Counseling Services

Choosing a therapist is a significant decision, and I understand the importance of finding the right fit.

I don’t lie or bullshit my clients; we use our time to get therapeutic work done. My goal is to always build an authentic relationship with each of my clients, ensuring that you feel understood, respected, and valued throughout our work together. I don’t use cliché messaging, and I’m never going to be handing you a cookie-cutter worksheet. I believe in challenging my clients, because I trust them and what they can do.

I bring warmth and compassion into my therapy, creating a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. My goal is to make the idea of going to therapy to be comfortable—or maybe even a little healthy anxiety for feeling ready to face some deep truths.

I also always keep the broader societal factors that impact mental health and well-being. I recognize the importance of addressing issues such as privilege, marginalization, stigma, and systemic barriers within the therapeutic process. Context is important, and we need to name societal/institutional barriers to better understand how to thrive in the face of adversity.

Ultimately, my goal as your therapist is to empower you to be you. To fearlessly find, love, and live within your truth.

Depression sucks. Let's start with that. It can be a debilitating, miserable experience. First know, it doesn't mean a person is broken, and there are well-understood treatments for depression.

For addressing depression, each client is different. Depression can be apathy, often withdrawal, under sleeping or over sleeping. I strive to create a place clients feel safe and able to explore their experience seriously.

From there, I use evidence-based modalities, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, to help clients identify, challenge, and change distressing patterns and beliefs behind their depression. It’s often a process of helping clients find joy in themselves and the fascinating world around us.

Anxiety can show up in many ways. It can be just a nagging thought, that takes a million daily forms. It can manifest in the body, as feeling jittery, unsettled, nauseous, and/or uncomfortable. It's often an experience a person has had for so long, that they've found incredible ways to cope.

For my approach to anxiety, I use evidence-based modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and solution-focused brief therapy, to help clients identify, challenge, and change those experiences, patterns, and beliefs that get in the way. We can look at assumptions, origins, and consequences.

Anxiety isn't a thing that gets fixed or stopped... because it's an awesome thing. If there's a tiger in the bushes, I want the superpowers anxiety gives me. But if I think every bush has a tiger in it, then I would feel in overdrive all the time. We work on having the body and the mind create comfort with the difference.

First is developing acknowledgement and readiness for treatment. When talking about trauma, we always go at a speed that feels safe. My goal is to provide support, presence, and start the process of healing.

I approach trauma with compassion and evidence-based methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices. These methods help clients process their trauma, reduce symptoms, and build resilience.

We work on understanding and integrating the traumatic experiences, fostering healing, and building empowerment.

For communication issues in couples, I prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment where partners feel comfortable expressing themselves openly and honestly. We need to talk about what hasn't been talked about.

I use guided discussions, role-playing exercises, pattern recognition, mediation, and active listening techniques to help couples identify communication patterns, understand each other's perspectives, and develop healthier ways of expressing their needs and concerns.

Often, couples have such good intentions, but something about their patterns of communication is consistently causing friction. I teach practical communication skills like effective listening, assertiveness, and conflict resolution strategies. We work on creating empathy, validation, and mutual respect.

Couples often get into such a messy spiral. One issue is brought up and then we're totally lost in a flood of "yeah, well you didnt..."

Let's make the problem the problem, talk about it, and find some solutions.

I create a safe and non-judgmental space where both partners can openly express their thoughts and feelings about the conflicts they're facing. For some couples, the grudges are loud and overwhelming; for others, the frustrations are buried and unvoiced.

We work with guided discussions and active listening techniques to identify underlying issues, understand each other's perspectives, and work towards finding mutually acceptable solutions. I teach conflict resolution skills such as productive communication, problem-solving strategies, and compromise techniques. We work to find unique and natural ways of feeling like your conflicts actually get addressed and resolved.

When treating infidelity, I often see couples at a point of crisis. This can be such a turning point. First, we work to turn down the temperature, hear your needs, and make decisions.

When addressing infidelity or betrayal, we work on fostering open communication, rebuilding trust, and healing from the pain. It's important to eventually explore and understanding any underlying issues or causes. I provide support and guidance for processing emotions and possibly rebuilding the relationship.

Through evidence-based techniques, unbiased approaches, and a compassionate, non-judgmental stance, I aim to help couples navigate such a challenging time and move forward towards a new, healthier form of their relationship.

The short answer is: I don't know; it's not for me to decide.

My goal isn't: Every relationship must stay together. My goal is: Every relationship needs to find its true self.

While counseling can be incredibly helpful for couples facing challenges in their relationship, it's important to understand that there are no guarantees. The outcome of counseling depends on a number of factors, including the willingness of both partners to actively participate in the process, their commitment to making positive changes, and the nature of the issues they're facing.

Counseling is a space to finally address underlying issues, improve communication, and develop healthier relationship dynamics. It requires effort, consistency, and openness from partners to foster understanding and change.

It's also important to acknowledge that some relationships may not be the right fit, and counseling can provide a supportive space for couples to explore their options, make informed decisions , and move forward in healthy, kind ways.

Ultimately, we strive toward Truth within the relationship. While I can't guarantee that a relationship will stay together, I can provide couples with the tools and support they need to navigate what comes next.

I understand the cost of healthcare can be steep. As a licensed professional clinical counselor with specialized training and extensive experience, my expertise is reflected in the pricing structure. Each session is tailored to your unique needs and goals, ensuring that you receive personalized care and support.

Additionally, therapy is an investment in your well-being, offering invaluable guidance, support, and resources to navigate life's challenges. While the upfront cost may seem significant, the long-term benefits of therapy can be transformative.

I also try to make my services as accessible and inclusive as possible, offering sliding scale fees for those facing financial constraints. If cost remains a concern, I encourage you to reach out so we can discuss potential options for a solution that works for you.

Unfortunately, at this time I’ve decided not to accept insurance for several reasons.

Sadly, insurance plans are constructed around the model of mental health defined as illness. Insurance requires a diagnosis to be reported, allows untrained insurance providers to dictate the course of treatment, and risks privacy & confidentiality. I've found the insurance process to be antithetical to the requirements of counseling, recovery, and growth.

Insurance companies often create limitations on the types of therapy covered, session frequency, and confidentiality concerns. By operating independently, I can offer a more personalized and flexible approach tailored to your unique needs and preferences.

In addition, receiving a diagnosis for a mental or emotional disorder may affect you later if you do apply for life or other types of insurance and your information may be entered into a Medical Information Data Bank that is available to other insurance companies.

I do offer sliding scale fees and flexible payment options to accommodate different financial situations. My priority is to make therapy accessible and affordable for those seeking support, and I'm committed to working with you to find ways that fits your budget.

Avalon Counseling LLC is committed to ensuring that its services are accessible to a wide range of individuals, regardless of their financial circumstances. To support this commitment, I offer a Sliding Scale Fee Option designed to make counseling services more affordable and accessible to those who may be facing financial constraints.

The Sliding Scale Fee is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as income, household size, and other relevant financial information. The Sliding Scale Fee Option is available to all clients, and I encourage anyone who believes they may benefit from this option to inquire about it. I aim to set fees that are fair and reasonable, taking into account each client's unique financial situation. Any determined Sliding Scale Fees are reconsidered on a 3-month basis.

Avalon Counseling LLC is dedicated to serving a diverse range of clients and accommodating their unique financial circumstances. If you have any questions or require further information regarding the Sliding Scale Fee Option, please do not hesitate to reach out.