Mary K. Crook, MA, LPC

10/19/2024

Thankful to be back in the office for in person sessions, with phones and internet back up and running.

10/06/2024

Edit: Phones and internet are back!

UPDATE: Our office will reopen this week for in-person sessions! Still no fees for cancellations, as our phone and internet service remains down. Please reach out via Spruce app or email with any questions. Thank you!

09/29/2024

UPDATE: Our office will reopen this week for in-person sessions! Still no fees for cancellations, as our phone and internet service remains down. Please reach out via Spruce app or email with any questions. Thank you!

Due to Hurricane Helene, our offices are closed for in person sessions until further notice. Please contact Mary Crook directly on the Spruce app to communicate regarding appointments or other needs. I will be offering 45 min telehealth sessions and 30 minute phone call sessions Monday through Wednesday at your regularly scheduled appointment time, unless you have already canceled your appointment.

There will be no cancellation fees for no shows/cancellations this week!

Everyone stay safe. I am praying for each one of you. Take a deep breath and “look for the helpers”, as Mister Rogers would say. We will get through this!

Spruce app: spruce.care/marykcrooklpc
Telehealth app: doxy.me/marycrooklpc

08/30/2024

The sun is setting on summer, and the first day of Fall is September 22nd. The fall is a favorite time of year for many, but for some it’s the beginning of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Those that suffer from S.A.D. may notice an increase in fatigue no matter how much you sleep, depressed mood and weight gain during the fall and winter months. If you notice a pattern of these symptoms over the years, you may benefit from talking to your doctor about whether or not you have S.A.D.

Here are a few things you can do to help prepare for the fall and winter seasons, so you can lower the intensity of S.A.D. and begin to enjoy the seasons again! Even if you have the winter blues, these ideas may help.

1) VITAMIN D- Under your doctor’s supervision, consider increasing Vitamin D. Start taking Vitamin D before the winter months so your symptoms do not have a chance to build.

2) LIGHT THERAPY- Purchase a full spectrum light box and turn it on in the morning to help your circadian rhythm. If you are sensitive to bright, artificial light, try stepping outside and standing in the sunlight each morning. The chilly air will certainly wake you up!

3) MOVE YOUR BODY- This one is no surprise, but get moving! Take a daily walk or begin an indoor exercise routine.

4) CONNECT- Move toward connection with others, even when you don’t want to. Go to the party or football game. Join the Bible study or book club. Don’t feel pressure to do everything, but do something. Consider talking to a counselor if you need support.

5) ANTIDEPRESSANTS- If these ideas don’t make a difference in your mood or fatigue, talk to your doctor about an evaluation for S.A.D. and whether or not antidepressants may be helpful for you.

You are worth it!

Find more info here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

11/15/2021

Excited to begin my journey learning EMDR and blown away by this wonderful group!

Just finished teaching Part 1 of a Remote EMDR Training. What a great group of therapists who are excited to start integrating EMDR therapy into their practices. Will be fun to see how they progress with their skills over the next 6 months! A big thanks for Erin Staniszeski and Sarah Rose for joining us and sharing all their wisdom with the group. 😊

https://instagram.com/p/CWRtFqts5Jm/

💚

04/20/2021

Hey, friend, take a break while scrolling. Take just a moment to

B R E A T H E...

Just try it right now... You'll be surprised.

Breathe in for 4 seconds,

Hold it for 5 seconds,

Exhale for 6 seconds.

Repeat.

How was that?

Carry on.

09/23/2020

I am starting my private practice and accepting new clients! Take a look at my updated Psychology Today profile.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/189548

09/23/2020

I am pleased to announce an exciting change! I am opening a private practice, Mary K Crook LPC LLC, here in Augusta, Georgia. I am accepting new clients and thankful to continue to serve the CRSA. My goal over the coming weeks is to make the transition to my practice as seamless as possible for clients who have decided to continue with me as their counselor. Give us a call at (706) 364-0252 to schedule your appointment.

While I am in private practice, I will be sharing space and staff with several other counselors. Our group, though practicing separately, is called the Clinicians Office, and the website can be found at www.cliniciansoffice.com.

Clinicians office with licensed therapists that offer individual, couples, marriage and family mental health counseling

09/23/2020

05/04/2020

I am offering tele-health video sessions to my clients at this time. If you are in need of a session and are wanting to continue social distancing practices, I can continue to support you through Vsee, a secure video conferencing platform. Call our office at Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals to make an appointment. (706) 498-9570

https://www.mygbhp.com/location/grovetown/

04/13/2020

Helpful resources from the Child Mind Institute!

What parents and other adults can say to kids about the coronavirus COVID-19. How to answer their questions and keep kids feeling safe.

03/21/2020

Sharing this worksheet to help kids process their worry and remember to place their trust in God.

Back to School! Our kids are excited, and NERVOUS. This week I'll be posting a couple of ideas for you to use to help your kids contain and lessen their worries as they step back onto campus. The picture below is called "God Carries Our Worries". Have your child write down their worries and tuck them safely into God's hands, while saying a simple prayer.

I created this exercise as a faith-based supplement to the wonderful Worry Wars Workbook by Paris Goodyear-Brown, but its very self explanatory and can be used on its own without the workbook. I hope it blesses you!