The world of mental health is very specialized and fragmented, which can leave many of us wondering where to turn. Here at the Downtown Counseling Center, we hope to be a familiar resource for you and those you love, now and in the years to come. We provide services at all stages of life—for adults, children, couples, and families. We also provide group therapy opportunities for a variety of needs. 

Adults 

Adults seek out therapy for a variety of reasons. Maybe we’re experiencing the onset or escalation of symptoms, and we want to do something about it. Maybe there’s a relationship or new circumstance that’s bringing on a lot of stress. Maybe a painful part of our past keeps resurfacing. Maybe it’s none of these, but we generally come to therapy because there’s some experience of pain, and rather than simply go it alone, we hope we can address it with professional help.

We follow a relational model of therapy, which means that a high priority in the therapeutic process is establishing a trusting relationship with our clients. This takes time. Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long and typically run weekly or semi-weekly. We find that it generally takes at least six months and often longer to address in depth any issue you might be facing. Of course, along the way, we will check in with you to get your sense of the process, and it is ultimately up to you to measure the success of therapy. 

College/Young Adult

While college is an unforgettable experience, it is not without its difficulties. The demands to perform well, not just in class, but in one’s personal and social spheres can be exceedingly stressful. Our late teens and early twenties provide the first forays into some of the freedoms of adulthood. And while this can be exhilarating, the stakes also feel high, and we are often left with questions and problems that feel too big to handle alone. During this stage, when big, lifetime decisions are being made, it can often be helpful to have a space to reflect on what matters most, to process difficult emotions, and recognize we don’t have to make a perfect decision all alone. We’re here to explore with you some of the feelings that surface in the midst of it all. 

Children/Adolescents

It can be extremely difficult to see our children struggle. Sometimes our children’s feelings or behaviors are confusing or difficult to interpret, and try as we may to meet their needs in distress, the answer eludes us. Your child may be struggling with behavioral problems at school or at home, having difficulties in their relationships, experiencing anxiety or depression, developing problematic relationships with technology/social media, or needing some support through a challenging loss. Parents know their kids best, and to see them changing can be an alarming experience. We see kids ages 5 to 18, and stand ready to explore with you ways we can help. 

Couples

We provide couples counseling in a variety of contexts, from premarital counseling, which generally takes place in the months leading up to a wedding, to traditional couples therapy, which can include couples who are going through a stressful life change, and couples on the brink of divorce. Our position is that conflict in any relationship is proof that you are, in fact, in a relationship! We all have our innate tendencies and blindspots in relationships, and this comes through most plainly in our most intimate relationships. Often without meaning to or realizing it, the partnerships that once felt intuitive and easy can become challenging, complicated, or distant. 

Unlike the traditional 50-minute session, couples therapy is 90 minutes, and facilitates new ways for couples to more intelligently navigate conflict, move towards acceptance, and connect emotionally.

Families

The majority of our country’s mental health headlines discuss mental health on individual terms, but much of our psychological distress (and healing) stems from our relationships with those in our immediate families. Whether a family is coming to navigate divorce and remarriage, needing support in the midst of addiction, or trying to find a way through some family growing pains, family therapy is an opportunity for any number of family members (one person, two people, five people) to develop a newfound sense of acceptance, compassion, individuality and togetherness in the family system. 

If you are interested in pursuing family therapy, your clinician will discuss with you the best plan of action based on your specific situation. 

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