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814-244-2239

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Counseling Services and Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression, anxiety and trauma based mental health challenges.

Counseling/Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common type of talk therapy. You work with a mental health counselor in a structured way, attending a limited number of sessions (9-12 sessions on average).  


CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.


CBT can be a very helpful tool either alone or in combination with other therapies in treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an anxiety disorder.  But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. 


CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a directive form of counseling that focuses on the role that thoughts play in our emotions and behavior. This involves education about mental health, problem solving and a variety of other interventions. 


 "The universe is guided from within" 

                                                                                   Helena Blavatsky


All of Choices clinicians are extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. CBT will help you dissect your thinking process to identify mental mistakes and outline some clear and effective ways to improve your life. Our goal is for you to GET BETTER rather than just feel better. 


Adam Kleinman was trained by leading CBT researcher, author, therapist and the head of the National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, Dr. Aldo Pucci, Psy,D. and will provide clinical oversight throughout your treatment. 

Trauma therapy using mental health services to treat trauma, depression and anxiety.

Trauma Therapy Treatment

 What is a trauma therapy?


Trauma-Focused Therapy is a specific approach to therapy that recognizes and emphasizes understanding how the traumatic experience impacts an individuals mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. 


 What are the 3 types of trauma?


There are three main types of trauma: Acute, Chronic, or Complex. 

Acute trauma results from a single incident. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse. Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature. 


Choices therapists will blend a variety of techniques to reduce the power post traumatic symptoms have in your life. Therapy for trauma focuses on reducing the frequency, intensity and duration of trauma symptoms. 


You want to work with a counselor who uses evidence based interventions with a proven track record of success. Choices is that place. 

Depression, anxiety and trauma based treatment for short term therapy to find quick success.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach, which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices, and which helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. 


 What are the three rules of Solution-Focused Therapy? The principles of SFBT can be summarized as “listen, select, and build.” More specifically: The focus is on building solutions rather than solving concerns. 


The therapist assumes you already possess solution-building abilities and listens intently to try to identify cues in your discussion to support this. 

Existential Therapy

 Existential therapy focuses on the anxiety that occurs when a client confronts the conflict inherent in life. 


The role of the therapist is to help the client focus on personal responsibility for making decisions, and the therapist may integrate some humanistic approaches and techniques. 


 What are existential therapy techniques? 


Many existential therapists also make use of basic skills like empathic reflection, Socratic questioning, and active listening. Some may also draw on a wide range of techniques derived from other therapies such as psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered, somatic, and Gestalt therapy. 


What are the 4 components of existential theory? 


This is known as 'existential anxiety' and is a normal outcome of facing the four ultimate concerns in life: death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. Once existential anxiety is recognized, it can be dealt with constructively. 

Mindfulness reduces anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms with relaxation and MBSR techniques.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness teaches individuals to cultivate a greater awareness of the present moment. By increasing their mindfulness, participants aim to reduce their overall arousal and emotional reactivity and gain a deeper sense of calm and relaxation.  


All of choices counselors practice some degree of mindfulness therapy in sessions. The benefits to understanding and being able to maintain in the present moment are endless.

Humanistic Psychology Approach

 Humanistic psychology is a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole individual and stresses concepts such as free will, self-efficacy, and self-actualization. 


Rather than concentrating on dysfunction, humanistic psychology strives to help people fulfill their potential and maximize their well-being. 


 What does humanistic psychology focus on?


Humanistic psychology stresses the inherent value of human beings and focuses on their ability and willingness to maintain dignity while growing in self-respect and competence. 

The flash technique

Memory Reconsolidation

The flash technique is a revolutionary new intervention that promotes healing from traumatic situations. This technique utilizes a variety of different interventions working within the EMDR framework to process traumatic situations below the level of awareness. 


In 1958 the United States banned the use of subliminal messaging in music, advertising and movies. Why was subliminal messaging removed? Because it works. Flash utilizes the same principles as subliminal messaging but with a twist. It uses this principle to install positive images instead of negative. This can speed up the EMDR standard protocol process and help get you better quickly.


The flash technique will utilize a series of blinks and bilateral stimulation to work on installing a positive and engaging image. The flash technique can be utilized with eyes open or closed. You will come up with a traumatic memory and then flash positive memories to reduce the level of trauma and distress associated with the initial image.


Container interventions are also utilized to put the disturbing image in a book or other "container". This will help you contain and learn to compartmentalize your traumatic situation so you can stay present and stabilized in your day to day life. 


Whether it be a car wreck, a robbery or other traumatic situation flash can help. Flash can be an integral part of the EMDR standard protocol process.

Flash is a version of EMDR therapy that can reduce symptoms of anxiety associated with trauma.

" I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions" Steven Covey

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing  therapy for Trauma and Depression. EMDR therapy.

Is Your Therapist Trauma Certified?

There may be many therapists out there, but few are Certified Trauma Therapists. Your average counselor has only minimal training with trauma therapy. I took the time and worked until I received full certification in trauma therapy. 


Many psychological issues are caused by negative and traumatizing events in the past. This does not mean that you meet the criteria for PTSD, it only means that it is highly likely that some bad things happened to you (they happen to everyone) and had an effect on you. 


As the clinical director, Adam Kleinman will ensure that you receive top care from all Choices clinicians. 


EMDR is a specialized and complicated technique for therapists to learn. I was skeptical about EMDR at first, but after experiencing EMDR both personally and professionally I have seen the results and they are undeniable. 


I pledge to continue advancing my training in EMDR and any technique that can help me to better serve my clients and help my staff to continually evolve. 

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a groundbreaking method that safely and effectively helps you resolve and permanently get over traumatic memories. First, you will learn how to visualize the traumatic image and attach meaning to it. Then you will work through the process. 


It is done in a gradual manner until your traumatic memories are reprocessed and given new meaning. 


You will list your traumas and rate them from 0-10. Then your therapist will systematically work through each and reduce it to as low a number as possible. For example, you may have had a car wreck that is an 8 on the trauma scale. Your therapist will work with you to reduce it to as close to 0 as it can get. When the memory is processed it will have less power over you and free up your mind to deal with other pursuits. 


Choices has fully Certified and extensively trained EMDR therapists. Feel free to contact us for more information. 

More than 20 Randomized Studies show EMDR effective

EMDR is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to have an 80 percent success rate with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 


EMDR stimulates our brain's natural ability to process life events so that we can let go of the emotional distress connected to our past. 

EMDR is now accepted as a treatment of choice by numerous mental health departments and trauma organizations. More than twenty randomized studies support EMDR therapy as an effective and efficient treatment of trauma. 

EMDR TESTIMONIALS for choices counseling and therapist services

EMDR research and evidence base

Download PDF

EMDR and depression meta analysis

Download PDF

EMDR and the treatment of anxiety

Download PDF

Link to EMDR international Association for information, research and resources

https://www.emdria.org/

Attachment Based Therapy

How Attachment Work Helps

  Attachment work utilizes the relationship with others as the central theme. Starting with your parents, you gradually learned how to relate to people. If the relationship with your parents was negative and traumatizing, you are likely experiencing symptoms from that. 


 "The parent-child connection is the most powerful mental health intervention known to mankind"

                                                                                                 Bessel van der Kolk


This can affect all relationships, friendships, marriages and any situation in which you interact with other people. Think of attachment along a spectrum, the closer to secure attachment you get, the more rewarding and healthy your relationships will become. 


Types of attachment styles are: dismissive-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, disorganized and secure. The goal of attachment work is to attain a secure attachment. In session, your counselor may explain the different type of attachment styles in depth. 


  "Play is the work of childhood"               Jean Piaget 


You will see instant benefits in the way you view yourself in relation to others. When a secure attachment is achieved people are able to trust, develop relationships and also have confidence in themselves. 


Attachment Based Therapy for Depression, Trauma and Anxiety. Counseling services Johnstown, Pa.

Marriage Counseling in Johnstown, PA

This video outlines Clinical Director Adam Kleinman's philosophy on Couples and Marriage Counseling. Choices provides Marriage/Relationship Therapy in Johnstown.


Make your brain user friendly

Choices helps your brain adapt to new situations.  Reduce depression and anxiety. Counseling therapy

Your Brain

Your brain has 100 trillion connections.  This is important to understand when you're working to unlock the full potential of your mind.  


Traumatic and toxic situations create an environment in your brain that is not ideal for learning.  


As you understand how your brain works it functions more efficiently and effectively.  


We work with the understanding that inside you there's a part that is undamaged and unhurt.  


As you process through your core issues you become less reactive and better able to logically view situations and adapt to new challenges. 

Goals at reducing depression, anxiety and trauma based disorders. Counseling and therapy services.

Goals

We call mental health issues challenges rather than disorders.  The reason why we use this language is because the way you describe something matters.  If you categorize mental health challenges as a disorder your more likely to view it as a stigmatizing and difficult to treat issue.

 

It is simply a challenge that you must find a way to work through.  Quickly within the first session we will complete the evaluation and come up with specific goals to help move you forward.  We will identify core goals and help you move towards them. 

Trauma Therapist

EMDR counseling and therapy services to Johnstown, Altoona and Pittsburgh, PA. Depression anxiety tx

State grant supports training of therapists on trauma connected with sexual abuse.

Just click on this to read the article. 

Blog

Book Recommendations

Complex PTSD- From Surviving to Thriving

Pete Walker 

The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel Van Der Kolk

No bad parts: healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the internal family systems model

Richard C. Swartz, PHD

Attached

Amir Levine and Rachel Heller

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made simple: 10 strategies for managing anxiety and depression

Seth J. Gillihan, PhD

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey

Transforming the Living legacy of trauma

Janina Fisher, PhD

Helpful Apps

Calm

Headspace

Let's Meditate

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