Therapists in McKenzie, AL

Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you can take on the world. How great does that feel? Pretty great and an attainable goal, but the reality is that at times life takes twists and turns which can leave us with worries, frustrations and conflicts. These can pile up and prevent us from accessing our built-in ability to live a purposeful, joyful life. That's where I come in. I'm Carol Costner, a licensed professional counselor with over 14 years of experience working with people who have shared with me a broad range of problems. I always knew I wanted to work in the helping profession and pursued that out of high school by attending the University of Alabama in Birmingham, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in nursing. My work began in helping alleviate the physical suffering of those I was honored to serve in hospital settings. After a while, I returned to school and graduated with a Master's degree in Community Counseling from Jacksonville State University, earning my counseling license and my national certification as a counselor. I began working in a variety of settings with clients who suffered emotionally and relationally with both diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues. My counseling style is client-centered, which simply means that you are the best expert on yourself. I will depend on you to share with me your own self assessment as a place to begin. I use a combination of solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral and narrative therapy techniques. I employ a whole-person integrated approach to wellness, using empathy while also being direct. This approach helps my clients avoid being too hard on themselves while also owning responsibility for change. Everyone will not fit into one method of therapy so I tailor my efforts toward what fits you best. I believe that we all have within us an internal compass--the ability to find our way. I would love the opportunity to assist you in accessing that compass and finding your way through whatever you are currently facing. I promise that I will give you my utmost best as we travel the journey to wellness and wholeness together. If you're looking for change and relief from distressing emotions, I would be delighted to join with you in a journey toward a more abundant life.

Twenty years ago, my life was turned upside down when my husband walked out the door, leaving me to raise our two year old daughter and dreams I thought we had built together since our second year in college. I couldn't imagine how I could go on. I couldn't imagine how anyone who'd been though this sort of pain had gone on. But, to my surprise, I did go on, grow, developed new and stronger emotional muscles. And formed a new dream: I wanted everyone to believe they could get there (peace/happiness) from here (pain/anxiety/confusion). So, I went back to school and, with a lot of family help, got this degree that allowed me to begin helping others help themselves. For over 20 years now, I've worked with women growing through divorce, adults facing stage of life changes, people of all ages seeking to believe in - or even identify - their strengths, accept and work on their weaknesses. We start by learning to trust each other; we start by trusting the client's self empowerment (even if the client doesn't really believe - at first). Then we form a two-person team and reframe negative beliefs, pinpoint resources, figure out distorted thoughts that are holding the client back and need to be abandoned. We do in-session exercises, refer to research and books, and connect dots in belief sets until...we get there from here. And, almost all the time, we do. We will - you and I. Almost no problem is too big such that two people working hand in hand with a sound knowledge base, can't overcome it. In time, the problem that seems so big today will be a learning experience and a memory. We'll get you there. Let's start now.

I believe that counseling is a process in which the counselor and client have to work together to build trust and growth. It gives the client a safe environment in which to explore their issues and learn to better cope with them. My goal as a counselor is to help people establish change that they seek within themselves. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (#2879) in the state of Alabama and Georgia (#006569). I am also a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Georgia. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Alabama and Master’s degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I have worked with a variety of demographics, including the geriatric population. I have a strong background in mental health counseling, including crisis and substance abuse counseling. Additionally, I have experience in counseling clients that have dual diagnoses. I am skilled in providing marriage and couples counseling to help those in trouble relationships repair and rebuild there relationship.

I am a Certified Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Professional (CAADP), and a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor, level III (ACGC-III) in the state of Alabama. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama. I have worked in the field of addictions and mental health for over 20 years. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect and compassion. I provide a nonjudgmental zone and exercise the use of “person-first” language. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and client-centered therapeutic approaches. I make use of motivational interviewing in most of my session, but am also well versed in other therapeutic styles of facilitating counseling sessions. My specialty area is co-occurring disorders with adolescents and young adults. I have since broadened my scope to focus on the mental health needs of student-athletes with emphasis on transitioning from high school competition to intercollegiate sports as well as the impact of transitioning to life after competition. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I am glad that you have taken the first step and look forward as you continue to move forward in your recovery/healing process.

Thank you for stopping by! My name is Ruthie Brooks. It takes courage to reach out to a complete stranger for help with your personal journey. We all have moments in life that we need guidance and support to get through life struggles. I have a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I work with clients seeking help with stress management, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, anger management, low self-esteem, OCD, and substance abuse. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. My therapeutic approach is grounded in client-centered, cognitive-behavioral, reality therapy, motivational interviewing, exposure-response prevention, and solution-focused and techniques and strategies. I will offer needed guidance and support without judgment. I will assist in empowering you with the skills, strategies, and resources to reach your goals and achieve an optimal level of functioning. The greatest form of courage and strength is making the first step and seeking assistance. Our work together will involve the use of strategies and techniques to alleviate identified symptoms. I look forward to building a positive, collaborative, and effective therapeutic relationship!

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) for over ten years. I have an extensive background in proving individual and group therapy and have worked with all age groups (children-geriatrics). I have worked with clients in the areas of anxiety, depression, career issues, grief/loss, and family conflict. My role as a practitioner is to go by the motto “start where the client is at.” I do not believe there is a one size fits all approach for therapy. I have engaged clients in CBT, psychodynamic approaches, and many stress management exercises. I am ready to help you take the first steps to having a happier life!

I am licensed in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Alabama with 8 years of professional work experience. My early work involved working in a family farm business. While I enjoyed it (and still do), I found myself wanting to go back to school and study counseling. So that's what I did--earning my master's degree in Counseling from the University of Montevallo. This was an excellent fit because for most of my life, I have been passionate about better understanding myself and others, and how this understanding can lead to a healthier, more fulfilled life. To this end, I have studied personality theory, career strategy, metal health interventions, and relationship skills. As a counselor, I have experience in helping clients effectively deal with stress, anxiety and depression, and improve their motivation, self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, I am passionate about helping clients discover their best career or make the most of the career they are in. I believe you are a unique individual, born with distinct strengths and challenges. As you grow, you encounter different people, situations and experiences. In response to these, you acquire beliefs and skills. Some of these skills and beliefs are helpful to you, while others are not. My desire is, first, to assist you in identifying what you want out of counseling. And next, to help you to pursue those life goals by effectively utilizing skills and beliefs that are helpful, while helping you change the beliefs and skills that are holding you back. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life is both exciting and scary. I am here to support you throughout this process.

I am licensed in Alabama with 19 years of professional work experience in mental health. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

BetterHelp - English I am licensed in Alabama with 30 years of professional work experience. My work occurred as I lived in several states during travel, with my family’s military assignments, and have been licensed in Northeastern & Southeastern United States. I have experience helping clients with depression, anxiety, stress, grief, chronic illness, ({low} motivation, self-esteem and confidence). My work with clients has been within an open, safe environment; created so their thoughts and feelings can be shared with the goals of satisfactory improvement. This sharing of emotional/psychological experiences examines thoughts, feelings privately, safely without fear of judgment. Clients who take these certain steps forward, toward seeking more fulfillment and happiness in their lives, can find courage to continue. I am here to support them during these processes.