Services
One-on-one individual talk therapy is most often what people envision when they think about counseling. Talking to a counselor can help you make sense of your experiences, change negative thought patterns or problem behaviors, and expand your understanding of yourself and others. Talk therapy may be used alone or may be woven into other therapeutic approaches such as EMDR and Sandtray Therapy. Talk therapy alone can be helpful in resolving a variety of issues including but not limited to relational issues, grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and negative thought patterns. Medication therapies for anxiety, depression, and bi-polar disorders are found to be more effective when used in conjunction with individual talk therapy.
Some couples seek therapy to repair a damaged relationship. Others seek therapy as a preventative measure to protect and grow what they have created. Still others pursue pre-marital therapy in order to prepare for their future together. There is no wrong time to invest in your happiness together.
Choosing a therapist can be challenging as it is often difficult for couples to come to a agreement on what they both need and want in a therapist. Some general information about couples therapy can be helpful. Our couples and family counselors are specially or specifically trained to provide couples and family counseling. Our counselors and therapists use the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help couples and families rebuild and establish healthy and supportive patterns to help build strong, safe, trusting relationships.
Changes in behavior are often the first signs that children are struggling. While natural, developmental changes are often difficult, sometimes these issues don’t resolve themselves naturally. Changes in behavior may also be the result of something other than the expected transitions of childhood. Some common issues we see with children and teens include problematic behaviors at school or at home, self-harm, parent/child relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem/self-confidence, abuse and trauma, and difficulty adjusting to new situations such as divorce, grief and loss, and those natural life transitions.
You know your child better than anyone and you want what is best for them. That’s why we believe you are a vitally important part of the therapeutic process. We strive not only to help your child, but also to help you help your child. Our services for children and adolescents include regular parent consultation sessions. These sessions offer you your own private time with the counselor or therapist to share your concerns and parenting struggles openly. We encourage parents to make use of this time to share information about their child, information about their own stress and parenting struggles and learn to use new tools to help you and your child manage the difficult times together. Whether or not your child attends these consultation sessions depends on the age of the child, what will be most helpful to you as a parent, and the reason for the consultation.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a research-based approach to treating trauma. It is recognized by the Department of Defense as an effective method for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. It is also used to treat other issues such as addiction, substance abuse, anxiety and panic disorder. The ability to provide EMDR therapy requires specialized training. Our therapists and counselors who offer EMDR have completed this specialized training which qualifies them to provide these services. Our therapists can help determine if EMDR is an appropriate treatment for you given your particular situation.
Sandtray is an experiential technique or method used in individual counseling, group counseling, family therapy, couples counseling, and child and adolescent counseling. Adults, children, and teens often find Sandtray makes it easier to talk about conflict, trauma, grief and loss, or any other issue that is difficult to put into words. Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapists (CHSTs) have been trained and certified specifically in the use of this creative tool to bring about healing and change. Sandtray provides a way for clients to go deeper into emotions, gain self-awareness, and express things they otherwise could not put into words. Our therapists can help determine if sandtray is an appropriate method for you given your particular situation.
Dr. Stillo and Amber Bailey will be accepting new LPC Associates in June, 2021. Dr. Stillo is located in Dallas. Amber Bailey is located in San Antonio.
If you have earned your masters degree and are seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor, we provide LPC supervision. Our supervisees have worked in a variety of settings including in-patient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, mobile crisis, public and private schools, private practices, and non-profit agencies. At The Counseling Spot, our approach to supervision is shaped by our belief that self-awareness and personal growth are integral to our professional development. Dr. Stillo and Amber Bailey help you continue to develop counseling skills, prepare you for private practice (if desired), and help you gain insight into how your own values, beliefs, biases, and previous experiences contribute to your work with clients. If you are interested in LPC supervision and you graduated from a CACREP accredited Master’s degree program, please call our office to schedule a free 30 minute “meet and greet.”