Counseling Services

At Heritage, our individual counseling is a safe and comfortable way for you to explore avenues to solve problems, cultivate healthy behavioral changes, and develop a greater understanding of your feelings and experiences. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concern, our skilled team of counselors is here to take an active part in your journey as a supporter and advocate for the fulfillment of your goals and desires. 

Individual counseling offers a great opportunity to receive personalized support as you navigate life’s unique challenges. Your therapy sessions with one of our expertly trained counselors can address a number of concerns and topics, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, stress, and more. 

Why is counseling beneficial?

The primary goal of your therapy sessions will be to talk through any mental health concerns you have so you are able to grow, heal and move toward becoming a healthier, and happier version of yourself. Your individual counseling will be completely unique to your as a client, and you will work with your counselor to establish goals and milestones for your journey. 

Some benefits to individual counseling may include: 

• Improving communication skills

• Providing skills for coping with challenging situations

• Offering new unbiased insight and understanding

• Identifying problem areas within yourself

• Providing strategies for conflict resolution 

• Improving and strengthening relationships

• Addressing emotional hindrances

What do Individual counseling sessions look like?

Your first session at Heritage Counseling & Consulting will begin with a one-hour and 30-minute session with your counselor. For adult individual counseling, you will fill out a general questionnaire along with some other consent forms that will be sent through our patient portal. All of the questions on the general questionnaire are optional so if any questions make you feel uncomfortable, or are irrelevant to your situation, you can skip them. The initial packet you will receive will also include directions to the appointment as well as a reference guide to use our patient portal. The reference guide covers telehealth appointments, how to access billing documents/superbills, and how to use secure messaging to communicate with your clinician.

After your initial appointment, most therapy sessions will last about an hour, however, the frequency and duration of your sessions will depend on your individual needs, and established goals. Some concerns can be resolved quickly after just a few therapy sessions, while complex or chronic issues may require a long-term commitment as you work through obstacles with your counselor by your side. Even after you achieve your goals, continued therapy can assist your overall mental health.

Is individual counseling effective? 

Even if therapy cannot completely cure a condition, it can help people develop healthy coping skills and help manage issues that arise. Research shows that therapy may result in fewer relapses of common issues, such as depression and anxiety, and indicates that the positive effects of good therapy extend beyond treatment. 

Finding a therapist you are comfortable with and partnering with them can help you get the most out of your sessions. When you are open, honest, and transparent, counselors are able to address each issue and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Going to therapy may feel difficult on some days, but it is important to attend each session and complete any additional outside work to ensure growth and success. Being patient and sticking to the treatment plan can establish long-term success in therapy. 

When should someone seek counseling?

Individual counseling may be a good idea for you if you have been struggling with your particular issues and you have not been able to handle them alone. Counseling is designed to be a tool to help you identify and resolve the unique challenges you are facing. 

The American Psychological Association suggests you consider a time to see a counselor when something causes distress and interferes with some part of life, particularly when:

• Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day

• The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others

• The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease

• The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships

• You’ve made changes in your life or develop habits to cope with the issue

Possible signs you should seek counseling can include: 

• Feeling overwhelmed. Stress can be an overwhelming feeling that can lead to many other health concerns.

• Fatigue. This physical symptom often results from or coincides with mental health issues such as depression. 

• Extreme anger, rage, or resentment. Feeling angry is normal, but seeking support to deal with these feelings may be a good idea when they don’t quickly pass, are extreme compared to the situation, or if they lead you to take violent or potentially harmful actions.

• Anxious and/or intrusive thoughts. Being worried is a normal feeling, but when it consistently interrupts your day or causes physical symptoms, seeking help is recommended. 

• Social isolation or withdrawal. If you feel distressed or fear being around other people, therapy can help you understand how to deal with these feelings.

• Hopelessness. Feeling hopeless after a difficult or traumatic event is expected. When feelings of hopelessness persist, they could lead to potentially harmful thoughts and actions. 

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are holding you back or causing your distress or harm, please reach out to Heritage Counseling and Consulting to set up your first appointment for individual counseling.