Therapists in Varnado, LA

From the first moment of successfully leaving our mother's body and beginning to breath on our own, we began a life journey that mirrors our own epic story. This epic is similar to those I used to watch as a child at the Sunday evening movies. Usually a hero, for instance, Hercules, would be engaged in ongoing event-filled days of danger, challenge, and conquest. Along the way there were characters who attempted to thwart his efforts or support his quest. His focus remained resolute and steadfast and was usually met with success. If not doing that hour definitely by part two he would be the victor. Our life challenges, however, are not usually met with the excitement of a movie; and success in overcoming them is not usually with one or even two hours. But like old movies, our challenges involve obstacles, dangers, wonders, and successes of varying dimensions. These challenges for many of us serve to push us forward to take another breath of life and to continue our personal life walk. From each push, breath, and challenge we can choose to learn and experience success or satisfaction with how we are engaging with life. I am Joy Smith McElveen, a licensed clinical social worker in New Orleans, LA.. Like many of you, my epic story is filled with many challenges of major life disappointments, frustrations, illness, fears, anxiety, depression, and anger. However, there was always a sense of wonder which generated happy times, love, and a glimmer of hope-filled days. Focusing on the wonders of hope helps me put challenges and obstacles into a perspective that allows me build change efforts. I think it is having a sense of hope, the real wonder, that pushes us forward despite the challenge. My practice is based on expanding a search for hope within each person seeking to change direction. Living demands that we must continue to grow. We grow through learning and making changes in our sphere of life. Our emotions and thoughts help or hinder our behavior. It is within these areas we need to evaluate, and search for meaning to be productive and fulfilled. My practice is based on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy undergirded with applications from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. These approaches have interconnections with how we can choose to change how we think, feel and behave. They each require that the person seeking to make changes do the work and the helper is alongside working with her/him. I would like to be one of the characters in your epic story who supports your quest for change. I have a BA in sociology from Louisiana State University (now UNO); a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor); and a doctorate from Howard University School of Social Work. I have certifications in each treatment approach listed above.

Greetings. As a therapist, I prefer to talk about you rather than me, but I understand you need to know about me to make a decision regarding choosing a therapist. I am an older therapist with extensive experience in most areas of therapy. I worked for schools, counseling agencies, mental healthcare agencies, had a private practice for over 20 years and in the hospital setting providing counseling to individuals in various departments including OB, Pain Management, Grief and Loss, Emergency, inpatient and most often in an outpatient setting (PHP and IOP). I work closely with psychiatrists in prescribing medications and reporting efficacy. Although I do not prescribe medication, I am familiar with the latest medications as well as the older medications used in therapy. I am also familiar with co-morbidity issues and dual diagnoses (medical as well as mental illnesses and their interactions). In my private practice, I worked with children and adolescents in foster care as well as living with their families, family issues, adoptions, adjustments, ADD/ADHD, and educational and learning issues. I also worked with individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and have prepared myself educationally (I have a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology) and I avail myself of every opportunity to improve my skills and meet additional certification requirements (I am a certified trauma counselor as well as a certified telehealth professional). I espouse christian beliefs as well as respecting any faith as it pertains to the benefits of therapy. In addition to being licensed by the Louisiana LPC Board, I am also designated as a supervisor to counsel trainees. I firmly believe in promoting the counseling profession and am committed to training competent future counselors for licensure. I tailor my therapy to the individual's needs and form treatment plans accordingly. Most often, I use a cognitive behavioral approach sprinkled with didactic and rational emotional therapies. If I cannot provide the necessary help and assistance, I have no trouble acknowledging such and referring a patient to someone who can. Thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with my qualifications and experience. If you feel I can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with Supervision privilege licensed in the state of Louisiana with over 10 years experience as a licensed counselor. I work with individuals struggling with various life challenges to include: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, and grief/loss. I also have experience helping individuals with ADD navigate school or work situations. I can also help individuals, such as college students or non-traditional students returning to school, with academic concerns such as adjustment issues, how to study for college setting, and time management. I believe the relationship between the therapist and the client is the most important element of therapy. I consider building rapport and trust with the individual as essential in the therapeutic process. I help individuals identify and establish their goals for therapy and work with individual toward accomplishing those goals. I use client- centered therapy along with Solution Focus Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) to help individuals. I design each individual’s therapy to the unique and specific goals of the individual. I also have experience with social anxiety, religion/spiritual concerns, addiction, forgiveness, communication, compassion fatigue, academic concerns, and career issues. I look forward to working with you.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & anger management. 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. My schedule is pretty fluid to meet your needs and of course you are encouraged to use my page with BetterHelp; my work cell number is (337)580-3870 , Typically, I am notified of your request and messages but in event needed, use my number,

I am an Independently licensed Social Worker licensed in the state of Ohio and Louisiana. I have been in the field for over 15 years having worked with a number of populations. I have provided therapy for both youth and adults with a wide range of presenting concerns. I have experience working with children in the foster care system as well as children involved in the juvenile justice system. Most of my experience providing therapy has been with adults struggling with addiction, trauma, life changes, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. I take a client centered approach to therapy and believe that each individual should determine what their goals are! I will work along side you and assist you in achieving your goals on your timeline. I feel strongly about developing a therapeutic alliance which allows for an open, honest working relationship. I know it can be difficult to start this journey but I look forward to working with you and making these first couple steps seamless and helpful!

I am licensed in Louisana with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with parenting issues, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana with 15 years of professional work experience - 10 of which I have been licensed. I have experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults who have problems with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Disorder, Past and Current Trauma’s, Relationship problems between family, peers and teachers/authority figures as well as those with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem and low self-confidence, & depression. 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. I usually focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy but am also trained in Solution-Focused Therapy, Grief Therapy and Trauma Induced Therapy. I believe that counseling is a relationship where you and I work together as a team to help you fulfill the goals you are wanting to achieve. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I really look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Louisiana with 24 years of professional work experience, 10 of those being in direct clinical practice with children, adolescents and their families. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger management, & 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & anger management. 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Hi. I’m Torren Lafleur! I am licensed in Louisiana with 11 years of professional work experience providing therapy to various populations. I have extensive experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, anger management, depression, coping and adjusting to life changes, & concentration and memory improvement. I also have experience working with focus (ADHD). I believe that you (the client) are the expert of your story and that you already have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming people, place and/or things and situations that may challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.