Therapists in Banks, AL

Hello! My name is Samantha Whelan and I am an LPC currently licensed in Oklahoma, Alabama, and New Hampshire with 12 years of professional experience. I decided to take a sabbatical to raise my two children while continuing to keep up with professional development thru continuing education. During these years the ups and downs of everyday life with family, kids, and friends gave me more insight into personal life struggles than I could have acquired by only reading a textbook or sitting in my office. I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to help people who may be experiencing a personal, family, or relational challenge by providing support, practical feedback, skills-sets and tools that I have acquired in my many years of conducting group and individual psychotherapy sessions. The majority of my professional counseling career was spent prior to the birth of my children. This period of intense focus on my development as a counselor provided me with the chance to develop the capacity to exhibit sympathy and accurate empathy when working with some of society's most challenging circumstances. During this critical time of professional growth, I had the distinct honor to work with people struggling with the grip of addiction and mental health challenges. Because of the bio-psycho-social nature of the disease of addiction, I was challenged to become competent in addressing a myriad of my clients social, emotional, spiritual, physical, legal, familial, and financial issues caused by the trauma of unhealthy habits and poor decision making. It was during these early years that I developed my own personal style of counseling and psychotherapy. This style of therapy is deeply rooted in the discipline of cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral theory, motivational interviewing, and client centered therapy . These styles allow both you and I to work together during our therapy sessions. I would also like to mention that I myself have been where you are. I have sought out counseling as well and as a counselor myself I had very high standards. I feel like this experience also gave me such great insight into what it felt like to be "on the other side of the desk" and I truly knew how it felt to be heard and validated and I hope that I can make my clients feel the same way. It is my belief that most individuals fall somewhere along a continuum of change. Many times a person’s lack of awareness of where they might be placed on this continuum is a starting point for our counseling sessions. Change doesn't happen overnight. But, my hope for you is that we can find out what you would like to improve and find out what types of behavior change need to happen in order for you to accomplish your personal growth goals in a safe, confidential setting. Always remember your agenda is my agenda. I look forward to working with you!

Welcome to my web page at BetterHelp. Did you know that over 42% of the United States population has sought some type of mental help services in their lifetime? Another 36% of the United States population have thought about seeking out mental health services to address all ranges of mental health issues. It takes initiative, courage and self-awareness to reach out for help. The hardest part of reaching out for help is finding a therapist that is compassionate, warm, understanding, non-judgmental, and a good listener that fits a client's mental health needs while accommodating home, school, and work balance within the scope of everyday life. Furthermore, it is even more difficult to navigate the process of what to expect in therapy to achieve positive outcomes in mental health wellness. I firmly believe in the philosophy that "if you do not 'jive' with a therapist, do not quit counseling, just find a therapist you do." In my professional experience I have often heard clients state, "My therapist does not listen to me. They just tell me things I already know." This is not the experience that I want to give any of my clients. I believe in the philosophy "treat others like you would want to be treated and walk a mile in their shoes." I believe that everyone is an expert of their own life and that the therapist should empower a client to concentrate on things that they can control within their environment through positivity, thus, avoiding the traps of "should haves, could haves, would haves, must haves" that can cause a person to become paralyze within their own psyche. The counselor/client relationship should be a collaborative one that does not leave the client feeling deflated but empowered with new tools to try to improve overall mental health functioning. I have had many clients come with high expectations that the therapist "will fix them, or give them advice". This is one thing that no therapist can do as this would be taking individual power away from the client further exasperating the symptoms of the mental health diagnosis for which one is seeking help. The therapeutic relationship is one that each party equally contributes to setting client centered goals that are measurable and attainable while bringing about personal awareness of how behaviors affect actions and how actions affect mental health outcomes. In short, all behaviors have positive or negative consequences. My approach to counseling is to help educate clients on behaviors, choices, and consequences through solution-focused, cognitive behavior, aspects of psychodynamic and Gestalt, but mostly client centered therapies. I ascribe to the concept, "Stop, Think, Act" when working with a client. I am Leslie Warren, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a Person In Practice endorsement by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners. I have over 15 years in social services experience in an agency setting prior to receiving my Masters in Social Work in 2014 and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2018 from the University of Alabama. I have about 6 years postmasters clinical experience working for both private and public agencies/companies with preschool and school age children, young adults, caregivers, disabled populations, and older adults. I am well versed in helping clients assess community and educational resources. I am experienced in providing case management, individual, and group therapy, I am experiences in treating clients with general anxiety and situational depression. I am most knowledgeable in educating clients on grief and anxiety issues related to death, disability, and infertility. As a person who has suffered from infertility, I am passionate in beginning a new phase of my professional career by helping infertile couples navigate the stresses, anxiety, grief, and unknown expectations of the path to parenthood while giving individuals and couples emotional and educational support to deal with the loses each time a treatment fails. This "emotional roller coaster" causes a vicious cycle of disappointment, worry, depression, family and couple conflicts, and financial strain upon the individual's or couple's relationship. Many times the medical community lacks experience and education to address the needs of couples through the treatment process and fails to educate the client (patient) on all alternatives for treatment that may be available to them such as regular adoption and embryo donation/adoption through IVF. My plight with infertility is the main reason I decided to get a Masters of Social Work so I could help individuals and couples be a advocate for themselves through education, emotional support and understanding that is lacking in training among both the medical and mental health professional fields. Since choosing the right therapist affects the direct outcomes of the client's progress toward mental help awareness and emotional well being, I prefer to have the first sessions to be through video chat as this will promote the atmosphere of a collaborative, trusting, warm, and open therapeutic relationship. I can also accommodate phone and chat forums. If you choose to enter into a therapeutic relationship with me, and you do not see an appointment time that works for you, or is not available on the calendar, reach out and I may be able to accommodate on a case by case basis as long as I have at least a two to three days notice. I generally check messages here a few times per day Tue-Sat and I will respond as quickly as I can. I do appreciate your patience when it takes a bit longer at times, as I may be tending to other clients or professional/personal responsibilities." I wish you the best in this journey and I commend you for taking the initiative, courage and self-awareness to reach out for help. Leslie Warren, LICSW, PIP

I am so glad you made it to my page today as you are deciding who to choose for your therapist. I would like to share with you a little about me and my approach. I have a passion for helping those in need find their inner strength and resilience. We all have it within us to find solutions to our problems; sometimes we just need some guidance. Are you at the point where saying "I just need to try harder" or "I used to be able to" is just not working? I offer an integrative, client-centered approach to counseling. Our work together will be collaborative in nature. Just one small step is all it takes to begin the process of change. If you are struggling, reach out to me and we will begin the process together. Building a strong therapeutic relationship may be the bridge between who you are now and who your are yet to become. I work with a variety of issues including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, mood disorders, OCD, panic disorder, and women's issues. Whatever is going on, let's explore together!!!

Hello!! I am a licensed independent clinical social worker and private independent practitioner with over 8 years of experience. I graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelors in Social Work and from the University of Southern California with a Masters in Social Work. Over the years I have worked with individuals on wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, ADHD, and Serious Mental Illnesses. I am excited to work in partnership with you to meet your life goals. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, TF-CBT, dialectal behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. We will work together to develop an individual treatment plan specifically for you! I am proud of you for taking this first step towards better well-being! I look forward to working with you!

I am a licensed professional counselor with more than 10 years of experience. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010 with a focus on marriage and family therapy. I currently work in a substance abuse setting which provides me the opportunity to assist clients with a range of issues. I have a background in juvenile justice, domestic violence, family therapy, anger management and mood disorders. I like to approach therapy with the idea that the client is an expert in their own lives and has the ultimate capacity for change. Each individual is unique in relation to their life experiences, and I as a counselor serve as a facilitator and motivator. I look forward to the opportunity to help you make changes to your life to be your most productive and actualized self.

I am licensed in Alabama and Washington with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, depression, and overall life stressors. I have experience working with clients of all ages but specialize in clients ages 10 years old and up. Life happens, right? Why am I feeling this way? When life happens it can be difficult to adapt or to reach out to someone for help. Let me help you identify goals to help you become a better you!

Begin 2025 with renewed hope and personalized support. Let's journey together towards well-being and happiness. Reach out and take the first step today! I am licensed in Alabama with over 10 years of professional experience in mental health. My desire is to walk with you in the darker places of struggle as you work toward living a meaningful life. There may not always be simple answers or quick fixes, but I am dedicated to walk with you on your journey. I have experience in helping clients with stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues & family conflicts. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs, including faith-based therapy, if desired, as I identify with the Christian faith. I welcome clients to discuss spiritual resources that may assist with managing concerns. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. Give yourself credit for taking the first step! My current availability for Live phone, video or chat session is as follows: Sunday’s and Monday’s: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST Tuesday – Friday: 6:30PM - 7:30 PM CST If you feel this availability does not adequately meet your needs, you may want to consider matching with a different provider so that you can be as successful as possible on this journey. If this time frame works for you, please feel free to jump on the schedule and embark on your journey with me! Remember, I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Alabama with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. My sole purpose as a counselor is to help people. If you are dissatisfied with how things are going in your life, I am here to help you determine steps you can take to change that. I typically take a solution-focused approach to therapy, which is collaborative, practical, and goal-driven. YOU are the most important part of our relationship and, together, we will develop a plan that best helps you reach your goals. You can expect me to be honest, supportive, accepting, and thought provoking. You can also expect me to actively listen to you and provide feedback. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage, and I am proud of you for getting started!

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I provide therapeutic mental health services to individuals, professionals, couples, families, groups, and organizations through the use of innovative techniques and evidence-based models. I work with all types of clients and families, Military families, Homeschool families, Blended families, Adoptive and Foster Care families, and families with special needs, all are welcome. My professional associations include being a member of the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, Chi Sigma Iota, Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter, the American Counseling Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and I have experience helping individuals of all ages with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, ADHD, and a variety of challenges related to adjustments and life transitions. I believe that you are the expert of your story and it is my honor to support you as you navigate difficulties and rediscover strengths to help you achieve your goals. Therapeutic Goal: I believe therapy should be a collaborative effort to clarify your goals, maximize your strengths, identify potential roadblocks, and design a lifestyle that works for you. Therapeutic Approach: We achieve this goal by exploring behavioral and thought patterns which may be hindering your success. During sessions, we will look for hidden motivations and subtle beliefs which are no longer beneficial. We will utilize creative problem-solving to develop strategies more conducive to a fulfilling life. We will implement strategies for success and review and adjust as necessary. And we will do all of this in a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can voice all of your fears, frustrations, confusion, and mistakes on the way to growth.