Services provided by Champagne Counseling, PLLC
In treating any concern, the first step is identifying how signs and symptoms manifest themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Understanding your discomfort opens the door to begin healing and clarifies where change can be of the most value.
Mood challenges such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder
Anxiety
We will explore triggers that increase your distress and work together to identify and implement strategies that help you consistently manage your symptoms. When you learn to recognize how anxiety builds and implement effective strategies to reduce your anxiety you feel more calm and in control.
Depression: Depression is not sadness or grief.
We will identify and implement mood enhancing behaviors and therapeutic techniques such as CBT, EMDR, mindfulness and self-esteem building exercises to improve mood. In treating depression it is important to take a look at relationships, family of origin issues, and any series of events that may have preceded feeling depressed. Often there are life experiences that exacerbate depression. There is value in understanding the source or onset of depression to effectively treat symptoms and improve a sense of well-being.
Other areas of challenge
Addiction
Addiction to substances is a physical, mental, emotional disease that needs to be addressed in an honest straightforward manner. We will investigate the extent of your challenges with substances and develop a collaborative plan to accomplish your personal goals. Focusing on how to improve your quality of life can be a strong motivator. I have many years of experience working with clients struggling with a variety of addictions and have been privileged to walk the path of recovery with many brave souls. The treatment of addiction at Champagne Counseling is based in 12-step recovery principles.
Domestic Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence
We work with individuals that have been or are being abusive to their loved ones. Abuse comes in many forms and is not limited to physical violence. Anything that intimidates, frightens, makes someone do something they do not want to do or prevents them from doing something they want to do can be abusive. Things like name calling, threatening and restricting someone’s freedom are often frightening. Being abusive is a learned behavior. We will work together to learn that trying to control another person through abusive behavior is counterproductive. Learning to control yourself is empowering, improves a positive sense of self, and promotes much healthier relationships.
Grief and loss
Everyone experiences loss every day. Even if it is only that the sun has set and the day is over. Often society only associates grief and loss with the death of a loved one. It is also important to recognize that there are many other kinds of losses in life. Some of the losses experienced regularly are the loss of a career, health, freedom, friends, pets, or a sense of control. Everyone can make their own list. Most profound may be the loss of peace of mind. When we experience feelings of loss, we need to be patient with ourselves. Society does not always accept that everyone grieves at their own pace.
To deal with grief and loss issues, we will gently explore the feelings associated with your losses, how to Honor those losses and how to take care of yourself while you grieve. We will also acknowledge that there are some types of loss that we never get over, we learn to live with. We learn that feelings of sadness when grieving come in waves. Sometimes they are small and easily managed, and sometimes they feel overwhelming. When we are able to practice mindfulness and be tender with ourselves, we can come to a place of acceptance and peace.