The Counseling Center at Hamilton

01/19/2026

Morning appointments are now open for Aetna clients. Give us a call at 609-890-9998.

01/06/2026

This is what strength and kindness looks like.

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

Now accepting Aetna clients!

01/06/2026

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH GOAL SETTING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR 2026!

What is it and why is it important for your mental health…
Goal setting provides direction and purpose, while social support acts as a powerful motivator and accountability system, turning abstract dreams into achievable realities by offering encouragement, sharing burdens, and celebrating progress, significantly boosting resilience and success, especially for long-term goals. Combining clear, often SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals with a strong support network helps overcome obstacles and maintain motivation through tough times, making goal achievement more likely.
The Power of Goal Setting
• Provides Clarity & Control: Goals give structure and a sense of control, reducing overwhelm and providing a roadmap for your efforts.
• Increases Motivation: Clearly defined goals are more powerful motivators than vague desires, driving action and perseverance.
• Builds Resilience: Working towards goals develops grit and resilience, helping you persist through challenges.
The Role of Social Support
• Accountability: Friends, mentors, or groups keep you on track and responsible for your commitments.
• Encouragement: A supportive network provides boosts of motivation and helps you stay positive during setbacks.
• Shared Experience: Sharing successes and struggles makes the journey less isolating and reinforces commitment.
• Resource Network: Your network can offer different perspectives, skills, and opportunities needed for specific goals.
Integrating Goals & Support
1. Identify Your "Who": Determine who in your life (peers, family, mentors) can best support your specific goals.
2. Make Social Commitments: Share your goals with your support system to create external accountability.
3. Leverage Strengths: Identify your strengths and how your network can help you use them to overcome obstacles.
4. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge progress with your support system to reinforce your ability to achieve.
5. Adapt Your Network: Be willing to adjust your support circle as your goals evolve to ensure you get the right kind of help.
By strategically combining well-defined goals with a robust social support system, individuals significantly increase their chances of long-term success and well-being

07/03/2025

When you have anxiety, ruminating on negative thoughts persist. When this occurs it's easy to over focus on them. Try helping someone. A neighbor, a friend, family member or even a stranger in need. There are many groups looking for volunteers who would be grateful for your help. You might be thinking, "how can I help someone else if I can't help myself". If you give it a try it will give you a reprieve from your negative thoughts and replace it with gratitude from others. If you are interested in learning coping skills for life challenges give us a call. We are providers for Aetna insurance as well as all the major insurance companies. For a full list see our website at: www.counselingcenterathamilton.com

06/17/2025

Telehealth sessions in the comfort of your home or office is a great way to take care of your mental health. An appointment is set, a link is sent, click it, and help is there. It's great to speak with someone objective, non-judgmental and confidential. We are currently accepting Aetna clients but we are providers for all major insurance companies. Put yourself first today. Give us a call and open up a new pathway in your life.

06/09/2025

🌟 At The Counseling Center at Hamilton, we believe in the power of connection and support! 🌟

Today, we want to celebrate the special bonds that enrich our lives. Whether it's family, friends, or mentors, these relationships can be a source of strength during challenging times. 💖

What’s a cherished memory you have with someone who means a lot to you? Share your story in the comments! Let’s spread positivity and remind each other of the love that surrounds us. 💬✨

Remember, reaching out and talking about our experiences can be a vital step in nurturing our mental well-being. We’re here for you! 🌈

05/31/2025

Clients often ask "If I stop doing things that trigger my anxiety won't it go away?" In reality, I think the opposite is actually true. The more you work on strategies to cope with anxiety producing triggers, the less they trigger you. When this is done gradually it is called Exposure Therapy. It works quite well with social anxiety disorder or driving anxiety. When you begin to restrict or limit your activities your world becomes narrow and anxiety grows. If you are looking for some sensible strategies to build your confidence give us a call. It's easier than you think!

05/19/2025

Experiencing a range of emotions, processing them, and moving forward with an emotionally mature coping style is a great goal. Sometimes I hear people say "I just wanna be happy". Happiness is fleeting but satisfaction can be consistent. If the focus was on "how can I feel more satisfied with my life" it would bring attention to the small details in one's life. When one is mindful of the details in life, it is easy to make positive changes that bring personal satisfaction. I call it "the art of satisfaction". Sometimes all it takes is for someone to listen. We are here for you.

05/14/2025

Many clients ask; "What is the one thing I can do to stop my anxiety from getting out of control?" Anxiety requires a multi-modal approach. Ask yourself, what am I eating or drinking that can increase anxiety? Do I exercise daily? Am I excellent at ruminating on negative thoughts? Developing a treatment plan to manage your anxiety takes a close look at all the aspects of your life that are contributing to increased anxiety. Did you know that caffeine, ni****ne, chocolate, cold/allergy medicine, ADHD medicine and alcohol can increase your anxiety? Doing an elimination trial can help you identify any contributing factors. Daily exercise as simple as walking for 15-20 minutes and deep breathing can help as well. Anxiety can accumulate and build throughout the day leaving it difficult to sleep at night. Having a night time routine which eliminates stress like news programs or working late can help with getting more restful sleep. I recommend utilizing a calming meditative app nightly. Dr. James Balch, MD who wrote "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" recommends magnesium glycinate 400mg to aide in anxiety reduction. Always check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure any supplements you add mix well with your current medication. Stopping the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) in your brain can help you stop feeding the anxiety monster. If you'd like to learn more about developing a plan to manage your anxiety, just give us a call. You will be surprised at how much better you will feel in a short time. May is mental health month. Make your mental health a priority. Self-care is never selfish. Start your wellness journey today.

05/07/2025

Questioning if you need medication to manage your anxiety? Try a technique called "Planned Worry". If you're suffering from an Anxiety Disorder you are probably pretty good at worrying 24/7 right? Utilizing "Planned Worry" means you are only allowed to worry 1 hour a day. So if you pick 12 noon - 1pm, you are done with your worry appointment with yourself for the day. But 1:01 it pops right back in your brain cause that's how it goes, right? That's when you tell your brain the worry time is over till tomorrow at 12 noon. Instead, you utilize 10 distracting skills and 10 calming skills. Why 20 skills? Because you know 1 is not enough. If you are only 50% successful, your brain has just experienced 50% less worrisome negative thoughts. Your brain will say Ahhhh! If you try for a week and cannot stop the ruminating thoughts, then it's time to speak with your doctor about some medication to help your mind be more receptive to building new coping skills. Self care is never selfish. We got you.