Midwest Counseling Centers of Ohio

07/26/2025

07/26/2025

Why Some People Fear Mental Health Medications—and Why That Fear Can Be Overcome
By Lynne Routsong‑Wiechers, LISW
Owner/Clinician, Midwest Counseling Centers of Ohio

Mental health medications often feel intimidating, and it’s common to wonder: What’s wrong with me if I need medication?
Will it change who I am? These concerns stem from decades of stigma, misinformation, and cultural messages implying that
mental health struggles reflect personal weakness.

But here’s what’s important to know: mental health medications are no different from treatments for physical conditions.
If someone has high blood pressure, they might take medication to regulate it. If someone’s blood sugar is too high,
they take insulin. Our brains are part of our body—and just like any organ, they sometimes need medical support.

🌱 Why people feel anxious or hesitant

1. Fear of label or stigma – Mental illness isn't a character flaw, yet some worry being prescribed medication means they’re flawed.
2. Worry over side effects – It’s understandable to fear fatigue, weight gain, or other potential side effects—but many side effects are manageable with communication.
3. Concern over dependency or identity change – People fear losing control or becoming “dependent.” In truth, most medications aren’t addictive, and you remain in charge.
4. Cultural or generational beliefs – Some communities emphasize handling problems “on your own,” making it hard to reach out for help.

✅ Reasons it’s okay—and often beneficial—to take medication

- Mental health concerns involve real, biological shifts. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other issues often reflect chemical imbalances or neural circuitry changes—just like diseases impacting other body systems. Medication helps restore balance and relieve symptoms.
- Medications can open the door to healing. When symptoms are better managed, therapy, lifestyle strategies, and support systems can be more effective. Medication isn’t supposed to replace other tools—it complements them.
- Taking medication is an act of self‑compassion. Choosing treatment to ease your suffering isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It shows insight and responsibility, not shame.
- Most patients don’t use medication forever. Depending on your diagnosis, some people take medication for months—or temporarily—and then gradually taper with clinical guidance.

🫀 A physical‑health parallel

If you had a broken bone, you wouldn’t shame yourself for going to the doctor. You’d wear a cast, follow recommendations,
take medication if needed—and then heal. If you had chronic pain, you’d seek treatment. Nobody questions whether that means you’re “weak.”

It’s time to treat mental health with the same standard of care and compassion. Your brain is part of your body. You deserve support,
validation, and medically informed care just as you would for any other organ.

Breaking down the fear

- Ask questions. Engage your provider in informed dialogue about benefits, risks, and side effects.
- Start slow, with clear goals. Be clear about what you hope to achieve and track your progress.
- Partner in your care. You're an active participant—not a passive recipient—in your treatment.
- Talk about it. Sharing your experience with trusted people helps reduce the shame and isolation often linked to mental health treatment.

Bottom line:
Choosing medication doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human, and you’re taking steps toward healing.
Just like we treat physical pain or illness with medicine and care, we can—and should—treat mental health with equal respect.

07/22/2025

IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE: Are you struggling and looking for a compassionate medication provider to help you? Someone who listens and takes time to discuss options? Here at Midwest Counseling we provide clients with medication options to help you get relief from your struggles. We are accepting new patients and have openings!!

Call today! 9378134485. Take the first step, we know it’s hard but we are here to walk with you!

Lynne

07/11/2025

Let’s break the stigma. We visited Midwest Counseling Centers of Ohio to show what healing really looks like. No white coats, no judgment — just real people ready to help. ❤️

07/04/2025

06/09/2025

Marketing days!!

06/09/2025

Our new space where our medication providers will be! Same building but we have acquired another suite to accommodate our growth!

06/08/2025

Our space!

06/08/2025

Emotional Adjustments After Weight-Loss Surgery: Baby Steps Toward a New Life
Jun 4, 2025
Obesity is more than a number on a scale — it’s something you live with every day. It becomes your identity, your shadow, and it carries a heavy burden of shame and guilt.
For many, weight-loss surgery is the start of a new life. But it’s not just the physical transformation that takes place — it’s an emotional journey, one that brings both relief and unexpected challenges.
The Emotional Struggle of Obesity
These are just a few of the thoughts that often consume an obese person’s mind:
Looking in the mirror and barely recognizing yourself.
Crying over how far things have gone.
Disappointing your children when you’re too tired to play.
Dreading the pain of simply standing up in the morning.
Avoiding public places for fear of judgment.
Hiding behind stretchy pants and slip-on shoes.
Anxiously grocery shopping at night to avoid being seen.
Suffering from the embarrassment of not fitting into a plane seat.
Losing touch with your identity and feeling invisible.
This is the reality many face every day. But there is hope — and life on the other side of surgery can be transformative.
Life After Weight-Loss Surgery
After my surgery, my world changed. I no longer suffer from the physical co-morbidities that once held me back. I can walk, run, and even ride a bike with my children. My depression lifted, and my energy soared.
But the biggest change wasn’t just physical. It was realizing that unless someone has lived this journey, they can’t fully understand the experience of obesity. That’s why I dedicated my career to counseling others on the same path — to give them the voice and understanding they deserve.
Major Life Changes You May Experience
Career improvements
Stronger personal relationships
Shifts in marriage dynamics
Changes in friendships
Growth in spirituality
These shifts aren’t always easy, but they are part of the process of reclaiming your life.
Weight-Loss Surgery Is Not the Easy Way Out
Contrary to popular belief, surgery is not an easy solution. It requires courage to take the first step, and even more courage to live with the changes that come after.
We obsess over the possibility of a healthier life. We dream about it. We anxiously await the insurance approval letter. And when it finally arrives, excitement is quickly followed by fear.
Living as a post-weight-loss surgery patient is not simple — but it’s worth it.
Fear of the Unknown: Taking Baby Steps
Even when we long for change, it’s natural to fear it. After surgery, it’s common to have moments of doubt and wonder, “Why did I do this?” These feelings usually pass, but they are part of the emotional adjustment.
We must also learn to accept the “new you.” Reaching your goal weight can feel surreal — looking in the mirror and not recognizing the thin person staring back. It’s a vulnerable feeling, being seen after years of trying to blend in.
This journey requires baby steps:
Learning to eat smaller portions
Chewing food thoroughly
Avoiding high-sugar and fatty foods
Adjusting to a new relationship with food
Food is no longer a friend or comfort — it’s fuel. We no longer live to eat; we eat to live.
My Story
I stood 5’4″ and weighed 285 pounds. I tried every diet and exercise program, but nothing brought lasting success. Depression and physical pain consumed my life.
As a psychotherapist, it was humbling to realize I needed help. But taking control changed everything. After gastric bypass surgery, I lost 160 pounds and went from a size 24 to a 4/6.
I finally began living, not just existing.
The Toolbox for Success
Weight-loss surgery is a powerful tool — but only if used properly. Success comes from consistently using the tool with intention and care.
Here are seven steps that helped me and many of my patients:
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Stick to dietary recommendations and prioritize rest and recovery.
Journal Your Journey
Track what you eat and how you feel to better understand your relationship with food.
Set Realistic Goals
Focus on achievable milestones like walking longer distances or getting off medications.
Reflect on Your ‘Why’
Remember the moment you decided to change — it keeps you grounded.
Document Your Progress
Take pictures, measurements, and keep old clothing to see how far you’ve come.
Seek Support
Don’t go it alone. Support groups, family, friends, and professional counseling make a huge difference.
Live Life to the Fullest
You deserve happiness, health, and the freedom to enjoy every moment.
Mourning Food: Coping with ‘Food Grief’
After surgery, it’s normal to grieve the role food once played — as comfort, celebration, or reward. Without food as a crutch, we must find new passions and healthy coping mechanisms. Support groups and new hobbies can be lifesavers.
About the Author
Lynne Routsong-Wiechers, MSW, LISW, is a bariatric psychotherapist based in Dayton, Ohio. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 2003, she dedicated her practice to helping gastric bypass and obesity patients navigate their emotional journeys. Lynne provides consultation to medical professionals and speaks publicly on the topic of obesity and weight-loss surgery.
This post is supported by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), a national nonprofit dedicated to elevating conversations about weight and health, improving access to obesity care, and eliminating weight bias and discrimination.

06/08/2025

Why Counseling is Helpful for Children: Supporting Young Minds Through Life’s Challenges

In today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world, children face a range of emotional, social, and developmental challenges that can impact their mental health. While it’s easy to assume that childhood is a carefree time, the reality is that many children deal with anxiety, grief, bullying, trauma, academic pressure, family conflict, and more. Counseling provides a safe, supportive space where children can explore their feelings, learn coping skills, and develop a stronger sense of self.
1. Counseling Creates a Safe Space for Expression
Children don’t always have the words or understanding to express what they’re going through. A trained counselor can help bridge that gap. In therapy, children are encouraged to share their thoughts and emotions through talking, play, drawing, or other age-appropriate methods. This safe space allows them to feel heard and validated, often for the first time outside their immediate family.
2. It Teaches Healthy Coping Skills
Just like adults, children need tools to manage stress, anger, sadness, and fear. Counseling helps children develop these skills early, which can lead to better emotional regulation, resilience, and self-esteem. Learning how to cope in healthy ways sets the foundation for strong mental health throughout life.
3. It Helps Children Understand Their Emotions
Children often act out or withdraw when they’re overwhelmed by emotions they don’t understand. A counselor helps them recognize and label their feelings, which reduces confusion and behavioral issues. Understanding emotions is the first step toward learning how to manage them.
4. Counseling Supports Families, Too
Therapy for children often involves working with parents or caregivers. This collaboration ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the strategies used in therapy can be reinforced at home. Family involvement can also uncover deeper issues that may be affecting the child’s wellbeing, such as marital conflict or inconsistent parenting approaches.
5. Early Intervention Leads to Long-Term Benefits
The earlier a child receives support, the better the outcomes. Unresolved emotional issues in childhood can carry into adolescence and adulthood, leading to more serious problems later on. Counseling can interrupt this cycle by addressing concerns before they escalate. It’s an investment in a child’s future emotional health and development.
6. Reduces the Stigma Around Mental Health
When children grow up understanding that it’s okay to talk about feelings and ask for help, they’re less likely to internalize shame or stigma around mental health. Counseling normalizes emotional challenges and encourages openness, empathy, and compassion—values that benefit not only the individual child but the community as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Seeking counseling for a child doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with them. In fact, it’s a powerful step toward growth, healing, and emotional well-being. Just as we nurture children’s physical health with regular checkups and good nutrition, we must also care for their emotional health with support, understanding, and professional guidance when needed. Counseling is one of the most effective ways to do just that.
If you’re considering counseling for your child, know that you’re giving them the gift of a stronger, healthier foundation—one that can support them for the rest of their lives.

06/08/2025

Thanks for visiting! My name is Lynne and I am one of the owners along with my husband Mark. MCCO was created five years ago during the Covid pandemic. We decided to open MCCO in order to help meet the need in the community for the mental health crisis during the pandemic. I have over 34 years of experience in the field of mental health working with diverse populations in multitude of settings. Mark has over 25 years of health care administration and is retired from Kettering health network. We decided blend our knowledge and our experience together to open something that has truly been a blessing, and we called it Midwest Counseling Centers of Ohio. Our practice has a true “family“ feel to it. We have a team of very knowledgeable and experienced clinicians, nurse practitioners and have added a pediatric physician assistant. We are ready to help you navigate difficult times. Mental health is a true passion of mine and I’m so blessed to be able to share my passion and assist people within the Dayton and surrounding communities. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you along your journey to healing.  Our receptionist will be happy to assist you!

We are located at 8940 Kingsridge Drive, Dayton Ohio 45458 (behind the Dayton Mall)