All people experience anxiety, but if the anxiety is so strong or persistent that it’s interfering with quality of life, counseling can help. Common symptoms of anxiety include ongoing worry, trouble concentrating, sleep disturbance, muscle tension, restlessness, and fatigue. Some people may also experience panic attacks.

Common examples of anxiety disorders include:

• panic disorder – recurrent panic attacks
• generalized anxiety disorder – a lingering anxiety about a wide variety of things
• social anxiety disorder – anxiety about being around/interacting with others
• specific phobia – anxiety triggered by a specific thing, such as heights, spiders, medical procedures, etc.
• agoraphobia – anxiety around leaving the house and being out in public

Trauma

Trauma is a broard term. We might consider it as an injury to the psyche, either by one major incident or several smaller incidents. When we find we can’t live a full quality of life because of something bad that happened to us, this might fit the criteria for a trauma disorder. Common symptoms of trauma include emotional distress (e.g. depression, anxiety), flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, nightmares, difficulty connecting with others, negative views of the self, feeling “on guard” or hypervigilant, being easily startled, and more. The most commonly recognized type of trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be caused by many different things. However, PTSD is not the only type of trauma-related disorder. Trauma can impact a person in many different ways.

Common examples of trauma and related disorders include:

• adjustment disorder – a very common ailment when a life stressor causes significant distress, such as strong anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems
• post-traumatic stress disorder – when a life- or safety-threatening event causes long-term, persistent trauma symptoms
• acute stress disorder – trauma symptoms that occur immediately after a traumatic incident, then resolve within about one month
• prolonged grief disorder – also know as complex grief, when a loss causes significant emotional distress that doesn’t resolve overtime (beyond what would be normally expected of the grieving process)

Depression is commonly thought of “sadness”. While sadness can be a part of it, depression is much more. Clinical depression can keep a person trapped. Common symptoms include depressed mood, inability to feel joy (giving up activities that were once enjoyable), too much or too little sleep, too much or too little appetite, low motivation/energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of suicide. Irritability is also common, especially in children and adolescents.

Common examples of depressive disorders include:

• premenstrual dysphoric disorder – specific to women, this shows as significant depression, irritability, and/or anxiety just prior to the start of the menstrual cycle
• major depressive disorder – significant, long-lasting periods of depression, typically occurring in multiple episodes
• persistent depressive disorder – “low grade” depression lasting multiple years
• disruptive mood dysregulation disorder – specific to children and adolescents, this shows as frequent irritable outbursts and persistent angry mood

Bipolar disorder is often confused with “moodiness”. True bipolar disorder generally shows up as distinct periods of depression (lasting multiple days) followed by distinct periods of mania (lasting multiple days). Mania is a state of increased energy or agitation. Common symptoms of mania are inflated sense of self-esteem, impulsivity or engaging in reckless behaviors, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increase in goal-directed activities, descreased need for sleep, and increased distractibility. In severe cases, mania can also include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.

Common examples of bipolar disorders include:

• bipolar I – at least one instance of a manic episode (which was severe enough to cause noticeable problems for the person), often followed by a period of depression
• bipolar II – experiences of more mild manic episodes called hypomania, followed by a period of major depression
• cyclothymic disorder – frequent shifts between periods of hypomania and more mild states of depression

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common, yet often misunderstood diagnosis. It is believed that BPD is caused by certain genetic vulnerabilities combined with being raised in invalidating environments. There is often an influence of childhood trauma. Common symptoms of BPD include feeling emotions intensely, fear of abandoment, impulsive/reckless behaviors, inclination for self-injury/suicidal behaviors, periods of dissociation, polarized or “black-and-white” thinking, feelings of emptiness, unstable sense of identity, and instability in interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, the BPD diagnosis often carries stigma. However, once one understands their diagnosis and how to treat it, recovery can be very promising. The gold standard for treatment of BPD is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formerly diagnosed as “ADD”, is a neurological condition that results in problems with focus and attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, or both. Symptoms may include difficulty sitting still, excessive fidgeting, problems concentrating, problems following through with or managing tasks, and excessive talking/interrupting of others. Although experts suspect it was overdiagnosed in children for many years, ADHD is prevalent in both children and adults, especially in the United States.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is another neurological condition that can lead to differences in how one communicates, restricted and intensified interests, sensitivity to outside stimuli, and fixation on repetition with an aversion to change. ASD can present in various levels of “severity”, sometimes leading to significant impairment in daily functioning. The more “mild” version of ASD was formerly diagnosed as Asperger’s Syndrome. ASD is a commonly misunderstood condition, and there is a growing movement to recognize it as a different neurotype rather than a mental health disorder.

Our counselors can be considered “neuro-friendly”. We recognize that neurodivergence (both ADHD and Autism) are common and impact the counseling process. Some of our counselors have a unique specialty in working with neurodivergence, such as Anessa Kemna.

Navigating the emotional and mental health challenges that accompany chronic illness, new diagnoses, and accessibility barriers can be difficult. Therapy offers a space to process these experiences, build resilience, and develop strategies for enhancing well-being and quality of life. Sometimes, disabilities are “invisible” to others, which only compounds the problems. Our counselors are committed to providing understanding, validation, and guidance tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Anessa Kemna, who identifies as a disabled therapist, offers specialized care for people with disabilities and chronic conditions.

Relationships can be both deeply fulfilling and incredibly challenging. Problems of communication, trust, and conflict are not uncommon. In some cases, our relationships suffer due to the influence of past trauma, substance use and addiction, infidelity, or a mental health condition. Our experienced counselors are prepared to help you explore your concerns, build healthier connections, and empower you toward positive change.

We also recognize the complexities of intimate partner violence (IPV) and provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for those seeking guidance and safety. Melissa Weber has extensive experience working with this sensitive issue and is prepared to offer professional guidance and support while protecting your privacy and safety.

We provide a safe, affirming space for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges, including identity exploration, coming out, relationship concerns, and discrimination. This is especially true for people with gender dysphoria or who experience gender outside the binary male-female system. Whether you’re seeking support for personal growth, mental health, or navigating societal and family dynamics, we are here to help. Some of our providers, such as Frankie Salisbury and Anessa Kemna, are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Substance use disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 10 people meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. Substance use becomes a disorder when the use of the substance is causing significant distress in the person’s life. This can occur with alcohol, THC, prescribed/over-the-counter meditations, and street drugs. There are several symptoms to consider, but the most common are an inability to cut-down/stop using, experiencing cravings for the substance, increased amount of use over time, experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon stopping, giving up important activities because of the substance, and experiencing health problems as a result of the substance. The severity of a substance use disorder can be considered mild, moderate, or severe. There are a wide range of methods for recovering from a substance use disorder

Addiction is a brain disease that results in compulsive, persistent use of a substance or behavior despite ongoing negative consequences. Some substance use disorders evolve into addictions. Certain behaviors can be considered addictions as well, such as gambling, sex, video games, work, and more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions). The obsessions cause distress, and the compulsions are performed to ease the distress. This obsessive-compulsive cycle reinforces itself over time and can make daily life feel overwhelming. Therapy for OCD focuses on helping individuals recognize intrusive thoughts, better understand their compulsions, and develop healthier responses to gradually reduce compulsive behaviors. Through evidence-based approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), individuals can regain a sense of control and find freedom from the cycle of OCD.

Frankie Salisbury is experienced in working with OCD.