The therapeutic process varies from person to person. Many presenting concerns can be dealt with in a brief period of time, but this is not always the case. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to determine how long counseling will take.

YOUNG ADULTHOOD - THIS PHASE OF LIFE IS OFTEN EMOTIONALLY COMPLEX. It is filled with feelings of excitement and optimism that come with the newfound independence of adulthood. It is also counterbalanced with feelings of confusion, loneliness, and fear due to the loss of certainty about what the future holds.

A lot of people want their counselor to tell them what to do - but that is not what mental health counseling is all about. Therapists are not here to tell you what to do with your life - but more so here to assist you in finding the answers to your own questions inside.

Internal Family Systems is a worldwide movement and evidenced based model of non-pathologizing psychotherapy based on the understanding that the mind is naturally multiple and that we aren’t just one personality.

Walk-and-talk is a form of psychotherapy or consultation while walking outdoors in public places. I offer walk-and-talk sessions as an optional treatment modality.

Being online is nothing out of the ordinary for us - but doing therapy online is. Since COVID-19 almost 100% of medical and mental health services quickly transitioned to providing services via secure online video/audio platforms and now it is here to stay. So let’s answer some common questions asked and clear up some of the misinformation out there about online mental health counseling.

When thinking about entering into a relationship with a counselor/therapist or not, one of your evaluating factors HAS TO BE the societal stigma of “being in therapy”. Say what?! Huh. I don’t say this to heighten or increase the stigma but because this is a HUGE barrier that keeps people from asking for help from a trained mental health professional.

People don’t think twice about hiring an interior designer if they don’t have experience decorating houses, or hiring a wedding planner to coordinate their wedding weekend, or have pause about paying a plumber to come in and do some work.

Shannon Gonter is a licensed professional clinical counselor in Louisville, KY providing individual mental health counseling in her office off Goldsmith Ln. and online.

Counseling is a collaborative process which involves the development of a confidential, unique, therapeutic, helping relationship. This relationship is unlike any other as I, and other mental health therapists, will act as a facilitator in helping you better understand yourself, the world around you, your feelings, and your behaviors.

The law protects the privacy of all communications between a client and a counselor. In most situations, I can only release information about our professional relationship if you sign a written authorization form.

Interview with Brittany Johnson a licensed professional counseling in New Albany, Indiana and Shannon Gonter a licensed professional clinical counselor in Louisville, KY. Discuss the ins and outs of what counseling is, how to find a counselor, different ways of paying for counseling, and what to do if you feel like you and your counselor aren’t a good fit.

There is no set time frame, it looks different for each person. Therapy is a unique and flexible process that can be adapted to fit the needs of each and every client.

No matter what the topic is, there seems to be myths out there about it. Whether it’s that gum takes 7 years to digest once swallowed, or that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Not sure why myths are created, or what roots these counseling myths were originated in, but my thought is that they were created by people who were afraid to take the leap into personal growth, and/or who had a negative experience in counseling.

We’ve all seen the word, or variations of the word within the mental health scene. We know someone who has been in counseling or maybe we’ve had first-hand experience with it. But I don’t think a lot of people know what should and shouldn’t happen within the counseling hour, and honestly, I don’t think that’s their fault.

A lot of people want their counselor to tell them what to do - but that is not what mental health counseling is all about. Therapists are not here to tell you what to do with your life - but more so here to assist you in finding the answers to your own questions inside.

No matter what type of family you grew up in - we all have expectations set for us. Some have a lot - and some have very few. Some are very clear and explicitly stated and some you’ve got to piece together and read between the lines to digest.

When thinking about entering into a relationship with a counselor/therapist or not, one of your evaluating factors HAS TO BE the societal stigma of “being in therapy”. Say what?! Huh. I don’t say this to heighten or increase the stigma but because this is a HUGE barrier that keeps people from asking for help from a trained mental health professional.

Having perfectionistic ideals can be detrimental to your emotional wellbeing, lively hood and relationships. In this post we will explore the ways to combat your perfectionistic tendencies.

Though not everyone knows, there is a big difference between being a perfectionist and being a high achiever. This blog will detail the differences between the two.

What are the common characteristics of being a “perfectionist”. This post will detail some of the most poplar allowing you to look through them and see if any of them resonate with you.

It is impossible to not notice the actions of others around you (friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, strangers online…) and it makes it highly difficult to separate those actions from yourself when those behaviors trigger you. I mean I even get annoyed of people’s behaviors that I don’t even know! Just seeing certain things online or hearing about a friend’s friend I cringe over certain actions and so desperately want to get ahold of their lives and whip them into shape!

Ever wonder what was there before #FOMO? Was there anything? Were we missing out as much on things before? Were we having this same fear before someone hash tagged it?

…BUT THERE IS ONE OUT THERE FOR YOU. I KNOW IT! I ALSO KNOW THAT IT CAN BE COMPLICATED TO FIND THE RIGHT PROVIDER MATCH FOR YOU - SO I AM HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU IN THAT.

Louisville, KY is filled with mental health and wellness related businesses. In this post we will explore a variety of different agencies that can assist you in deepening the connection you have with self.

Educating yourself on various mental health related topics can be very beneficial and impactful on your day to day life. Check out the various podcasts and audio file apps that can assist you in exploring your inner world with more confidence and tackling the external happenings with more ease.

If you are a book worm, check out this blog post and explore some of these good reads. They are filled with science based, factual stories and information that is aimed at assisting you and your day to day life in regards to mental health and understanding yourself and your relationships better.

We all have so many different apps on our phones (a lot of them that we never use). How about deleting some of those and replacing them with ones that can benefit your overall sense of self and mental health?

We are constantly surfing the web, scrolling through newsfeeds and consuming information. In this post, we will provide you with a handful of new sites and videos to watch to deepen your understanding of meditation, mindfulness based practices and vulnerability.

Shannon Gonter, professional counselor with will detail the three main transitions affecting those due to COVID-19, some symptoms people might be experiencing and some actionable steps to take to cope during these uncertain times.

Self-care and the small business entrepreneurial world have lots in common. In this post we will explore some of them and ways that you can strengthen your self-care in your professional and personal spaces so you can thrive in all aspects of life.

A minor change in our days schedule can throw off our self care for the day. What happens when there is a MAJOR change to our day to day? Is self care the first to go? Learn how to stay on top of your self-care during these uncertain times.

Self-care is quite a trendy term and it is often overlooked. In this post we will break down the 8 different categories of self-care.

Men should do more self care because they are humans and humans on this planet need to do more self care!

I get it your busy. Maybe you feel like there is barely enough time to catch a breath throughout the day or take a bathroom break let alone think about or schedule in some self-care. Reminder: the point of self-care is not to add more things onto your schedule, to do list or to stress you out. It is to create and allow some space and time for you and your needs so you can show up and be more present, focused and ready to tackle those items that are on your schedule. Tips & Tricks to fitting it all in…

We need to find the time because with increased self-care in our lives comes increased productivity, burnout prevention, stress reduction, increasing our physical health and our knowledge of self. 

This guided imagery script will help you explore your values and connect with your authentic self. This is a great script to use as a relaxation technique and to get in touch with your true self, live up to your full potential, and live according to your true identity in day-to-day life.

A body scan will assist and allow you to bring awareness to every single part of your body, noticing any aches, pains, tensions or general discomfort that is often overlooked during our day to day because we are so busy and so many external things are demanding our attention.

A mantra meditation is repeating a word, phrase, prayer or fragment of a poem for meditation. This can be really great because you can easily personalize the mantra you want to use for the day to fit what is going on. Suggested to choose something that is uplifting and that inspires you to engage and connect with your heart.

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

Welcome to the 10-part meditation blog series that focuses on the various ways that meditation can assist you and your overall wellbeing. Each week I will publish a blog specifically dedicated to how a meditation practice can assist with lowering anxiety levels, seeing your path, help your thoughts go by more easily, etc. 

No matter who is doing the breaking up, break ups are hard (like really hard). And the tough parts don’t end after the official break up conversation happens. It lingers, it follows us around. It is near impossible to break up with someone and not have them cross your mind again (downfall to memories is they don’t leave your brain when the person physically leaves your life). It could be as simple as seeing or hearing things that remind you of your ex-partner for just a brief moment. Hard skill to learn, but a must do after a break up is to learn the appropriate coping skills to use to not allow those reminders of your ex derail your day.

If you find yourself stressed AF at times throughout your planning process, it’s totally okay (and so normal). But if you feel like you’re starting to drown in uncharted waters that have become your wedding plans, you might want to slow down and take a breather. 

Schools letting out, graduations are happening, more daylight is here and maybe even time for a vacation or two. Lots of exciting things happening…

Along with the brighter days, fresh flowers and upcoming outdoor activities comes a period of transition for you and your health. 

Let us take a look at how we can notice burn out in our lives before it takes over and consumes us. There are lots of different ways we can notice it so we can prevent the extreme overwhelm.

Let us take a look at what burn out looks like in real life. How it shows up and what it looks like.

In the past videos we have talked what what burn out is and many more, but this blog is going to focus on how to reframe burn out.

What leads to burn out? So many things - specially with the weight of everything these days. Check out this blog that is part of our burn out series to learn more.

What is burn out? Read and listen to learn about burn out in this blog that is part of our burn out series.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.

Confused by what this even means? Our internal protective system? Huh. I was confuzzled at first too - but just keep on reading and you will see how at the core - all our thoughts, feelings and sensations are protecting us from something.

There is a huge pressure that is put on kids to “brush it off” and “push through it”. This creates very little space for them to learn about your inner thoughts, emotions and needs. Making it difficult to navigate their inner experiences.

People think that anxiety is having a panic attack or not liking big crowds. Well that is some of what anxiety is, but it’s so much more than that. It shows up in each and every one of our lives – but in very different ways and severity levels.

Lots and lots of emotions out there, like lots. And they fall all over the map from positive to neutral to negative (with some fluctuating on placement dependent on the given situation). My personal opinion (and a popular one) on emotions is that not a lot of emotions are inherently “bad” or “negative” to feel, it’s what we do with that emotion that can be “bad” or “negative”. But there is an exception to this rule, and I will say, with confidence, that shame can almost always be classified as a “bad” emotion. 

Ever wonder what was there before #FOMO? Was there anything? Were we missing out as much on things before? Were we having this same fear before someone hash tagged it?

Do you ever feel like you are completely failing at this whole “don’t compare yourself to others” thing?! 

Isolation is tough. Loneliness is difficult. Navigating both during the time of a global pandemic can be overwhelming. Learn the difference of isolation and loneliness in this post and assist yourself in igniting the healing process during times of COVID-19.

A minor change in our days schedule can throw off our self care for the day. What happens when there is a MAJOR change to our day to day? Is self care the first to go? Learn how to stay on top of your self-care during these uncertain times.

Self-care is quite a trendy term and it is often overlooked. In this post we will break down the 8 different categories of self-care.

Shannon Gonter, professional counselor with will detail the three main transitions affecting those due to COVID-19, some symptoms people might be experiencing and some actionable steps to take to cope during these uncertain times.