When traditional talk therapy isn’t enough ~

Call me, let’s DIG DEEP and get to the trauma at the ROOT of the concern.

Schedule an EMDR/Brainspotting intensive session and feel better quicker!

I’m glad you’re here, it’s time to invest in yourself!

Who are you outside of your relationships, commitments, or trauma?

Why does everyone get to tell you how you should feel or what you should be doing?

Tell your story your way. Learn to live, intentionally.

It’s never easy to be vulnerable, but it’s so rewarding! I encourage you to get curious and walk in the uncertainty of your situation so that you feel better sooner. I am with you the whole way.

In session, we laugh and there have been times I’ve teared up along with my client. We get real.

I tend to say it like it is, it’s very validating and helps my clients feel comfortable in expressing themselves. I might notice that you’re fidgety or possibly feeling edgy. You might be surprised that I’ve noticed! It’s the attuned relationship. That’s the important part of what we do.

So come on in, bring your coffee or water, take your shoes off put your feet up (some do), and let’s get to work.

Only you know how your story should go ~

It begins with you making the call, let’s get started!

ABOUT ME:

Masters in Counseling-Lindenwood University 2018

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Certified Trauma Professional (CTP)

EMT (retired)

Member: Missouri Crisis Intervention Team (missouricit.org)

Member: Am Counseling Assoc of Mo (ACAM)

Member: EMDRIA St Louis

Member: International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Assoc. (ILEETA)

Member: St Louis Hero Network https://stlheronetwork.com/events/

Certifications:

CBT

Brainspotting

Trauma

My approach ~

The world is difficult enough right now, I try to keep things simple.

In the first session we’re getting to know each other. My office, my style of working, your expectations and goals for our session time. You should absolutely be comfortable and look forward to your sessions with me.

We’ll talk about why you’re there. Sounds funny but there have been times when some folks don’t know, and there are those that know exactly what the problem is but other therapy sessions haven’t worked for them. Could be you or someone you know realized something isn’t right but not sure what to do from there. We’ll talk about all of these things.

Why am I different from other therapists? I say it like it is. I allow you the space and encourage you to say what you need to. You may not be used to that. Sometimes I challenge you to think about the hard stuff. And, the space to breath…really…

Think about it, when was the last time you took a deep breath and felt your belly expand? Maybe your shoulders hurt when you tried or you felt that deep breath in your back? Right? and when is the last time you said “Next time I’ll…” - now is that time.

While breathing might be trivial, everyone has to do it to survive BUT are you experiencing your life and noticing the moments, the breaths? Or are you so dissociative you’re just going through the motions to get by?

It might be time to call me.

We’ll come up with your individual plan on how you can feel better, we’ll process any ‘stuckness’ you’re experiencing. We’ll welcome the uncertainty of it all. You’ll probably notice a difference after the first session, no promises because everyone is different, but you have to start sometime.

What are you waiting for?

See more: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

Maybe you’ve gone through life thinking it was ok to be traumatized, it’s ok that people take advantage of you, it’s ‘normal’ that relationships are stressful and demanding, isn’t everyone stressed right now? You have family obligations, you’ll wait until the kids are grown and on their own…Maybe…but how do you feel right now? Notice that little thing that comes up once in awhile, you push it aside or keep so busy you don’t notice

brainspotting.com for more info and SEBI—Southeast Brainspotting Institute

https://www.southeastbrainspottinginstitute.com/page-18078

There is no standard normal. Normal is subjective. There are seven billion versions of normal on this planet.

~ Matt Haig

My clients are:

  • Victims of Narcissist Abuse

    Whether it’s a parent or partner, and more than likely you’ve know several throughout your lifetime.

    You’re tired of having to wait to feel good only to have it taken away by their angry outbursts or accusations. Could be subtle-gaslighting, they get to you when you least expect it. Right when you think you have them figured out, they got to you again. No worries, it get’s better. We’ll talk about that.

    It’s not your fault that these things are happening but you always get blamed. Understand gaslighting, this is what might be happening. Stop the cycle and get your power back! Let’s work on a plan to help you move forward with confidence.

  • Developmental Trauma

    This is the breakdown of your foundational existence-a neurological state.

    Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is a condition characterized by chronic and multifaceted adverse experiences during childhood.

    It can have long-term impacts on mental health, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships.

    Treatment approaches include trauma-informed care and evidence based interventions to help children heal from developmental trauma disorder. Different from PTSD which is more episodic.

    Call now for help and understanding.

  • Life Transitions

    You’re suffering the loss of a loved one or maybe had a significant life change, job loss, change in relationship. You’re not sure who you are now or how to get back to what you thought life was supposed to be. Whatever it is, you want to experience your life.

    What’s it all about anyway? Let’s find out-it’s different for everyone.

    I can help you with a plan on how to choose yourself and live with intention everyday. Stop missing out and start living!

  • First Responders

    First Responders face a variety of issues in the course of one on duty shift. They may experience things such as injury, anxiety, burnout, and depression.

    It is not uncommon for First Responders to experience some distress in response to a traumatic event, even when these events are faced routinely.

    You get that one call that puts you over the edge. You might experiencing PTSD or compassion fatigue but your not sure. You just know things don’t feel the same.

    Feel safe to talk about the difficulties of the job with someone that understands the culture and holds space for you to be able to express those thoughts even if you’re not sure how you feel about it.

    Maybe it’s not the job, that’s ok too. Come on in and tell me about it.

  • Anxiety

    Whether it’s social anxiety or an everyday kind of thing.

    Let’s talk about it!

    Let’s talk about what is keeping you from expressing yourself the way you’d like to. Stop missing out on life situations and events, begin to feel more comfortable speaking your mind or at least express yourself freely.

    Let’s work on a plan to get you where you’d like to be.

  • Groups

    Groups

    Support for Narcissist Abuse

    3rd Wednesday of the month

    Time: 6p/ 90 minutes

    Cost: $5

    https://www.meetup.com/stl-narcissism-awareness-support-meetup-group/

    _______________________

    First Responder Support group

    When: First Wednesday of the month

    Time: 6p/90 minutes

    Where: 930 Kehrs Mill Rd 325/13 Ballwin 63011

    No fee

Sessions and Rates ~

Brainspotting and EMDR Intensives -

Intensives are exactly what they sound like, ‘work concentrated in a single area or subject, done in a short amount of time’. It can be very thorough and is sometimes intense. You might be a little tired afterwards that’s because of the nature of the process.

It’s more than a conversation, it’s mindfulness, body and brain work done in an attuned way. I encourage you to stay curious in the uncertainty of the process and not avoid the discomfort because that may come up. We process what you have been subconsciously avoiding. It’s very rewarding and validating.

I make sure you’re safe, meaning not too overwhelmed and breathing properly, and we continue to process. We debrief after each session and make sure you’re in a good space before you leave.

Dress comfortable, we take breaks as needed. Some people bring a snack for the longer days, I have coffee, tea and water if needed. You can absolutely bring your coffee or water as desired as well.

Intensives benefit:

  • Medical trauma

  • Loss of a loved one

  • Witness or involved in car accident or difficult experiences / memories

  • Anxiety

  • First Responders

  • Victims of abuse in adulthood or childhood

  • Life transition, new/old job, new living situation

  • Stress of life

  • Physical pains and sensations. 

  • General feeling of being “stuck”

    __________________________________________

    If you’re ready to -

  • Re-regulate your nervous system

  • Bring your thoughts and feelings about a situation onto the same page

  • Quit feeling consumed by your thoughts

  • Feel more comfortable in your body

  • Quiet your mind and calm your body

  • Release tension, stress, anxiety, anger, and fear from your body

  • Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your lived experiences

    Call now to schedule your Intensive ~

Counseling rates for individuals 18+, or couples

Intake 90 minutes - $225

_______________________

50 minutes – $175

90 minutes – $225

120 minutes – $300

**Over 120 minutes see Intensives

_______________________

Intensives:

This means you could meet with me anywhere from 1 to 5 days for 4-8 hours per day.

Let’s get to the root of what’s going on quicker.

We’ll gather information and discuss what we’ll process. We discuss resourcing and grounding techniques.

* With 1/2 or full-day processing we can process 1-2 incidents (based on individual results)

  • We will also decompress from the processing, revisit resourcing, and next steps

    _________________________________

    Packages:

  • 3 hour $425/ 1/2 day

  • 4 hour $575 / 1 day

  • 8 hours $1250 / 1-2 days

  • 16 hour $2500 / 4 day

  • 20 hour $3100 / 5 day

    *Sessions will be tailored to fit individual*


Sessions are in person or online

*Low rates for First Responders

Books and Blogs

Blogs - Coming Soon

Books

Greenlights - Matthew McConaughey

I’m Glad My Mom Died - Jeanette McCurdy

Enough Already -Valerie Bertanelli

When Breath Becomes Air -

Generations Deep-Gina Birkemeier, LPC

The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People

Think Like a Monk - Jay Shetty

Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A guide for officers

The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk

Women Who Love Too Much: When You Keep Wishing and Hoping He'll Change

Codependent No More

Meditation Apps

Calm

Insight Timer

Balance

Expand

Headspace

 

Get started with

Responding First Counseling today!

Office is conveniently located in Ballwin, Mo.

Can’t make it into the office? No worries – we’ve got you covered with tele-health

Responding First Counseling

930 Kehrs Mill Rd

Ballwin, Mo. 63011/Suite 325-13

Gina R Sokolich MA, LPC, CTP

With Murphy