FAQs
Taking the mystery out of the counseling process.
Where are you located?
PORTLAND ST., STE. A
CELINA, OH 45822.
We’re located inside Spiritus Dei Wellness Center. We’re at the intersection of St. Rte. 29 and Logan St. on the west end of town near Celina Elementary School and the BMV.
Do you offer telehealth?
YES.
In-office sessions allow for the transfer of energy and emotion. However, an office visit is not always possible or convenient. Telehealth is a great option.
What are your hours?
BY APPOINTMENT.
We do have after-school and evening hours available.
Is the office accessible?
YES.
The office is ADA compliant.
What is the parking situation?
DEDICATED PARKING LOT.
You won’t need to worry about your car being side-swiped by parking on a narrow street. Enjoy our dedicated parking lot.
Can I come early?
YES.
We are an oasis in the desert of your busy life. Come in, relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and read a book.
How often do I come?
IT’S UP TO YOU.
Your counselor will make a recommendation, but ultimately it is up to you. Once, twice, and four times per month are the most common schedules.
How long is a session?
TYPICALLY 50 MINUTES.
The first session is usually 50-90 minutes. Subsequent sessions are typically 50 minutes.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
YES, WITHIN 24 HOURS.
You are welcome to cancel or reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment without penalty.
If your appointment is canceled or rescheduled within 24 hours of your appointment, the full fee will be charged.
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How do I get started?
CALL (567) 644-8186 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
Let’s chat to see if we are a good fit! Call (567) 644-8186 to learn more or schedule your first appointment here.
What type of clients do you see?
MEN. WOMEN. TEENS. COUPLES. FAMILES.
We see men, women, and teens (ages 13+) in individual therapy. Couples, families, and others in need of relationship counseling are welecome.
Why choose You?
KNOWLEDGE. COMPASSION. EXPERIENCE.
Master’s level mental health counselors are different from coaches and social workers. I have been trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders. I hold the LPCC-S license with the state of Ohio. I have experienced trauma that results in compassion and insight.
Can I see someone TODAY?
WE DO NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES.
For immediate help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you need to speak with someone for support, please call 988.
Do men really go to therapy?
ABSOLUTELY!
Men are people, too! Counseling can be helpful to men. My style tends to be more analytical than touchy-feely, so you might find it fun!
Do you see couples?
YES.
Romantic relationships can be complicated. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and its importance in society. I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples.
Do you specialize in counseling Catholics?
YES.
I am a practicing Catholic, and I have taken additional coursework in Theology of the Body and Catholic Sexual Ethics. My approach is to bring spirituality into the counseling session.
Do you see faiths other than Catholics?
YES.
People of all faiths and no faith are welcome. Whether we discuss matters of religion and spirituality is ultimately up to you.
Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?
YES.
I do not discriminate based on sex, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or gender expression. It is up to you whether or not this is an issue in counseling. The LGBTQIA+ community is not a specialty of mine, but I don’t mind learning from my clients! While I may not agree with the ideology of a specific group, I do respect the experiences of my clients.
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Will you try to change my sexual orientation?
NO.
Conversion therapy is not permitted or ethical. However, if you are struggling to understand your sexual orientation or want to figure out how to live with same-sex attraction, those are appropriate topics for counseling.
Can you help with gender dysphoria?
YES.
I can help, but this is not a specialty of mine.
Can you help with substance abuse and addiction?
NO.
While mental health counselors are allowed to diagnose and treat substance use disorders, I am not specialized in this area. If this is your main concern, I would recommend an addictions counselor.
Can you help with recent trauma?
YES.
I hold a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies. We’ll use trauma-focused CBT and other modalities to help you overcome a traumatic event.
Do you help with past childhood trauma?
YES. ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA CAN BE TREATED.
Painful childhood experiences can result in dysfunctional ways of interacting with the world as an adult. We can explore and correct for difficult childhood experiences.
Do I have to tell you everything?
NO.
I do not need to know every gritty detail in order to help you. You are free to disclose as much or as little as you feel is helpful to you.
Is our work confidential?
YES.
We take care to keep your records confidential. It is especially important in small-town, USA, to be discreet. If we meet in public, I will likely not acknowledge you. Feel free to say, “Hi,” or pretend you don’t know me.
How are mental health counselors different?
SUBJECT AND YEARS OF EDUCATION. ABILITY TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY. OVERSEEN BY THE STATE OF OHIO.
COUNSELORS ARE NOT ALL EQUALLY TRAINED.
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor holds at least a master’s degree in mental health counseling. The area of concentration in college is on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. The licensure by the state of Ohio is LPC (licensed professional counselor) or LPCC (licensed professional clinical counselor). LPCs require supervision in order to conduct their work as a conselor. LPCCs do not.
You will notice there are different “letters” associated with counseling, such as LPC, LPCC, LSW, LISW, LCDC, LICDC. This can be confusing. These letters indicate the focus and number of years of higher education a person has undergone and whether a counselor is required to be supervised.
‘PC’ tells you that the person’s college coursework was focused on mental health counseling.
‘SW’ indicates the coursework was focused on social work.
‘CDC’ tells you that the coursework was focused on chemical dependency counseling.
Fewer letters probably mean that a person requires supervision.
These licensures are overseen by the state.
’PsyD’ or ‘PhD’ may indicate that someone is a psychologist. Clinical psychologists provide counseling and testing.
’MD, PhD’ may indicate that someone is a psychiatrist. This is a medical doctor who specializes in the physiology of the brain and who can prescribe medication. They typically do not provide counseling.
LIFE COACHING & NEW AGE GUIDES: Life coaches and new age spiritual guides are cropping up in the counseling space. Training may be minimal (weeks or months), there may be no licensure and no governing body. Your values may be compromised by these techniques, and proper training for your issue may not have been acquired.
PLEASE RESEARCH YOUR COUNSELING PROFESSIONAL.
We do not claim this information to be complete or accurate.
Do you prescribe medication?
NO.
Counselors are not permitted to prescribe medication. However, we do ask about symptoms and medication effectiveness. We can coordinate care with your physician.
How does counseling work?
THOUGHTS. FEELINGS. BEHAVIORS. INSIGHT.
Ultimately, counseling is about change. We can change how we approach life by altering our beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These changes, in turn, are aimed at reducing stress and getting back to a state of equilibrium.
Do people get better?
YES, OFTEN.
Counseling is a process to regain equilibrium. It requires change. Identifying and implementing the change that will relieve symptoms can take time, especially if change is slow and the habits are deeply entrenched.
Do you use a couch?
YOU’RE WELCOME TO RECLINE, BUT NOT REQUIRED.
Most people enjoy a seated position, but the leather loveseat does recline for your comfort. Deep psychotherapy/trauma work sometimes works better in a reclined position. What is most important is your comfort level.
Is your furniture comfortable?
WE THINK SO!
We’ve chosen furniture with you in mind. Relax in our leather love seat – with the option to recline!
Or rock and swivel in the chair. We hope you’ll be comfortable.
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Do people cry in therapy?
SOMETIMES.
Work in therapy engages both the logic-center and the emotion-center of the brain. Sometimes, emotional work does produce tears. This release of emotion is usually a sign of progress.
Do men cry, too?
YES.
Men are people, too! When you engage the emotion-center of the brain during therapy, emotions may come to the surface. This expression of emotion is probably a sign of progress.
Can I bring my therapy pet?
HANDICAP SERVICE DOGS, ONLY.
SERVICE dogs are permitted.
We ask that other animals be left at home. We want to respect all the humans who are afraid or allergic to dogs.
Can I ask personal questions?
SURE.
You can ask, but we will keep the focus on you. Normally, I don’t say much about myself. Let’s get your money’s worth and talk about you.
What is your philosophy?
CATHOLIC PERSONALISM.
In Gaudium et spes, the Second Vatican Council formulated what has come to be considered the key expression of this personalism: “Man is the only creature on earth that God willed for its own sake, and he cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.”
In other words, we are healthier people when think of others more than we think of ourselves. We find peace and joy when we are able to empty ourselves as a free and loving gift to others.
I believe in in God and absolute truth.
This is in opposition to the philosophy of secular counseling, which claims “self-actualization” as the epitome of human existence. This is more self-centered than other-centered. In addition, there can be a tendency to embrace materialism and relativism in secular counseling. This denies the spiritual aspects of the self, encourages the pursuit of self-satisfaction, and denies the existence of absolute truth.
Are you licensed?
YES.
I hold the highest licensure in counseling in the state of Ohio. That licensure is the “Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor” license. In addition, I hold a supervisory designation. (LPCC-S).
This licensure indicates that I hold a master’s degree in mental health counseling and I am trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.
What has been your most painful experience?
THE DEATH OF TWO SIBLINGS.
My infant brother died when I was 7 years old. My sister died when I was 25. These experiences were painful but promoted growth.
What is the craziest thing you've done?
PIKES PEAK BY BIKE.
WHITE WATER RAFTING.
My husband and I biked down Pike’s Peak in Colorado. It was exhilarating! You can really pick up some speed – just don’t go over the edge!
We also braved class V rapids on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge in Colorado. Amazing!
We do not claim this information to be complete or accurate.