Relationships

Trauma & Anxiety

Parenting

Self-Help Resources

Types of Counseling

Solution-Focused Counseling

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a fast-acting, goal-focused therapeutic approach that helps clients change by helping them construct solutions rather than merely dwell on problems. A Solution-Focused perspective is based on the belief that significant therapeutic change can occur quickly by identifying and implementing incremental changes to the client’s past attempted solutions.

Clients often already possess elements of a useful solution, and it is the Solution-Focused therapist's job to help clients recognize and build upon these areas of strength. Say goodbye to therapy where your therapist just nods his head and says"Hmmm." The therapist in this style of therapy is active but not directive, encouraging clients to view themselves as agents of change rather than victims of circumstance.

Learn more about Solution-Focused Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, more commonly known as EMDR, is a remarkable form of therapy specifically designed to help people effectively cope with the effects of stress, anxiety and trauma in their life. Discovered in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been used to successfully treat several million people. EMDR is now accepted by the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense for the treatment of acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Our director Clay Watkins is a Level 2 trained EMDR therapist. Contact him to arrange an evaluation, and find out today if you are a good candidate for EMDR treatment.

Learn more about EMDR and the treatment of trauma, fear and anxiety

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is an opportunity to receive support and experience growth during challenging times in life. It can be effective in helping a person deal with personal issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marriage and relationship challenges, parenting problems, school difficulties and career changes. Individual therapy generally consists of weekly, 50 minute sessions with a licensed therapist.

Couples Counseling

All couples experience periodic ups and downs, conflicts and misunderstandings. This is only natural, since every relationship between two people is, in essence, a cross-cultural experience. Let's face it, we all grow up with experiences, parents and communication styles that are unique to our families. In addition, we all learn a non-verbal style of communicating that teaches us to expect certain actions from our partners under certain conditions. Often couples are able to work through these differences and move on. But sometimes, frequently for the best of reasons, conflicts remain unresolved and frustration mounts. This is when couples counseling can be of help. You can think of it as adding tools to your relational toolbox. Couples counseling often assists clients in verbalizing their expectations of one another, defining and clarifying their wants and preferences, and working through the myriad of everyday problems confronted by even the healthiest couples.

Family Counseling

Family counseling can take a variety of forms. Sometimes it is best to see an entire family together for a few sessions. At other times it may be better to see children and their parents separately. Whatever the format, the goal of family counseling is to identify the dynamics that cause problems and to institute changes in the structure or style of how the family operates. A small change in one area can often have tremendous impact on other areas, which means that significant gains can often be produced quickly and dramatically. As in many areas of life, relational problems will not go away just by ignoring them, so call today and get on track to a more enjoyable relationship with those you care about most.

Pre-Marital Counseling

Prepare yourself for marriage by proactively addressing the problems that come up most often in marriages. Plan on eight weekly sessions that cover these issues and more:

Making different communication styles work
Family planning and parenting styles
Attitudes toward money and material possessions
Marital fidelity, commitment and trust issues
In-laws, family and friends
Sex and intimacy issues
How to resolve conflict
Decision-making styles
Religious and philosophical compatibility
Roles and dividing up household responsibilities
Time management
Addictions, hobbies and annoyances
Anger and abuse
Ridding yourself of emotional baggage
Balancing career and family
Mutual interests and keeping things fun

College Transitions

Going off to college is one of the most profound points of transition in most people's lives. It can be a time of great discovery and excitement or a time of deep confusion and disorientation. As the Self develops, it is met with the challenges of new relationships and new identities on a regular basis. At the Village Counseling Center Center we have each been through these transitions and are able to help guide our clients through this period in a way that fosters healthy growth and exploration. We are committed to being a source of comfort and support for the students in our community.

Online Therapy Services

Online counseling through videoconferencing software and webcams is now available. Consultations via encrypted email are available now for $25 per email. Contact us for more information.

Our director, Clay Watkins, M.A. LMFT, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Our director, Clay Watkins, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He provides individual, couples and family counseling. He specializes in anxiety-related difficulties including panic attacks, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and phobias. He has advanced training and a decade of experience utilizing EMDR to treat trauma, and his unique brand of counseling integrates a solution-focused perspective that often speeds up the therapy process compared to more traditional forms of counseling. (BBS License #: MFC 37239)
Clay's Curriculum Vitae

In addition to seeing clients himself, Clay coordinates referrals to a network of experienced and qualified counselors with a variety of specialties to meet your specific needs. Contact him today and start creating a better life for you and your family.

Philosophy

At Village Counseling Center we believe most people have the resources to solve their problems. At times, however, a trauma or broken relationships or even the normal pressures of life can cause us to lose sight of our strengths; obscuring our natural ability to problem solve. Counseling provides a safe place where clients can regain their perspective, find acceptance, and challenge themselves to grow. And though true growth does require significant effort and courage, we at Village Counseling Center believe happiness is worth the price. Call us and begin building a better life, one risk at a time.