Counseling Services
Pamela Milam, LPC, MA

My role as your counselor is to share ideas, stimulate thought, respect your individual struggles and abilities, and be a creative part of your movement toward your specific goals. As we work as a team, you will become better acquainted with your own strengths and have a better understanding of the areas you would like to strengthen. In short, our collaborative goal is to promote your emotional well-being.

My experience has been with:

• Issues of grief and loss
• Depression
• Anger Management
• Relationship Problems
• Abortion Issues
• Adjustment Difficulties
• Mind/Body Pain Management
• Spiritual Conflicts
• Gay Identity/Coming Out
• Life Transitions
• Career Decisions
• Self-Esteem

 My approach to most counseling issues is eclectic, although I tend to rely heavily on the Existential approach. Existential counseling utilizes the uniqueness of the individual along with the universality of specific life problems. This approach reminds the client that freedom, choice, and responsibility play a large role in most conflicts. Through the use of existential thought and exploration, the client will discover areas of greater strength, control, and resolve. However, our counseling sessions will be guided by the client, not by the counselor's philosophies or ideologies.

APPOINTMENTS:
Appointment hours are convenient and fees are flexible. I accept cash, money orders, and some insurance plans on an out-of-network basis. Insurance plans vary greatly, so call ahead for more information.

OUTSIDE REFERRALS:
If your situation or issue is one that is outside my area of expertise, I will give you a list of referral options. This might mean that I will refer you to group counseling, inpatient treatment, psychiatric treatment for medical management, or simply to another counselor or psychologist who might have a specialty in dealing with your issues. You are free to choose from the list of options I provide or explore your own options.

MY BELIEFS:

• Clients have the freedom to choose their own behaviors and attitudes
• Clients have the creativity to find better ways to live
• Clients have the intelligence to seek help & guidance when necessary
• Clients have the right to set their own agenda for the counseling process
• Clients have the right to expect respect, dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and non-discrimination

BENEFITS OF COUNSELING:
Everyone experiences stress or difficulty in life. Most people can benefit at some point from counseling. Counseling has the ability to make you more aware of your own patterns, prevent you from feeling isolated, bring you into greater psychological fitness, and strengthen your understanding of yourself. Counseling, if used conscientiously, can help repair relationships, bring clarity of thought and vision, and resolve long-standing problems. Counseling can engage your brain, your heart, and often your sense of humor. It is important for both the counselor and the client to respect this process and commit to it.

Listed: 2-6-03

Office