Unlock Your Potential with Awake Counseling

My anxiety counseling services are designed to help you overcome fear, stress, and anxiety. I provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insights into behavior, and develop strategies to manage and decrease your anxiety.

My depression counseling services can help you overcome feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. I'll provide you with a supportive  environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insights into what may be happening, and develop strategies to decrease your depression and find the joy in life again, or perhaps for the first time.

My trauma counseling services can help you overcome traumatic events and the lingering effects from them. We'll work together to use techniques to help you heal from the psychological impact of trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) intensives are offered as part of my program. I'll provide a safe environment where you can explore your experiences and develop strategies to move forward.

Counseling can be a valuable resource for individuals seeking guidance, support, and tools to navigate the complexities that come with life changes. It's a collaborative process that empowers individuals to enhance their emotional well-being and build resilience. 

Ideal for clients that want to get better quickly and have limited time. This service is customized for you, and sessions tend to be about 3-5 hours in length.  Schedule a free consultation to see if this service is for you. Payment plans are available for intensives.   

Are you living a life that is in harmony with your values? 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that falls under the category of "third-wave" behavior therapies. ACT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. The primary goal of ACT is to help individuals accept what is out of their control and commit to actions that enrich their lives. 

ACT is used to treat anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, and other behavioral health issues. It encourages a more flexible and open approach to dealing with challenges, fostering psychological flexibility and resilience. ACT does not aim to eliminate your distressing thoughts and feelings but rather to change your relationship to them, promoting a more fulfilling and values-driven life. 

You need help and relief now.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a newer form of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals overcome trauma and related mental health issues. It was developed by Laney Rosenzweig, a licensed marriage and family therapist in 2008. She found EMDR to be useful but also time consuming and lacking in some areas. ART is designed to be a brief and effective treatment, and proven for many clients to receive faster results. ART incorporates elements from various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and guided imagery. One of the distinctive features of ART is the use of rapid eye movements to facilitate the processing of distressing memories and emotions.

During an ART session, Shirley helps you identify and target specific distressing memories or experiences. You'll then engage in a structured process that involves focusing on the traumatic memory while following movements with your eyes. This process aims to desensitize the emotional charge associated with the memory, making it less distressing.  Learn more about ART here

There is no need to talk about the trauma during the session unless you choose to, thus reducing distress for many.  ART may make deeper processing of trauma memories possible by making them less threatening to the you. 

In theory, ART can treat any problem that involves the need to reframe negative thoughts, beliefs, and images, which opens it up to helping with most disorders. 

Are you having trouble with "Stinking Thinking"?  (Those terrible thoughts about yourself that are hard to change).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The main goal of CBT is to help you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to emotional distress or problems in your life.

CBT is based on the premise that our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors, and by changing negative thought patterns, you can improve your emotional well-being and make positive changes in your life. The therapy is typically short-term and goal-oriented, with the therapist working collaboratively with you to develop practical skills and coping strategies.

CBT is used to anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, stress, and more. It is considered an evidence-based approach, meaning that it has been extensively researched and shown to be effective for many individuals.

Two things can be true at the same time!

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that incorporates dialectics, which means balancing and integrating opposites. It acknowledges the dialectical tension between acceptance and change, encouraging individuals to accept themselves and their current situation while also working towards positive change.

DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with emotional regulation, self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideation, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. The comprehensive approach of DBT aims to create a balance between acceptance and change to improve overall emotional well-being.