Haven of Hope Counseling

09/24/2025

Haven of Hope Counseling
Immediate Openings Available
We are here to walk with you on your journey.
Serving ages 4 through adulthood with a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Our team of 5 experienced counselors specializes in:
• Childhood therapy
• Family counseling
• Adolescent & adult therapy
• Evidence-based modalities tailored to your needs
Call us today at (615)597-4673 or apply online at havenofhopetn.org.

09/12/2025

We have this book available for friends and families to check out.

08/02/2025

Check out what a child centered play therapy session looks like with Dr. Garry Landreth, author of Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. We provide this kind of therapy at the Haven of Hope for children ages 3-11.

Bring Garry Landreth into your classroom and let him demonstrate CCPT in action!This DVD is a perfect complement to Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship...

07/31/2025

Children are resilient it's true, but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't need help navigating through difficult situations, especially trauma. One type of counseling that is very effective is EMDR. Check out this link for a brief explanation, and if we can be of any help, please contact us at the Haven of Hope Counseling Of course, EMDR helps bring down the distress from a traumatic memory in adults too.

This is the EMDRAA Animation Video

07/29/2025

07/28/2025

Please support our non for profit 501c. We need your help to make it work.

07/28/2025

07/25/2025

Ever have a child who experiences a melt down or throws a temper tantrum? It's a call for your help as well as an expression of emotion. If we're being real, we may blow up as well after a hard stressful day. Here are a few tips that help calm our down the situation.

SHOW EMPATHY: Put an arm around the child or hold her hand and say, "You look frustrated. It's okay to feel that way." You're acknowledging the feeling, not the accompanying behavior.

HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM: What's caused the frustration? You can come alongside them and help fix it. That block tower they have worked so hard to build tumbles down before it reaches the top. Rebuild it together.

HAVE A COZY CALM DOWN AREA: (This is great for parents too!) When someone is feeling out of sorts or dysregulated emotionally, it's important to take a time out. Have a designated area with maybe comfy pillows or a beanbag, stuffed animals or maybe a blanket.

BE NEARBY: (This may sound new to you) Calm-down time is NOT meant to punish or isolate a young child. Some children need to be hugged, held, and soothed during tantrums; others don't want to be touched. Regardless of what works in the situation, be nearby to help and keep the child safe.

HELP END THE BREAK: Eventually children wind down and feel ready to return to play. Help reinforce the positiver nature of breaks by saying, "You feel better now. You helped yourself calm down!" Ask if the child is ready or needs more time to calm down. After the break, offer hugs or high fives, and smooth the transition into a new activity.

TEACH AND PRACTICE CALM-DOWN TOOLS: During quiet moments when no one is upset, show children how to breathe deeply to relax. Say, "Let's watch our bellies get bigger while we breathe." Together, close your eyes and talk about feeling peaceful. Play soothing music and hum or sing along. Show a child how to hug his shoulders with his arms or rock slowly back and forth to help calm down the body.

REDIRECT: Before young children explode, try stepping in quikcly with a favorite toy, book, or other object to refocus their attention. Even before that, keep an eye out to make sure toddler's basic needs are being met. Is a child hungry, thirsty, bored, tired, anxious, or overstimulated? Staying on top of those needs is a first line of defense.

(Source: Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick, Free Spirit Publishing)

07/01/2025

Children can bounce back from adversity through supportive environments and experience. Still, research shows "childhood trauma doesn't just leave psychological skills, but it biologically reshapes the brain through chronic neuroinflammation and structural changes, increasing vulnerability to psychiatric disorders later in life. New research shows that early adversity can reprogram immune responses, altering lifelong mental health outcomes."

More details in the link to the article below. The Haven of Hope wants to be there for your child to help them heal from the trauma they have experienced. Contact us if we can help. 615-597-4674 or online at www.havenofhopetn.org

https://neurosciencenews.com/childhood-trauma-brain-inflammation-29260/

  301 West Main Street ~ Smithville, TN 37166 Phone: 615-597-HOPE (4673) Fax: 615-318-1678 E-Mail: office@havenofhopetn.org Office Hours Monday – Thursday: 8am – 12pm and 1pm – 5pm Friday: 8am – 12pm *Clients seen by appointment only* *If you are in an emergency and need of immediate assist...

04/10/2025

We are pleased to announce that Susanah Lambert, LMSW has joined Haven of Hope. For information or to schedule an appointment please call 615-597-4673.

04/02/2025

The next Parenting for Divorce class will be held on April 12, 2025 from 8:00 to 12:00 at Haven of Hope. The cost is $50.00 and will need to paid prior to the date of the class. For more information please call 615-597-4673.