Susan J. Gillespy, LMFT
Counseling for Individuals, couples and families
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Services Offered
 
Counseling services vary according to the need.  
 
Individual Counseling
Sometimes people are wanting to look at issues regarding life transitions such as career decisions or how to best care for aging parents.  Feelings of depression, anxiety (stress) and feelings of panic are also appropriate issues for focus in individual counseling. It can be hard to ask for help but it can also be very nice to have some support when needed during critical points in life.
 
 
 
 
 
Couples/Marriage Counseling
Couples therapy may be appropriate for people in committed relationships who are needing help with their relationship.  Often matters concerning infidelity, anger, divorce and communication are brought into the consulting room.  Couples therapy for the most part is conducted with both partners in the room but sometimes there are occasions when one or both partners are seen separately.
 
Couples therapy may be done when people are just beginning to committ themselves to one another and are perhaps contemplating marriage.  At this stage of the relationship it can be an ideal opportunity to take off the blinders that come with the early stages of love and look at potential rough areas more objectively.
 
Couples therapy can also be useful when couples are into their married lives and trying to sort out differences in communication, life transitions (such as how best to deal with in-laws or aging parents) and other blips that come up on their radar. 
 
 
Unfortunately many couples wait until their relationship is very strained to try counseling.  Even then, when problems such as arguing, emotional distance in the marriage and infidelity have taken hold, counseling can be a useful tool in resolving problems and getting on with life. 
 
 

 

 

 

  

 

Family Counseling

Issues such as parenting differences, declining school grades, poor communication within the home or trouble with children all fall under the realm of family counseling.  Family counseling may be done with two or more people.  At times individual sessions may be conducted within a family counseling format in order to address special needs. 

 

 Family counseling is also helpful when there are transitions in the family.  When a child leaves home it makes an impression on those left behind.  Or when an active duty service member goes over seas, or when he/she retires, changes and stress can become overwhelming.  Counseling can be useful in helping family members adjust and find their way out of the maze.   

 

 Test and Anxiety Management

Do any of these things sound familiar?

 

  • You sit down to take a test and feel sick.
  • Your mind goes blank even though you know the material.
  • You can't sleep the night before a big exam.
  • You break into a sweat when you sit for an exam.
  • You put off studying because the thought of it is just too much.
  • You get headaches and  an upset stomach on several days prior to  big test.

    •  

    If you answered "yes" to any of the above then you might be struggling with "test anxiety."  Test anxiety can get in the way of passing required exams that can lead to new careers, big raises and improved lifestyles. 

     

    When you enter counseling for test anxiety, you are making a short-term committment to yourself.  The usual course of counseling is four or five hour-long sessions.  You will learn how to manage your anxiety in better ways so that your focus and concentration improve and stay on the testing material.  You will also learn how to calm yourself enough to get through the exam with less stress and more confidence than you have before.  While results cannot be guaranteed, most people show improved test scores and less anxiety -- and sometimes this is transferred to other areas of their lives as well. 

     

    There's no need to dread exams--whether for the SAT, LSAT, MCAT, board certification or other important qualifications.  Do yourself a favor and learn to conquer testing fears.  By doing so you are taking more leadership of your own life.