COUNSELING
Individuals & Couples
Counseling for people ages 16-80+ years of age are offered. Counseling is a relational methodology that provides a secure, confidential, non-judgmental environment where personal challenges related to behavior, thought, mood and relationships are explored and transformed. Counseling is a relatively short term process where clients and therapists work together to understand how symptoms, past experiences and current behaviors interfere with the client's well being and success. We offer services including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Somatosensory Integration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT/ACT), Mindfulness and others. New skills, insights and behaviors are developed with the goal of optimizing the meaning, satisfaction and joy experienced in meeting life's challenges both personally and professionally.
EMDR THERAPY
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, is an evidence-based psychotherapy that rapidly and effectively treats a number of psychological disturbances including PTSD, childhood abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, depression and addictions – both behavioral and substance use.
The model on which EMDR is based, Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), posits that we all process life experiences to an adaptive resolution unless circumstances overwhelm our ability to do so. Much of psychopathology is due to an overwhelm of our system resulting in maladaptive or incomplete processing of adverse and traumatic experiences.
For more in depth discussion:
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How it Works:
Adverse experiences are stored in the body/mind as fragmented memories or un-processed information, emotion, that impairs and interferes with the ability to function at one’s best. For example, overreacting to a supervisor, may be the result of an earlier adverse life experience with authority. Essentially, the past is intruding on the present and the emotions triggered by the supervisor are an unconscious reaction, rather than a conscious response. The options are to avoid or over accommodate, attack with anger or implode and withdraw. While these reactions may have been adaptive when experienced as a younger person, they are not the best option now. A pattern of behavior driven by emotional intrusions from the past is a habit. Habits impede our ability to be consciously present to the moment, they can damage relationships and as in the case of addiction, take on a life of their own. The result is increasing alienation and isolation, feeling disconnected from oneself, close relationships and the world.
EMDR uses dual attention stimulation (DAS), by having the client focus on the safety of the present with the therapist while also attending to the difficult past. (dual attention). Then sweeping eye movement or alternating hand tapping are used to provide bilateral stimulation (aka dual attention stimulation). DAS activates the intrinsic adaptive information processing system which desensitizes the intense emotions from the past by linking them to the client's safety, knowledge and experience in the present moment. Bilateral stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain and both sides of the body which seems to speed up associations in the brain weaving together the the fragmented past into a narrative one can think about, talk about and remember without the intense feelings. The result is a true resolution and integration which alleviates physical, emotional and psychological symptoms and distress. Adaptive behaviors and insight replace mal-adaptive behaviors and limiting beliefs, improving self-esteem, confidence and the ability to choose wisely. EMDR facilitates adaptive processing of life experiences enhancing stability, resilience and competence while feeling present and alive.
For more information: www.emdria.org
Supervision & Consultation emdr & lgpc
SUPERVISION & CONSULTATION
Supervision and Consultation For EMDR & LGPC
Free Group Supervision:
First Fridays of each Month
4:00 to 5:30 pm
ONLINE DURING COVID
Sage River Farm
Big Falls Rd
Monkton, MD 2111
Have you completed Part I and/or Part II of the EMDR training? Are you sufficiently impressed with how quickly long standing issues resolve for clients? Are you in need of support to gain confidence and skill in bringing EMDR to your clients? This group provides case consultation, peer feedback and ongoing support in developing your understanding and skills in becoming an EMDR therapist. Group hours can be applied toward certification.
Are you an LGPC in need of supervision to obtain your license? Join our group and schedule and individual supervision session today!
Individual consultation toward the 10 hours of individual supervision for certification and licensure are available for a fee by scheduling an appointment.
Mediation
What Is Mediation ?
Mediation is a Collaborative Process for Resolving Conflict.
It promotes mutual understanding and collaborative problem solving.
The participants explore equitable solutions and make their own decisions. Conflict is minimized and relationships are sustained.
The goal of mediation is to create a reasonable agreement that best meets the needs or the participants. Mediated agreements are cost effective and have high rates of satisfaction and compliance. online counseling
Benefits of Mediation
- Saves time and Money
- Creates Collaborative Solutions
- Minimizes Emotional Trauma
- Participants make Their Own Decisions
- High Rates of Satisfaction and Compliance online
What Issues Can Be Addressed
- Separation and Divorce
- Temporary Agreements for Separated Couples
- Parenting Plans
- Post Divorce Conflicts
- Care of Aging Parents online counseling
How It Works
With the support of a trained neutral person, the mediator, participants communicate directly with each other rather than through a third party such as an attorney. Each participant is given the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, ideas and concerns about the conflict.
The essential issues fueling the conflict are explored until mutual understanding and agreement are reached. The agreements are recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding which serves as the basis for a settlement agreement. Participants make their Own Decisions in a Confidential Environment. The end result is an agreement that meets participants' needs based on their unique relationship. online counseling
Role of the Mediator
The Mediator serves as a neutral facilitator. This involves providing a supportive and confidential environment where participants can fully express their needs, concerns and ideas. The mediator is equipped with processes and techniques that manage intense emotion, effective communication and creative problem solving. The mediator records issues in dispute, the potential solutions and the final agreements in a Memorandum or Understanding which serves as the basis for a settlement agreement. online counseling
Role of Participants
Participants can do much of the work on their own which saves time and money in the mediation sessions. Once the areas to be addressed are identified and specific issues in conflict defined, participants are able collect information and generate potential solutions on their own. Meetings then become a sharing of this information and ideas with a view toward building the common ground of agreement.
ABOUT TERRY MCGEEHAN
Bio
Terry is a licensed clinical counselor, EMDR therapist and EMDR consultant. She has been in practice since 1986 and works with clients to develop healthier ways of coping with life and creating more satisfying relationships.
She provides Consultation to newly trained LGPC & EMDR therapists individually and through a free monthly consultation group.
She has traveled the world and worked with people from many cultures, religions and sexual orientations developing skills for holding a non-judgmental space for deep therapeutic work. Terry uses a holistic approach to join the wisdom of the body, insight, client resources and live interaction to heal past trauma, transform dysfunctional behavior and current day conflict into conscious compassionate living.
Terry received her masters degree in Dance Movement Therapy at Goucher College, before serving as adjunct faculty for the master’s program .
Extensive training in EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), Somatosensory integration, IFS (internal family systems) and Reiki healing comprise the skills informing services.
Clinical experience in traumatic brain injury was obtained at Montebello Rehabilitation Hospital, a branch of University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Program, Eating disorders at Mercy Medical Center, Geriatric training at Sheppard Pratt Adult Day Treatment Center, Bykota Senior Center and Broadmead Retirement Community. She worked with children with pervasive developmental disorder and autism at The Children’s Guild and the Montebello Home for juveniles (now closed) in Baltimore County.
Training in civil, divorce and child access mediation from the University of Maryland School of Social Work was obtained to meet court requirements for mediation in Maryland. Terry has served as a mediator for EEOC cases the courts in Baltimore City.
Perhaps the most rewarding work has been healing culturally induced trauma from war and generational prejudice with Israeli and Palestinian citizens through the organization Together Beyond Words.
Terry spent ten years providing outpatient psychotherapy and mediation services in an outpatient group practice before founding Sage River Wellness where her private psychotherapy practice is located.
She has served on boards for Johns Hopkins Psychiatric Day Hospital, Senior Mediation and Decision-Making, Inc. , Together Beyond Words (an international peace organization) and has served as a consultant to Peace through Commerce (an international peace organization).
policies
Policies
The following information will help to clarify confidentiality, cancellation policies, insurance reimbursement and fees. After reading over the information, if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out using the information provided below.
Sage River Farm
Big Falls Road
Monkton, MD 21111
Phone: (410) 218-0656
Confidentiality
Counseling Services: Confidentiality between client and counselor is a cornerstone of psychological treatment. It is crucial that you feel free to disclose and discuss all personal material without fear that this information will be revealed to others. No information related during our sessions will be disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent. There are a few exceptions to this rule. A critical exception is that if the counselor believes your safety is in jeopardy, he/she will take whatever measures are necessary to protect you. An attempt to inform you of the safety plan will be made. If someone else is in danger because of your actions, your counselor is obligated to warn that person or notify the authorities, even without your consent. Confidentiality is also limited if you disclose that a child under the age of 18 (including yourself) or a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused; and if you have been abused by a healthcare provider. These procedures are required by law to prevent future harm from occurring.
Mediation Services: Confidentiality is an essential element of the mediation process as it builds trust, supports full disclosure of information and protects the participants and the mediator from retribution. The mediator will not share any information related to or disclosed during the mediation sessions with anyone outside the mediation sessions. Participants agree not to call the mediator or anyone working for the mediator as a witness in court for the purpose of disclosing information obtained as part of the mediation. The participants are also prohibited from requiring the mediator to provide records or documents that were part of the mediation for the court. Participants agree not telephone the mediator for purposes other than changing appointment times. emdr online
Health Insurance
Health Insurance Reimbursement
An invoice and/or "superbill" for services is provided monthly through your secure portal or email (with consent). If you are using insurance, you must submit the "superbill" to your insurance company for reimbursement. Your insurance company will reimburse you directly. If you have any questions regarding reimbursement, please contact your insurance company. If you have questions regarding the invoice from our office, you may call or send an email.
Some insurance companies require the submission of a treatment plan to document service. Treatment plans contain a psychiatric diagnosis, symptoms, reasons for treatment, treatment goals and progress in treatment. Your insurance company will store this information in an electronic data base that can be accessed by other insurance companies. Once this information is disclosed to your insurance company, we can not guarantee confidentiality of that information. We are HIPAA compliant and do all we can to keep your personal health information protected. We create a treatment plan for each client and can provide this information to your insurance company with a written request from you.
Fees
Counseling Services: We are committed to providing excellent service and highly skilled professionals for assisting you in meeting your goals. As part of this, fees are shown on your individual patient portal for the services you are receiving. Fees are due at the time of service. We accept cash, personal checks and Zelle. Any returned check fees will be the responsibility of the client. We understand that financial hardships can occur. If this happens, please discuss this with us so that we can address it together.
Mediation Services: Payment is due at the time of service in accordance with the contract to mediate which is discussed and signed at the first meeting, the orientation session. A retainer for writing the Memorandum of Understanding is held in an escrow account until services are completed.
Cancellations: We request at least 48 hours cancellation prior to a counseling appointment and three days prior cancellation for mediation sessions. Missed appointments or late cancellations will be billed at the agreed rate. Fees can be paid online. Exceptions to this policy are made in the event of an emergency, illness, accident or extreme weather. If you forget, are detained at work or find something better to do you will be financially responsible.
Reports & Documents: Written Reports such as psychological evaluations, treatment summaries for healt, other healthcare providers and attorneys are billed at the agreed hourly rate. Memorandum of Understanding for Mediation involves a retainer and will be billed at the hourly rate and paid from the retainer. Any balance remaining will be reimbursed.
Memorandum of Understanding: This is the document that outlines the mediated agreements, and is paid for via retainer to cover time involved in writing the agreement. Any unused portion of the retainer will be reimbursed.
Emails, Texts & Phone
Telephone: Support is available to all counseling clients between scheduled appointments for needed intervention and emergencies. Infrequent, brief conversations are free of charge. Telephone support that occurs more than one time a week, or for more than 10 minutes will be billed at the contracted hourly rate. Mediation clients are limited using phone communicatons to cancelling and scheduling appointments to maintain the mediator's neutralitiy.
Email and Texting for Counseling Clients: Unless your email and texting are encrypted or secured by a firewall on your server, they are not HIPAA compliant and therefore may be accessed by third parties. Cancellations and Rescheduling requests by email and/or text are welcome, but please do not send any personal content in this manner unless your service is encrypted. Please use the patient portal account you receive when you become a new client. All digital communication involving lengthy content will be billed at the hourly rate.
Email & Texting For Mediation Clients: E-mail may be used by the mediator to send information to educate clients about mediation services, to schedule mediation sessions and to deliver drafts of the Memorandum of Understandings. E-mail exchanges among participants should be sent to all involved in a mediation to support full disclosure, transparency and trust. E-mails sent by participants should be limited to scheduling sessions and revisions on the memorandum or understanding. Texting is limited to cancellations and rescheduling requests.