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Empowering you is the primary focus of counseling.
This is your space.
This is your time.
You are in charge.
You tell us what you wish to accomplish.
Our providers focus on getting to know you. What matters to you, what is important? What keeps you going? What is your idea of a fulfilling, meaningful life?
Birch counselors help you identify obstacles that seem to keep you from living the life you want.
Let us help you get back on track.
According to the Association for Psychological Services, only 40 percent of the 60 million people who experience concerns about their emotional health actually seek help.
Common concerns and barriers to seeking assistance involve fear of judgment, or a deep-seated sense of “is this even worth talking about?” Some individuals are too ashamed of their problems, particularly in this age of Facebook, where we are constantly inundated with the airbrushed profiles of what appear to be “perfect lives.”
Contrary to popular opinion, the bravest move you can make is reaching out for help. You may have been raised with the idea of self-reliance: you should be able to solve your problems alone, at most with the assistance of a few trusted friends or family members.
For many of our problems, this may actually be sufficient. For many others, it is not. Examples include addictive behaviors, relationship problems, unexplainable feelings of sadness or a sense of emptiness despite life seemingly going well, excessive worry or anxiety, feeling inadequate or somehow defective. Such problems can trigger shame, which keeps us from reaching out. There is fear of judgment or abandonment, fear of our problems being shared with others.
As mental health professionals, we are bound by law to keep your matters confidential. We offer a neutral perspective, and are trained to help you gain a better understanding of what troubles you. Counselors help guide your thinking in the direction of solutions that are right for you, given the context of your particular life circumstances.
The purpose of counseling is empowerment. It is our goal to help you take charge of your own life. We help you choose goals that are aligned with who you are and what is important to you.
According to the Association for Psychological Sciences, the stigma of seeking help from a mental health provider continue to stop 60 percent of the estimated 60 million people who experience problems with depression, anxiety, substance use, behavioral or relationship concerns.
Those who consider seeking help are often deterred by financial concerns: will my insurance cover this service?
Fortunately, mental health counseling today is covered by most insurance plans.
Birch Counseling is contracted with a number of insurance plans, making care with our providers accessible and affordable.
We would be delighted to assist you with any questions you might have about your insurance coverage for counseling services.
Birch Counseling is so pleased to announce we now accept Blue Cross/Shield Health Insurance, one of the largest providers of insurance nationwide.
In addition to Blue Cross, we accept most PreferredOne plans, UCare, Medica, United, Aetna, UMR, Metropolitan Health, Medical Assistance, ChampVA, Value Options and more.
Like other forms of mental illness, bipolar disorder is often thought of as a character flaw warranting social criticism. Unlike purely physical ailments, we blame the person for their mental state, not the wiring or chemistry of their brain.
This stigma only creates more problems: people avoid seeking help in order to avoid stigma. Those who have received help often feel shame and guilt over their diagnosis.
We need to support each other. If you receive or hear a joke about mental illness, say something. You should know that a number of very creative and talented people have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder: Robert Downey Jr. has been described as the poster child for this illness. Read his story and you’ll know why. The same goes for Robin Williams and a number of others.
Please remember to be kind—everyone is broken in some way. Let’s resolve to understand, rather than judge those who struggle with this disorder.
As 2.6 percent of people suffer from bipolar disorder, there is a probability that you may know someone who will experience the disorder. Given the strong genetic correlation, your chances of developing bipolar disorder increase greatly if another member of your family has been diagnosed with it.
Knowing if a loved one is presenting signs of bipolar disorders is important. Even more importantly, it’s important to know where and how to get help. A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist, along with medication, are essential for treating mania and major depression. Talk therapy can help manage symptoms between episodes, and offer support for families.
With good treatment and support from family and friends, people with bipolar disorders can lead productive lives. However, without treatment, the disorder can have a devastating effect on life and relationships.
Identifying Potential Symptoms
Bipolar disorder, as it is so named, is a disorder of extremes or poles from high to low. Depression and manic states are part of the bipolar cycle.
You may notice that your loved one is sleeping less and less, and has unlimited energy and full of ideas. This person can be pleasant and fun to be around, but it can quickly change to irritability, which can lead to verbal or physical outbursts. You may notice that your loved one is self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to offset the effects of the disorder.
You may see increased use of bad judgment from your loved one. They may spend money recklessly and engage in risky behaviors, including casual and unprotected sex, gambling, driving at high speeds, and generally in places where bad things will happen.
If the symptoms continue without treatment, behaviors can become progressively more threatening.
Approaching the Subject
When speaking to your loved one about their behavior, they may accuse you of being boring, oppressive, or ruining their life. You will need to approach it delicately, as pushing a person in a manic state will lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful conflict.
Your best strategy is to use a combination of listening to your loved one and applying leverage to influence positive behavior, like meeting with a mental health professional.
Leverage isn’t about pushing or forcing, but about providing your loved one a choice. For instance, if you are providing something they need like a car, money or something else of value, you can give them a choice about how to proceed: continue receiving these items by getting help, or choosing to live without them and not receiving help.
Never Give Up
Managing an illness, even after receiving help from mental health professionals is a marathon, not a sprint. Your morale and determination will be tested. As you support your loved one who struggles with the illness, don’t be afraid to ask for your own help. Mental health professionals can assist you with finding the resources you and your loved ones need to manage this difficult illness.