True North Counseling Services

02/20/2024

Obviously this post is long overdue. Many people have asked if I’ve stopped counseling as they’ve seen my sign taken down at 106 North Main. That office will always hold an amazing place in my heart. That’s where I decided to take the leap. That’s where I decided to follow my dream in starting my own private practice. 106 North Main is where it all started. That’s where I found my “True North.”

2020…Covid pandemic happened and I was forced to work from home. I became a stay at home mom, work from home mom, a teacher at home mom…almost over night. There were times I would go to my office at 106 North Main and just cry when I’d unlock the door. All of the furniture was there but it felt so empty.

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.”

When I tell that things happen for a reason I can’t be more honest. I attempted to get my current office space two times prior to getting it. Once was before I found 106 North Main. The landlord at the time was not interested in a counselor in his space. I found 106 North Main and began to grow my practice…I began to live out my dream.

I think at one point during the pandemic I saw the same office space for rent again but with a different landlord. My practice was building and 106 wasn’t what I wanted to return to after the pandemic ended. I was still working from home. There was an add in the paper. I took a chance…she had just rented it out but told me she would let me know if anything else came available in the building.

I continued to work from home and wondered what would be next. Where would my arrow take me. Where would be my next destination.

215 East Market, Suite B became a reality August 2023. I got a phone call from the landlord saying she had an opening. The office space I had tried to rent two times already. Everything happens for a reason.

So extremely thankful and grateful for my current True North...can't wait to begin in person sessions soon!!!

05/05/2022

I’m sure everyone has seen this meme. It’s one I’ve used countless times. This face has a name. Kailia Posey. 16 years old. She became famous on Toddlers & Tiaras. Within the last month: she turned 16, made her High School’s Varsity Cheer Squad, and went to prom…on May 2nd she ended her life. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. EVERY month should be Mental Health Awareness Month.

If you or anyone you know is going through something difficult, or struggling with thoughts of su***de or self-harm, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Help is out there.

National Su***de Prevention Lifeline
1.800.273.8255

09/16/2021

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

I cringe every time I hear this saying. I heard it growing up and I know it was in good intentions. Ignore the negative things people say. Don’t let their words hurt you.

The truth is…words hurt. Words leave internal scars that may never go away. Broken bones heal. That pain is temporary and will eventually fade. The pain that comes with some words never fades and can only worsen the more we hear those painful words. Words hurt at all ages. Words hurt all sexes. Words hurt all races.

I came across a local High Schooler singing this song and it’s such a good message. Please be mindful of what you say. Words hurt. Words have the ability to doubt our self worth…make us think we are so much less than what we truly are.

But…words can also heal. Words can make someone smile. Words have power…use that power for good. The world needs more of that.

“I smile I pretend it doesn’t hurt. The older that I get it just gets worse.”

(I got permission from her mother to post this video)






https://youtu.be/ugPkMB4CZS4

Emma Carpenter - "Mean Girls" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)Directed by Sean Lukes Jr.

11/03/2020

Everything seems so overwhelming. Please today of all days remember we are all in this together. Regardless of what side we choose, what our opinions are...we are all going through it together. I can’t help but gravitate to the lyrics of John Lennon’s Imagine. Some may say I’m a dreamer...but I’m not the only one.

09/02/2020

September is Su***de Prevention Month.

Please know you are not alone. There is help out there!! You can talk to me about su***de. It is okay to not be okay. We must all work together to end the stigma. Y’all there is so much heavy stuff happening in our world today. Be kind to one another. Please don’t think your story is over!

05/21/2020

Who else dreads seeing the extended weather outlook looking like this? 🙋🏼‍♀️ I know I sure do. Hoping for some sun and warm weather soon for us all! ☀️🤞🏼

05/20/2020

Toddlers and teens alike can't seem to leave parents alone. Here's what's behind it, and how to deal.

05/13/2020

Thank you to everyone who has liked and shared my page!!! 200 likes!!!

05/13/2020

Hello everyone. I wanted to pass along some more resources that I recently came across. The link below should take you to a website with COVID-19 Digital Mental Health Resources. They have listed free apps in areas of: Anxiety, Depression, Sleep, Peer Support, Self Care, & Recovery.



https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/covid-19-digital-mental-health-resources/

FREE digital mental health resources* for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic Anxiety Headspace (in App Library) New Yorkers across the state can access a specially curated collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home mindful workouts, sleep and kids content....

05/01/2020

As we enter into another month of the stay-at-home order we also enter into Mental Health Awareness month. Now more than ever I need you all to help end the stigma of getting help! I have watched people struggle so deeply over the past few months. But I’ve also watched people grow in ways they never thought possible. It is absolutely 100% okay to not be okay. During a pandemic and not during a pandemic. Let’s be kind to ourselves and to one another. Check in with one another. And most importantly, talk to yourself the way you would talk to someone you love. We will get through this!

04/28/2020

You are not alone in how you are feeling.

https://www.self.com/story/pandemic-therapy-trends

There is no “right” way to handle this.

04/21/2020

Here is a resource for anxiety related to COVID-19. There’s some awesome information and suggestions if you have time to browse through. And I know y’all have time nowadays. Let me know if you have any questions or need extra suggestions.

https://thewellnesssociety.org/free-coronavirus-anxiety-workbook/

Download our free 28 page Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook containing tools and techniques to help you deal with stress and anxiety.

04/16/2020

It’s okay to not be okay. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me!!!

03/23/2020

I want to let people know that I will be offering 1 FREE 30 minute session per person. These sessions will take place via telephone call, FaceTime, or Skype. COVID-19 is affecting us all on so many levels. Whether it be the parents who have now become teachers, the kids who are missing out on the 8th grade or Senior years, or anyone who feels fear about the unknown of this pandemic. We are all in this together. These spaces will be limited so please share this with anyone who might need some extra support.

You can reach me directly:
Text/call: 618.340.9578
Email: truenorth618@gmail.com
Message directly through this page.

Now more than ever we need to break the stigma. It’s okay to not be okay.

03/20/2020

Now more than ever...please take care of yourself. And your neighbors. But of course at a socially acceptable distance. (Humor is ok y’all and maybe we need more of it now.)

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty Dr. Doreen Marshall, AFSP Vice President of Programs Share583.8KTweetShare By Doreen Marshall, Ph.D. Human beings like certainty. We are hard-wired to want to know what is happening when and to notice things that feel threatening to us. Wh...

03/18/2020

I’ve been getting mixed reviews on whether or not insurance companies will cover telehealth sessions. PLEASE do not let this keep you from scheduling. Your cost with me WILL NOT CHANGE regardless of what your insurance says!! We will get through this together!! Message me if you have ANY questions!

03/16/2020

March 16, 2020

Due to recent events and increasing concerns about COVID19 (aka Novel Coronavirus), beginning this week I will be offering Telehealth therapy sessions as an alternative to an office visit.

You are welcome to continue coming into the office for appointments, I will be in the office unless advised otherwise by the local public health department or the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

I fully embrace whatever decision you make regarding your sessions. I encourage you to balance the information we are receiving from the CDC with your own intuition and understanding of your unique health needs and the needs of your loved ones.

It is my understanding that some insurance providers are making allowances for Telehealth therapy sessions and will be reimbursing their insureds at the same rate they would for an in-office visit. Please check with your insurance provider by calling the 1-800 number on the back of your card to confirm this for your specific policy.

There is no right or wrong way to feel about COVID 19. If you have a low level of concern, you are not under-reacting, and if you are concerned and taking precautions or cancelling travel, you are not overreacting or being paranoid.

If you wish to participate in telehealth therapy sessions, please let me know as soon as possible. I will need to forward you a telehealth consent and emergency contact form to sign prior to your scheduled session. I am utilizing the telehealth service that is integrated with my software system (Simple Practice). It is extremely easy and user friendly, and can be used by you with your smart phone (requires an app download), or a computer (via your internet browser). Further instructions will come to you if you decide to utilize telehealth.

As we all navigate through this unfamiliar and new territory, I ask that you be patient with this process, as it is new to myself and you both. We will all be learning together. Please reach out to me with any and all questions.

Thank you!!