Therapists in Albany, OH

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with nearly 30 years of experience. I am located in Florida where I began my career in counseling in 1994 as a residential therapist in a psychiatric hospital, followed by the roles of an outpatient therapist, clinical supervisor and program director at a substance abuse treatment agency. In 2001, I relocated to Ohio, where I worked for the next 13 years as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - Supervisor, program manager and program administrator for a mental and behavioral health nonprofit organization. In 2014, I relocated back to Florida where I began my online practice. If you have any reservations about online counseling, I encourage you to give it a try. It is a highly effective and convenient therapeutic modality that can be accessed from the the comfort and safety of your own home or wherever you are at any given time. I can attest to this with utmost confidence based on my clients' positive feedback after providing services here for over 8 years. My clinical philosophy is one of a humanistic nature, with emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as the most essential building block of the counseling process. My therapeutic style is warm, interactive, attentive and compassionate. I believe that genuineness, unconditional positive regard and empathy are critical to the helping process. As needed, I am also direct and structured in my approach and tend to assign therapeutic homework or tasks to enhance the progression and continuity of the process in between live sessions or message exchanges. I have the ability to tailor and pace treatment to your individual and unique needs, and I am sensitive to evolving the process at your pace and convenience while still promoting and prompting advancement toward your goals. Furthermore, I take a holistic approach to health and wellness, with emphasis on achieving balance in major life domains. I believe that when needs, desires or aspirations are unfulfilled in one significant realm, the others are affected as well and this creates imbalance in one's life, leading to stress, anxiety, inconsistency, overwhelmed feelings, lack of self-care, somatic symptoms, etc. Lastly, in terms of professional characteristics and standards of care, I operate with the highest degree. I was esteemed throughout my career for my level of professionalism, ethical conduct, organization, efficiency and grace. My educational background includes: a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Miami, FL; a master's degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and additional post-graduate coursework in career counseling, and the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of mental disorders at University of Dayton in Bexley, OH. I enjoy the ongoing pursuit of continued education, training and professional development through seminars in specialized areas, reading and self-study. I highly value knowledge, information and effective application of therapeutic theories, models, strategies, and techniques that may benefit the people I serve. My clinical experience includes working with various diverse populations and treatment modalities, and the full spectrum of issues and disorders ranging from the most simple to the most complex co-occurring conditions. I specialize in treating depression/anxiety/stress, substance abuse/addiction, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, trauma and grief/loss. I also have extensive experience with counseling issues in the following areas: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Compassion fatigue & Addictions in general. Depression, anxiety and stress are some of the most common challenges faced by people who seek counseling. In this realm, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults in residential/hospital, outpatient and community-based settings. I have provided individual, group and family services, and have facilitated psycho-educational counseling groups and workshops on coping skills, stress management/reduction, emotion regulation, self-esteem and assertive communication skills. My approach though eclectic, tends to be rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which per evidence-based research, is very effective in treating these issues. This active intervention is problem-focused and goal-directed in examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors; and modifying unhelpful or negative patterns of thinking that lead to self-defeating beliefs and actions, to improve coping and overall wellness. I also take a mindfulness-based approach to CBT (MBCBT) by encouraging the use of mindfulness practice and self-compassion. These tools help to address and validate one's personal experience with distress, pain and suffering; and diminish associated negative symptoms by focusing attention on the present moment. Learning how to self-soothe and regulate emotions through effective relaxation, calming and grounding strategies are significant components of my clinical approach to addressing depression, anxiety and stress. For over two decades, I have treated teens and adults who struggle with substance abuse and dependency issues. In 1998, I was humbly honored to receive Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association's Professional of the Year award. I have provided these services in various settings and levels of care from the least to the most restrictive. As an outpatient alcohol and drug counselor, I worked with self-referred individuals as well as those who had been mandated to receive evaluation and/or treatment as a condition of probation, parole, work, school or a family/community member. I provided these services in individual, group and family forums. As a clinical supervisor and administrator, I had the opportunity to develop and oversee programming and staff in the specialized area of addictions. In a training capacity, I facilitated seminars to educate clinical staff in the areas of assessing, diagnosing and treating alcohol and drug problems. I am very passionate about working with people who struggle with addictions in general, one day at a time, toward a healthy recovery and lifestyle. Maintaining a strong emphasis on healthy coping skills, positive support systems and relapse prevention planning are key to my treatment approach in this area. In the delicate area of treating the effects of abuse and trauma, I have worked with child and adult survivors of emotional/physical/sexual abuse and violence. I have extensive experience working with acute and post traumatic stress disorder and have developed and facilitated group curricula that focus on reducing isolation, guilt/shame and self-blame; building self-esteem, positive support systems and coping skills; and increasing a sense of mastery and personal empowerment. I am also well versed at teaching survivors how to implement effective relaxation, grounding and anchoring techniques to help diminish anxiety and maintain a balanced state of arousal and focus in the present moment. Encouraging self-forgiveness is also very important to me in helping survivors let go of illegitimate shame or guilt derived from any unwanted responses to, or effects from the abuse. Throughout the healing journey, I am sensitive to guiding the process at a pace that feels most comfortable and safe to each person, and promoting respite from focusing on difficult material if/when it becomes too emotionally burdensome. To help prevent any inadvertent re-traumatization from occurring during the counseling process, I am especially conscientious and attentive to providing trauma-informed care. Throughout my career, I have helped children, teens and families work through grief/loss challenges. In my professional opinion, there is no one particular formula for grieving. Though there are common elements or phases of grief, everyone grieves differently. It is a very personal experience and individual response to coping with significant loss of any kind - death, separation/divorce, relocation, retirement, job loss/change, etc. Grief occurs in stages, which may come like waves in the ocean, ascending and receding at any given time and in no particular order. I am skilled at helping people understand this phenomenon and learn how to navigate these treacherous waters. I have expertise in providing compassionate support and effective strategies to aid individuals through this vulnerable and difficult time toward a place of healing and acceptance. Working with LGBTQIA+ counseling issues is a point of passion for me. I respect, admire, embrace and promote diversity, individuality and authenticity in my personal and professional life. I am LGBTQIA+ informed/educated and have experience with bullying, coming out, internalized homophobia, gender identity affirmation and transgender support. Mental health problems are difficult enough in their own respect, let alone compounded by LGBTQ issues. I have worked with a broad spectrum of concerns in this realm ranging from depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, secrecy and confusion associated with sexual orientation/attraction and gender identity to homo/bi/transphobia and HOCD (homophobic obsessive compulsive disorder). Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ couples and families have unique issues when it comes to navigating the legal, emotional and financial aspects of raising and/or restructuring a non-traditional family. On behalf of this community, I firmly believe that more support, education and advocacy are greatly needed. With all the significant strides that have been made toward raised awareness and acceptance in our society, there is so much more that we can do to achieve full empowerment and equality for all. I want to be a part of this valuable movement and growth journey by helping one individual at a time. I genuinely admire your initiative and courage to reach out for support, and look forward to working together toward your goals. With patience and commitment and dedication to this process, this is the first step toward a happier and healthier or more evolved you.

Hello perspective! If you are reading this, you are probably searching for a mental health professional to team up with for yourself or someone you love. Maybe I can help! I have been a practicing Social Worker since 1982 when I graduated earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Then, earned a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University’s MSASS program. Much of my career focus has been on children and their families in the community mental health sector with the longest tenure being 24 years at Beech Brook. Now, in private practice since 2017, my service is to individuals 12 to 112 years of age. Although I certainly welcome males both cis and trans to my practice, I must admit a special passion to impact the self growth and empowerment of those who identify as female/women and those who identify as minority or disenfranchised in any form. My clinical expertise include treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, mood instability, self improvement, self empowerment, self esteem, life transitions, coping skill , life stage adjustments, adolescence, women’s issues, and LGBTQI+ focused concerns. Treatment modes include CBT, TF-CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, EMDR, PCIT, The Serenity Prayer Concepts and good old fashioned reality/facts therapy. pronouns: she/her

Life is hard. Full stop. Sometimes we need help - an extended ear or friendly face to continue to deal with our daily stressors or big life changes. Taking the first step to seeking help takes courage. Let’s take a moment to celebrate this first achievement toward a happier, healthier you! We are often hardest on ourselves, and I believe that focusing inward and allowing ourselves grace and kindness can go a long way. I also believe we all need space to process what we are thinking and feeling, though we often find reasons to neglect this need. We are too busy, other things become a priority, or perhaps we believe we don’t deserve the time and energy for ourselves. My toolbox is equipped with a range of therapeutic approaches, depending on each person’s needs and interests. I primarily utilize techniques that help develop skills to cope with life’s challenges. However, in working together I hope to help you with setting goals, finding and maintaining motivation, setting healthy boundaries, and finding sustainable balance. I specialize in expressive arts therapy (visual art, music, drama, movement, writing), though participating in expressive arts is not required and will not be pushed. Most of my experience is in crisis response and providing care to individuals needing intense levels of care in full-day programs. I believe that therapy goes beyond theory and textbooks. I have found that my influences have come from both inside and outside of the field of mental health. As a registered expressive arts therapist (REAT) and board certified registered art therapist (ATR-BC), I am inspired by Natalie Rogers, Shaun McNiff, and Cathy Malchiodi. As a mental health practitioner, I am heavily influenced by Carl Rogers, Irvin Yalom, and Jean Piaget. As a human being, I look to Fred Rogers, Tim Gunn, and Bob Ross for modeling of being kind to others, being kind to ourselves, and finding ways to reframe situations and overcome challenges. I will work with you to meet your needs and help you reach your goals, however, if at anytime you or I feel that it’s not a good fit, I am happy to help you connect with someone else. I am available for 30-45 minute live sessions Monday through Saturday. I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Whatever you are going through, you are not alone. Whether you are looking for strategies to cope, support in making a big decision, help with a difficult relationship, insight into mental health symptoms, a listening ear, cultivating a deeper level of acceptance, strength, hope, or exploring personal meaning and purpose, I count it an honor to work with you. I have been in practice for 14 years in the mental health field, since earning my Master's degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College in 2009. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, I work with clients in both private practice and within the outpatient hospital setting. Drawing upon the bountiful resources of Mindfulness, CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic Approach, and Art Therapy (if requested), I seek to balance our sessions with compassion, clinical skill, and creativity, incorporating personalized coping tools to address your goals and build upon your natural strength and innate resilience. Therapy is a gift that you give to yourself; the benefits of therapy are well worth the work!

Greetings, I'm Shannon Smith, Licensed Independent Social Worker and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. I hold a Master of Science and Social Administration with a focus on adult mental health from Case Western Reserve University. I have 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field and serve in dual roles, as a civilian therapist and social work officer in the Army National Guard. I'm passionate about my work and I understand the challenges of mental illness. My personal and professional experiences have provided me with an array of useful skills, such as attention to detail and meticulous listening. I use a person-centered approach to provide feedback in a gentle and empathic way, validating clients throughout. If you are struggling with hardship and overwhelming emotions, please know that you're not alone. I help my clients learn healthy coping skills to maintain a relaxed mind, body, and spirit. I believe in tailored intervention to meet each person's specific needs. I incorporate Christian values & Evidence-Based Practice to enhance the treatment outcome. Together we practice various techniques such as grounding, to reduce negative thoughts and emotions, making it easier to self-soothe. I consider myself very blessed to walk with people in their healing journey. It's an honor to hear unique testimonies of strength and resilience. I like to empower my clients to identify and embrace their strengths, becoming the best version of themselves possible. Sometimes all it takes is a little guidance to see yourself out of the dark and into the light. If you'd like to connect, please feel free to reach out, I'm happy to provide further information. May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you Jude 1:2

I am licensed in Ohio and Texas with 5 years of professional clinical work experience and 25 years of pastoral counseling experience. I have experience in helping clients cope with addictions, grief and loss, and other life changes. I am also skilled at working with executives and other professionals seeking coaching. 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am an independently licensed mental health counselor in Ohio with 5 years of professional work experience. I take a collaborative, client-centered approach so my sessions will be tailored to your unique needs. I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to move towards solutions. Since I do not primarily work on the Betterhelp platform I currently am only offering weeknight appointments. I have experience with a diverse range of clients and topic areas. These include: life transitions, trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, healthy relationships, stress, career counseling, and psychosis. Whether you are attempting to manage an ongoing stressor, trying to make an improvement, or just need someone to listen, I am here to help. Taking the first step towards a more fulfilling life takes courage and isn’t always easy. I am here to support you in that process and look forward to working together if you think I’m a good fit for your needs. Regardless, I believe in you!

"Ode to Peace and Joy"... Sometimes life just stinks, and then it hurts, and we feel stuck…I am a fully licensed, seasoned professional with a flexibly-cohesive holistic approach, not subscribing to a “one-size-fits-all” perspective, for those patients with whom I am privileged to work. Consider then joining hands for a season: Learn how to pinpoint your own belief system and unique strengths, while crystalizing your valued "short list" of priorities, and forge a unique sojourn designed to capture a life truly worthy of your precious time, effort, and resources. Time is a wonderful gift; what we do with that time can make all the difference. Be here now... I love discovering with you not only your dreams and strengths, but any stumbling block that keeps getting in the way, and more importantly, how to surmount every one of them along the way, learning to savor each step as an opportunity . We will learn to identify your areas of vulnerability and develop ongoing ways to supplant gaps in any needed skill sets or where in life you may lack needed support in creating a more fulfilling, transformative life. Transformative...I do consider it an honor to sojourn along with you and discover what works best for your life. I believe this life of ours is a fascinating gift that can be an adventure, and I continue to consider it a joy to work with each one who enters into the realm of my influence. While I believe we are fundamentally relational by design and thereby interconnected in powerful ways, we nevertheless remain wonderfully unique, each one having inherent dignity deserving of respect, and each one retaining the right to precious self-determination in how life is lived. I believe that together, by making our own lives better, we can leave our place in the world a bit better than we found it. I look forward to the potential opportunity of exploring that journey with you.

I am licensed in Ohio with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, anger management, & 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 Ohio with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!