what to expect
Dr. Bates views the counseling process as a real relationship between people.
Counseling and psychotherapy sessions
Dr. Bates can help you develop goals to help clarify your situation, consider your options, and make decisions. You will be empowered to make choices that lead to a more fulfilled and integrated life.
Identity Issues
Dr. Bates is trained to meet the needs of those struggling with identity related issues, including learning to affirm self, learning to affirm others, and integrating one’s identity into various aspects of their lives and relationships. Developing a sense of self – an identity – is a key component of the maturation process for every individual. Unresolved identity issues can lead to depression, hopelessness, addiction, and more, so they must be addressed efficiently.
Depression & Grief
Believe it or not, sadness is a healthy and appropriate emotion under certain circumstances, such as when grieving the loss of someone close to you. But, when longstanding and coupled with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness, it is time to speak with a licensed professional for further assessment. Even just feeling like you need to talk to someone due to a general lack of motivation or feelings of unfounded sadness and hopelessness is reason enough to start your counseling journey.
Anxiety & Stress
Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people. In fact, 70% of adults in the U.S. say they feel stress or anxiety daily. Doubting yourself and your abilities, spousal conflicts, succumbing to irrational fears and job-related stress can all trigger episodes of anxiety. Thankfully, there are smart and healthy ways to cope and relieve these feelings. Working with a counselor can get you on the right track.
Adjustment & Life Issues
Facing unexpected and/or major life changes, coping with relationship problems, adjusting to a “new normal,” commitment issues, and other problems that arise in the course of living a normal, everyday life can stack up to become overwhelming. Before it gets to the point where challenges seem insurmountable, commit to tackling life’s little problems one session at a time.
LGBT
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender matters affect a wide variety of people – not just those who identify themselves as such. Feelings of guilt, fear, denial and self-resentment are common in those who are struggling with their sexual/gender identity, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Furthermore, feelings of anger or rejection toward those who refuse to accept a person’s true identity are normal, but can become harmful if left unchecked for too long. Others may have feelings of unease after learning someone close to them is gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgender. Counseling can help repair those relationships before they get to the point of no return.
“Healing occurs when we begin to change the meaning we attach to our woundedness, thereby accepting yet changing our relationship with our woundedness. Healing is a birthright. It is a wholeness. As a matter of fact, healing means (literally) wholeness.”
~ Dr. D. Dionne Bates
office policy
Self-Pay clients also welcome. Please contact office for self-pay service fees.
Payment in full is due at the time services are rendered. No checks please.
If you have ‘Out of Network’ benefits, Self-SOULstice, LLC will provide documentation for submission to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is your responsibility to pay Self-SOULstice, LLC at the time of the service and file your own insurance claims. Please contact your insurance company for details of your coverage and information about filing an ‘Out of Network’ claim.
Cancellation policy – payment in full unless 24 hours’ notice is given.
Insurances accepted include*:
Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna
*Please contact your insurance company about reimbursement of Dr. Bates/Self-SOULstice, LLC – in office and mobile services.