What is counseling?

“Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.”-ACA website

Counseling is a safe space where clients enter a contractual relationship with a trained individual where the client actively participates in developing goals and collaborating with their therapist to reach these goals.

If I need counseling does that mean there is something wrong with me?

Definitely not! In fact, I, Neely, (and my other therapists) am of the opinion that everyone needs counseling, including counselors. Everyone experiences things in which they need an unbiased person available to help them find their truth, develop goals, and achieve those goals, whether personally, professionally, in relationships, etc. To normalize counseling, I keep a therapist on retainer to allow me the privilege of self-growth, as do a lot of the other therapists who work here. This makes me a better wife, mom, therapist, and allows me to be the version of myself I most want to be.

Do we only see children?

No! Just because a lot of us mention our love of play therapy does not mean we only see children. In fact, play therapy itself is not just beneficial for children-it helps adults, too! We all see clients of all ages.

What is play therapy?

It is "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."-Association for Play Therapy website

Please visit the Association for Play Therapy website to learn more. https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/Play-Therapy-Makes-a-Difference.htm

What is Synergetic Play Therapy®?

“Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory (see Badenoch, 2008; Porges, 2011; Schore, 1994; Siegel, 1999 for coverage of the ideas behind SPT). Preliminary research suggests that SPT significantly improves emotional tolerance and regulation (Dion & Gray, 2014; Simmons, 2020). Although Synergetic Play Therapy® is a model of play therapy, it’s also a way of being in relationship with self and others. It’s an all-encompassing paradigm that can be applied to any facet of life and, subsequently, any model of play therapy can be applied to it or vice versa. Synergetic Play Therapy® is both non-directive and directive in its application.” -Synergetic Play Therapy® Website

For more information please visit their site:

https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/what-synergetic-play-therapy/

How do I set up an appointment?

We respond to phone calls at (205) 919-6537 as soon as we possibly can. However, we also are able to respond to emails at info@harborcounselingllc.com or text messages at (205) 919-6537. Get in touch and we will get you started.

How much do sessions cost and how do they work?

Therapy sessions last 60 minutes, with 50 minutes for direct contact and 10 minutes for charting and other tasks. For minors, the intake is set up with parents/guardians to discuss the therapeutic process and expectations. For adults, the first session involves completing informed consent paperwork, providing demographic information, and discussing reasons for seeking counseling.

We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and offer a private pay rate of $140 per hour. Private pay has advantages such as no deductible or co-pay, no need for a mental health diagnosis on medical records, and increased confidentiality. However, insurance can reduce financial burden and provide access to additional benefits and support. Regardless of payment method, we remain a mandated reporters and have a duty to warn, which we explain during the intake process.

What are your hours?

Our main business hours are Monday-Thursday, 9a-5p. However!! We have a few therapists who are willing to stay later/come in earlier, and as an added bonus, Hallie Keel is available for Saturday appointments!

What are your ethics?

We are governed by the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Please view the link here https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

We are also governed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and their Code of Ethics. Please view the link here http://abec.state.al.us/PDFs/2015/ElecDigitalMediaCounseling10-16-15.pdf

Why do you not have therapist bios?

Truthfully, I almost didn’t even add pictures; I want you to call in, email, or text, so that the therapist you end up with can meet you organically and y’all can build that connected relationship from the get go, instead of getting a preconceived notion of who they are based on a small paragraph that tries to capture the totality of the person and clinician they are. You are more than that, and we respect that about you, so we want you to have the same experience from your therapist! We cannot wait to meet you!