiencing suicidal thinking

You’re avoiding things that remind you of the past

Healing from traumatic events will change your life and realize your own strengths and resiliency. Counseling will help you apply those strengths to new goals and a sense of purpose.

“You are so much more than what has been done to you” — Karen Salmansohn

Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life, a way of being responsible for your life, a way of doing something for yourself. By using mindfulness you learn how to slow down, to recognize the warning signs of stress and to stay focused and relaxed. Some of the benefits of learning mindfulness are:

More balance

Increased clarity

Deeper understanding of emotions and thoughts

More  awareness

Less suffering

More calm and contentment

Greater appreciation of life

Life is full of stressful events such as difficult relationships, demanding work, health problems, money issues, and too much to do in too little time. When the level of stress exceeds your ability to cope you will benefit from counseling combined with mindfulness training.

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” —Jon Kabat Zinn

You can know that your relationship needs rescuing when…

You aren’t talking

You’re always talking, but it is negative

You keep secrets

You feel that everything would be better if your partner would just change

You and your partner lead separate lives

You can’t trust

Every relationship has a glitch now and then, even arguments that carry over for days, but sometimes differing views feel impossible to resolve.  Working together with a counselor is an effective way to find common ground while developing positive communication skills, mutual respect, and admiration. Don’t wait to save what matters most.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
– Lao Tzu