mental health ::

Love yourself enough to seek help with addictions this Valentine’s Day

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

There is no doubt that substance abuse and addiction is difficult during every season of the year. Once the rush of the holiday season, balancing work and holiday time off, and a long few days of travel to see friends and family is over; all that is left is getting back to ‘normal’. January is a month full of change and resolutions, so making time to cope with personal hardships (like addiction and substance abuse) is put at the bottom of your to-do list. As February approaches, the usual hustle of preparing for a magical and romantic Valentine’s Day for you and a significant other, spouse, or partner takes priority. This reveals the real question: is there ever time to get help for myself?

Realizing that you are important enough to get help is the first step on your journey to navigate out of the dark path of addiction and substance abuse to a healthier life. The problems associated with addiction and substance abuse seem to start out slowly and pick up speed in what seems like no time at all. Using and abusing substances affects your life, the life of your friends, family members, children, co-workers, and everyone else you interact with on a daily basis. What began as a coping method for stress or an activity during your downtime quickly becomes a lifestyle and the center point of many more problems. To take charge of the cycle of use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is often the hardest part of the recovery and healing process; and takes courage and support. The process of recovery requires resources to get the help that you need in order to control the substances that have a strong grip on your personal life. Mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment are the vital next steps in the process of your recovery. Overall, wanting to live your life as the healthiest and most well person you can be is reason enough to seek help for addictions for the holiday of celebrating love. Loving yourself enough to get help is a magical and romantic thing that can give you back a healthy fresh start to your relationship with yourse

Erika McCaghren

Categories : Addiction, Addiction Recovery, Alcohol, Change, Depression, Drugs, Emotions, Mental Health, Perscription Painkillers, Relationships, Sexual Addiction, substance abuse, Therapy

Tags : addictions, change, counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, substance abuse

Love yourself enough to seek help with addictions this Valentine's Day

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Erika McCaghren

Categories : Addiction, Addiction Recovery, Alcohol, Change, Depression, Drugs, Emotions, Mental Health, Perscription Painkillers, Relationships, Sexual Addiction, substance abuse, Therapy

Tags : addictions, change, counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, substance abuse

Welcome to our newest counselor!

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Pinnacle Counseling is proud to announce the addition of another skilled counselor to our staff. We are thrilled to announce Reagan Funkhouser, LCSW, as an asset in finding ways to better serve our clients in the future. More information about Reagan is located on our main website (https://www.pinnaclecounselingnwa.com) under the “Our Counselors” tab. We look forward to seeing her talents and skills improve our ability to continue to serve the population of Northwest Arkansas.

Categories : Change, Mental Health, Therapy

Tags : counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, therapy

Did you know Pinnacle Counseling serves children and families?

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Pinnacle Counseling offers counseling for children, ages 5-17, and their families. A therapist with advanced training and experience in working with young people will meet with the child in our play room designed specifically to provide a safe environment for children to express themselves. Play is believed to be the language of children, when they do not have the vocabulary, insight, or courage to process things verbally. Through carefully selected toys, games, books, activities, art mediums, and purposeful play children can make sense of their lives, heal, and learn new skills. Counseling for children can address different types of issues including reaction to stressors such as divorce or loss, traumas of all kinds, problems with family bonding and relationships, anxiety and depression, disruptive behavior, aggression, school problems, and ADHD.

How do you know if your child needs counseling?

Children often react physically and behaviorally to stressors rather than just putting their problems into words. This could because they don’t have the words or don’t have the insight to understand what is happening inside themselves. Looks for signs like changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping patterns including having nightmares, regression in behaviors (e.g, potty accidents, thumb sucking, baby talk), crying and tearful episodes, “touchy” and short fused moods, and withdrawing from people and activities they used to enjoy.

What is play therapy? How will it help my child?

Play therapy is a specific type of treatment, based on theory and principles. It is more than just typical play time, although your child may not realize that. The trained therapist uses different avenues in the session to help the child express themselves and learn new skills for coping. The therapist can also discuss with parents themes that come up in the child’s play, indicating areas of concern. As the child plays out things and engages in activities during session, he or she will get similar benefits to an adult spending an hour talking with a therapist.

If you have further questions or feel our services are needed for your child or family, please let us know! Visit our website at www.pinnaclecounselingNWA.com for contact information.

Rachael Nachtigal, LPC

Categories : Change, children, Emotions, family counseling, Mental Health, Parenting, play therapy, Teens

Tags : children, counseling, family therapy, mental health, pinnacle counseling, play therapy, therapy

Why your summer reading list is a form of bibliotherapy

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Bibliotherapy involves using books, stories, and other forms of literature to help “reach” someone in counseling. This type of treatment does not have to include the typical list of self-help books aimed at bettering yourself by looking inward and also does not have to be doing strictly in the counseling office. You can work towards a better understanding of yourself by using your summer reading list as a form of bibliotherapy. The introspection while reading can be conscious, subconscious, direct, or indirect. You do not have to pick up a book with the intent to read, process, understand, and “feel better” immediately after reading. The phases of bibliotherapy are as diverse as the books on your summer reading list. If you pick up the latest in ‘chick lit’ from the New York Times Bestseller list, you will be taken on a romantic, witty, and likely dramatic ride through the trials of being a twenty-something in the wake of dating, job hunting, and balancing life as a young woman. On the other hand, if you choose a young adult Sci-Fi novel, you will fall into a world of the adventure of slaying dragons and finding yourself on a journey to discovering who you are and want to be. No matter what you read and what you try to get out of a book or reading, you can find something unexpected. The bibliotherapy you get comes from the journey you take with the main characters and how you apply it to your own life. This can come in the form of a favorite fantasy story to take your mind off of an 8 hour work day or could help you realize what it is in life that you truly value. Your summer reading list takes you on a quest through the words on a page to a place where you can be yourself and enjoy the story. On the path to enjoying any type of literature, you form the opinions, insights, and learn to embrace the acceptance of yourself and the joy that comes from walking in another character’s shoes, whether they are red ruby slippers or hiking boots stained with blood of a mythical creature.

Erika McCaghren

Categories : Change, Emotions, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Therapy

Tags : bibliotherapy, counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, summer reading, therapy

Psychotherapy

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

The first word of this compound word says it all “psycho”. No one wants to be associated with something that is strange, difficult to handle, and perhaps the worst of all: a scary, new experience. If you were to ask a friend or family member what psychotherapy is, they would most likely say something about paying a lot of money to talk about problems (and that’s putting it nicely). If you were to ask a counselor or therapist, we would describe it as a chance to be heard, without judgment through the ears and eyes of a professional, in the comfort and safety of a confidential session. The talking part might be easy…or hard depending on how you view your problems. If providing a safe place where clients can talk about whatever it is that is troubling them is the job of the counselor, what is your job as a client in psychotherapy? What do you have to know before you even walk through the door? Most first time clients wonder how we expect you to tell everything that you are thinking and feeling after just meeting.

These are common questions that can be answered. A client simply has to make the appointment with a counselor or therapist and come ready for the experience. Okay…that may seem a bit more intimidating than helpful, but it’s the truth. If you are open to the experience of psychotherapy as something completely different and refreshing you are on the road to understanding what it is and how it works. Before you walk through the door, you should know that you are not alone. Every single person you pass on the street has a past, a story, a journey. That road is paved with troubles, hardships, and bumps that throw off your sense of balance as you walk the road. This is where you have to believe that there are trained professionals ready to help and to listen to you. Why would a counselor want to listen to all of the “bumps” along the way in your life? Because we are trained to provide the safe haven for you to explore the inner workings of what is really going on in your life. There is no façade, just a real and honest experience with another person to ensure that you don’t trip on the bumps of life and walk, silent and hurting, through the rest of life.

If you are working through the bumps in your life and decide that the word psychotherapy is not as scary as facing it on your own…that is what we are here for.

Erika McCaghren

Categories : Addiction Recovery, Alcohol, Anxiety, Change, children, Depression, Drugs, Emotions, family counseling, Grief, Marriage Counseling, Meditation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Relationships, substance abuse, Therapy, Trauma

Tags : counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, psychotherapy, therapy

Depression? Stress? Anxiety? Do you see these in yourself?

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Oftentimes life weighs heavy and the idea of pushing through another day, another meeting, another list of demands of another thing, another meeting or another day, feels impossible! Even the though we know that it would be better if we take care of ourselves, we’re still unable to cope with yet another ‘have to’…another responsibility. So how can we relieve the pressure and find what we need?

It’s actually easier and more accessible than you think. The relief starts with the awareness of what we are physically feeling. Our bodies are the key to emotional and physical relief. By Paying attention to the pounding of your chest, while in traffic and taking a breath, will change the thought from: “I must be there NOW!” to: “I’ll get there as quickly as I can.” By Listening to the tension in your shoulders, and learning how and when to relax them will change your life. Learning to think about the kind words you might offer a friend will change how your body feels.

Learning the messages we say to ourselves are harsher than words you would use when you’re mad at someone you don’t like! The awareness of your body and thoughts, bring about self-care. This all must really starts with a desire for relief and a small willingness to understand self-compassion! As you become more aware of the feedback your body gives you when you think negatively of yourself, you’ll begin to have more relief. This is the beginning of learning how you can control one thing to reduce your stress. The practice of your thoughts in self-acceptance is the beginning of the NEW you! You really are good enough! You are exactly where you need to be!

Torie Sullivan, LPC

Categories : Affirmations, Anxiety, Change, Depression, Emotions, Meditation, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Relationships, Therapy

Tags : counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, stress, stress relief, therapy

The Impact of Bullying

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Bullying is not only in the school system. It lives on long past the days of homeroom classes and lunch with friends. It lives on in the memory and creates an impact on your self-esteem, self-worth, and how you interact with those around you. Undoubtedly, bullying in some shape or form affects everyone on a variety of levels, whether the victim, perpetrator, or bystander. Employees at Disneyland, known as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’, shared a video titled “It Gets Better”, about personal stories of bullying and feelings of being alone that were caused by bullying. The video is a tribute to the Trevor project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/), a national anti-bullying campaign for LGBTQ youth, going strong since its founding in 1998. The strong message of hope after there seemed to be nothing but darkness and depression shines through in the people who bring joy on the job every single day. Each and every person carries their story and truth and no matter the struggle…

“No life is a one person show. You need to surround yourself with the people who love you for who you are and encourage you to share with the world the unique gifts that you have to offer.”

Next time you are feeling alone, reach out and always remember that it gets better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCSUfFStTQE

Erika McCaghren

Categories : Anxiety, bullying, children, Depression, Emotions, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Parenting, Relationships, Teens, Therapy

Tags : bullying, counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, therapy

Communication While in Conflict

By Pinnacle Counseling

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

When in the midst of conflict with a friend, family member, or loved one, inability to communicate can cause frustration, anxiety and even depression for everyone involved. Communication is essential to effectively resolving relational conflict, but how can one make sure good communication happens? Here are some questions that might help you as you attempt to communicate during conflict:

1. Are you prepared?
Chances are, during a conflict, you have some words that you want to say to the other person involved. However, in the heat of the moment, you may say things you don’t actually mean and cause more damage to the relationship. Before confronting the individual about an issue, spend time preparing what you might want to say. You may even want to write an outline, if the conflict is complicated and emotionally charged.

2. Is this the right time?
Part of the preparation process involves choosing a good time and place to communicate about the conflict. If your spouse is having a busy day at work or at home, don’t confront them as they are going into a meeting or cleaning up a massive mess made by the kids at home. If possible, agree upon a particular time or place to talk about the issue, when other tasks can be laid aside.

3. Are you focused?
As much as possible, remove all distractions that could hinder effective communication. Turn off the TV, shut the door, put your phone on silent, and focus solely on the person with whom you want to communicate. This will show that you are invested in finding a solution.

4. What is your body language saying?
Your body posture says a lot about your attitude during communication. If you want someone to know that you are listening, look at them while they’re talking, and not somewhere else. Don’t hover over the person angrily, or walk away as they are talking. Try your best to sit calmly and make eye-to-eye contact.

5. Are you using “I” statements?
Instead of saying “You make me feel ________,” say, “When you do this, I feel ________.” The latter shows that you are taking responsibility for your feelings, while still acknowledging the behavior of the other person

6. Are you making global accusations?
When trying to prove a point, it’s easy to say things like “You always ignore me!” or “You are just an irresponsible person!” Work to make more fair evaluations of the individual. You might say, “When you do _____, I feel like you are ignoring me,” or “There are times that you behave irresponsibly.” These types of statements indicate that, while at times the person may behave in ways that are hurtful, there are also times when they do not.

7. Are you showing appreciation?
Lastly, thank the listener for agreeing to speak with you about the conflict, and thank them for listening to you as you communicate. A little appreciation can go a long way in encouraging effective communication!

Kalli Hendren

Categories : Anxiety, Change, Emotions, family counseling, Marriage Counseling, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Relationships, Therapy

Tags : communication, conflict, counseling, mental health, pinnacle counseling, relationships, therapy

The environment is so relaxing and so much more welcoming than other facilities.

My therapist has been able to offer a different perspective or reframe my train of thought into something easier to process and deal with on…

Our therapist has been fantastic at getting my anti-counseling husband engaged in our sessions and working on fixing our marriage. He is really good.

My therapist is a very friendly, enjoyable person. She is easily relatable and feels like a friend giving you good advice and a listening ear……

Our therapist has been very helpful this year helping our son move from angry, destructive behaviors to more productive ones. There is still a lot…

Our therapist has given my husband and I ideas on how to communicate better with each other and helped us understand each other better.

My therapist taught me so many practical tools to help me work through my anxiety!

From the very first meeting, I have felt comfortable talking to my therapist. I like that he thinks “outside the box” sometimes when we are…

My therapist has an outstanding understanding of core issues not obvious for me. She opened my eyes more every day.

My sessions have been very meaningful and rewarding and I feel I’m making excellent progress thus far. I initially thought I would feel very embarrassed…

Our therapist has really made a good environment for us to talk and reflect!

So pleased that I came to see my therapist. She has helped me so much and my life has changed significantly for the better.

Our therapist is such a sweet lady. I look forward every week to tell her about my life. She helps me out and makes me…

We are delighted with the improvement we have had since coming. Life is much happier at our house.

I am eternally grateful to you for helping me to overcome that [trauma] incident. For the first time in 40 years, I didn’t drink or…

I am more comfortable with my counselor in this short time than I was with my past therapist who I saw for a year.

She was always there to listen and always broke down everything I was going through and made me see things from a different perspective and…

Our therapist has been a huge help to our family in this time of need. Her ability to connect with our daughter is unprecedented and…

I’ve been very pleased with my therapist. My kids have gone to 2 other counselors and she has exceeded our expectations. We are so glad…

I called to make my first appointment and got one same day! That may have just been good luck, but it was great to be…

The counselors have been so patient and helpful! They listen to each of our concerns and offer great insight and ideas to try!

I was in a dark place before contacting Pinnacle Counseling. After the first session I felt a lot better. The counselor said she noticed a…

It was comforting to know my husband and I could both open up and share our true feelings and fears without judgment. I really appreciate…

Thank you for the gentle, supportive care. I especially like the privacy before and after appointments and the peaceful environment. I still have a long…

This is my first experience with any form of counseling, however, it has been an excellent experience. This has helped me and my wife reconnect…

I was so happy to be able to see a counselor within 24 hours of sending an e-mail requesting an appointment during a time of…

Archive for: mental health

Love yourself enough to seek help with addictions this Valentine’s Day

Love yourself enough to seek help with addictions this Valentine's Day

Welcome to our newest counselor!

Did you know Pinnacle Counseling serves children and families?

Why your summer reading list is a form of bibliotherapy

Psychotherapy

Depression? Stress? Anxiety? Do you see these in yourself?

The Impact of Bullying

Communication While in Conflict

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