Therapy
Living life as a human is joyous, painful, challenging, confusing, uncertain, peaceful, and wonderful. Why not make use of every possible resource along that way? We can help you navigate decisions, feelings, and relationships so that you can be clear minded, purposeful and thoughtful about your journey. It’s time to stop ignoring your struggles and fear of being judged, and grab hold of the help that awaits. Cue the Camel City Counseling team.
If this is a new experience for you, try to imagine the most emotionally safe space you can muster. Supportive, nonjudgmental, confidential, unbiased, and compassionate. Collectively, we are trained in a variety of therapies shown to improve your wellbeing including EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Brainspotting, Play Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and more. You can come into this private inviting space in person or online to reflect, process, share, or resolve whatever is on your mind.
We see children as young as 5, parents, families, couples, and individuals who are here for a variety of reasons. You may be here to find out how to live a more meaningful life, manage your ADHD, reduce anxiety, manage depression, set better goals, improve your marriage, reduce your work related challenges, make better decisions, better manage your team of professionals, process grief/loss, or finally rid yourself of those difficult childhood memories.
We are your objective confidant who can look out for your true best interests and help you get to the root of any barriers to wellness. We tend to your needs using both the evidence based practices and art of psychotherapy. If you’re hesitating to reach out, we invite you to push through the fear or worry and see how one of our therapists can help you make change or find new paths to peace.
Online Video Sessions (NC, FL, NY)
If getting to the office is standing in your way, that’s not a problem. We’ve got you covered with our online therapy and coaching services for busy clients and folks that want to tap into our quality services from afar. This includes couples, groups, EMDR, disordered eating, and even family therapy. Based out of Winston-Salem, NC, we LOVE meeting our clients wherever they need us within our licensure boundaries. When your life doesn’t fit in a perfect box, we meet you in the messy circle. We’ve literally done it all virtually so you are in excellent tech-savvy hands. No more hurdles. We’ll see you on the web.
Couples
Couples therapy can be extremely beneficial whether your are experiencing distress in your relationship or simply want to grow deeper together. Partnerships go through many seasons and not unlike our own individual growth, the lifespan of a couple can experience many ups and downs. We offer several practical approaches to help folks navigate their relationships in a deeper more meaningful way.
Emotion Focused Therapy is based on Sue Johnson’s work that is evidence-based and has a high probability for a positive outcome. We also periodically offer book clubs and intensives for your intimacy growth based on this model.
We show up in our relationships the way we learned to BE in relationship when we were growing up. Any positive or negative experiences we traveled through show up in who we’re attracted to, how we communicate, how we get our needs met, how we hide our emotions and how comfortable we are with intimacy.
Find deeper meaning with our therapists. Because we believe every human deserves all the resources available when navigating the most important aspects of our life - our relationships.
**Relationships can survive and even thrive in times of "forced togetherness." Here are tips and wisdom from Lauren Shriver at Camel City Counseling on creating connections during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Families / Children / Teens
We are super ready to see your family! We LOVE tinies, middles, and big littles. Supporting your family is one of our primary objectives and we are GAME ON when it comes to Family Systems Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Therapy. We also have mad skills at getting your teen to talk to us.
Children are MADE to play! Play therapists use this super power to help your kiddos prevent or resolve all manner of things including:
- ADHD
- Resolving trauma
- Foster Care / Adoption
- Social skills
- Sleeping/Eating issues
- Self esteem
- Grief/loss
- Chronic illness
- Physical symptoms without medical cause (think "my tummy hurts")
- Bonding and attachment issues
- Identity Stuff
- Making friends
- Prenatal and birth trauma
- Adjusting to family changes
- Emotion regulation
- School anxiety
- Fears - Worry - Sadness
Teens are their own breed and there's nothing more weird and wonderful than adolescence. We are all pretty crazy about working with teens of all ages and employ ninja like skills to help them learn to process emotions, communicate effectively, and feel confident in the person they are becoming. Sometimes it seems like sessions with teens are 90% focused on their latest TikTok, but we promise there is a lot of intentionality in those conversations, and subtle guidance toward wellness and self worth.
We know that families come in all shapes and sizes. There is literally (probably) nothing we have NOT heard before. Whether you want to come in with your adult children, grandmother, cousin or your littles, we'll craft a plan to help you reach your goals.
Groups
If you fearfully clicked this link and tried to ignore the tiny amount of bile that came up in your throat at the thought of being in a small group, you’re not alone. We got you! Individual therapy is fantastic. But group therapy can take your growth next level IF you show up and engage.
We run process groups. Support groups. Educational groups. And sometimes we run "groups" around a particular book or subject.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- What do people think of me?
- How can I approach relationships differently?
- Am I "normal"?
- How do other people handle this problem?
Then you might be down for a group experience. Groups give you the rare opportunity to get these questions answered. You can break patterns, grow from feedback and identify feelings/reactions all in real-time. Groups also help you realize you’re not alone, facilitate giving and receiving support, help you find your “voice,” relate to others and your self in healthier ways, and provide a safety net as you try out new ways of being.
We LOVE groups because where else can you get this experience, and have this much growth in such a short amount of time?
To see what groups we're currently offering, visit us here.
Walk & Talk Therapy
Moving the body can be such a healing, invigorating, life changing thing. We don’t really talk much about exercise around here, but mindful movement of the body is great for all of our systems. Walking and talking is an awesome way to check in with your therapist, and feel connected to nature. Whether you’re walking with your therapist downtown Winston-Salem OR you’re walking in nature while on a confidential call with your therapist, we can’t wait to connect.
Camel City Calm
Calm is something you cultivate. Mindfulness is the ultimate state of being present and it takes a lot of practice. Camel City Calm is a series of workshops, interventions, therapies, and resources that are aimed at increasing strategies for stress reduction, and wellbeing. Who doesn’t want to feel more CALM when we’re surrounded by chaos? Inner calm is an awesome feeling when faced with challenges, stresses, difficult employees, holiday gatherings, or even an important presentation. You get the picture. We will post links here as services and offerings are available!
Disordered Eating
Life is hard. Food is life. We want you to have a respectful relationship with your body and food. Even when the world objectifies both.
We apply intuitive eating and HAES (Health at Every Size) principles. Intuitive eating ideals engage clients with the following:
- Reject the diet mentality.
- Honor your hunger.
- Make peace with food.
- Challenge the food police.
- Discover the satisfaction factor.
- Cope with your emotions with kindness.
- Respect your body.
- Movement - feel the difference.
- Honor your health through gentle nutrition.
HAES is built on respect, critical awareness, and compassionate self care.
Disordered eating is not uncommon and can begin to blossom in the adolescent years especially with the increased risk of social media comparison and a culture filled with messages about how our bodies should look. You may work with a counselor via individual, group or intensive type therapies. Trauma is also addressed through the therapeutic process inviting each client to not only work on disordered eating but also look at possible underlying negative experiences.
We’re here to provide a safe nonjudgmental compassionate space to heal.
Intensives
We are here to make a BIG impact in the areas you need us. That’s why we offer day long, multi-day long or weekend intensives to help couples, families or specialized groups create lasting connections and growth. Sometimes intensives are in Winston-Salem, another location or completely virtual. Stay tuned to connect to these unique experiences with highly skilled therapists and facilitators.
To see what groups we're currently offering, visit us here.
Integrated Listening Systems (iLs)
iLs is a multi-sensory program for increasing brain function. The Focus System activities are fun and can be customized for all ages and skill levels. Services provided in office or via supervised in-home use. This approach can be extremely effective in creating new neural pathways and reducing anxiety and ADHD symptoms in a LONG-LASTING way. The sessions are painless, fun and engaging. Think of it as occupational therapy for the brain! We have seen this approach create quiet miracles and is an amazing alternative to medicine. In 2020, we will be incorporating the Safe and Sound Protocol which is a remarkable tool to help reduce the impact of trauma.
The integrated Listening website is a wealth of information on this neurologically based approach to change.
Coaching / Supervision / Speaking
Here at Camel City Counseling, we have hired the best and the brightest. Our founder has a passion for creating a space for clients to be well cared for and for clinicians to feel at home working in their passions.
Sara Hepler offers coaching & consulting services for other therapists begining their journey into private practice. She is certain that the more excellent mental health professionals in the community, the more the community benefits. She also is available for speaking engagements regarding the impact of trauma, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and more.
Lisa Peaty is a well respected Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has spoken at churches and schools regarding parenting, raising healthy children, reducing anxiety, and more. She has a wealth of knowledge and a heart for healing.
Annamarie Gallagher has accumulated 3,000 hours toward her Certificate in Eating Disorder Specialist and is well known for her care of clients, creative use of modalities, and passion for healing. She has also been a clinical supervisor for six years and enjoys developing new clinicians.
Yoga / Mindful Movement
We gratefully offer weekly Yoga for Mental Health and Yoga Nidra classes. Yoga is an evidence based practice to reduce anger, anxiety and PTSD symptoms as well as improving sleep and mood. Yoga Nidra is a fantastic state of relaxation that brings you into increasing awareness of your inner world. It is especially effective with those suffering with PTSD symptoms or would like to create a mindful relaxation practice in a busy world.
Mindful movement is not yoga. It is a way to creatively connect with your body and a fun outlet. It’s perfect for anyone of any age. And it’s especially helpful for those who have experienced disordered eating, body hatred, body dysmorphia, poor body image, or lesser forms of these struggles.
To see what groups we're currently offering, visit us here.
Massage
The body keeps the score of our experiences. Massage is yet another tool to find release and restoration. We partner with local talented massage therapists who are adept at working with trauma. We believe wellbeing lives not just in the brain but in the entire body from our head to our toes.
Expressive Arts Therapy
Do you denounce your inner creative? Don’t consider yourself artistic? Then this is the PERFECT type of class, therapy or workshop for you. The process of creating is within ALL of us. And if you clicked on this link, then you must be resisting the temptation to invalidate your creativity. We offer classes, one time events, and often weave in this type of work into therapy sessions. Expressive arts therapy is the practice of using imagery, storytelling, dance, music, drama, poetry, movement, horticulture, dreamwork and visual arts to foster growth, development and healing. The end product is not the goal. The creating and connecting is the healing process.
Integrated Model of Care
Have you ever seen a therapist for ABC and then another therapist later for XYZ? We hear it all the time. "I hate starting over with a new therapist!" Well, our Integrated Model of Care is a unique opportunity for you to experience holistic care that actually creates lasting change. You will receive a WHOLE PERSON treatment plan without having to experience multiple "start overs" with multiple therapists. You will get to start and end your journey with us hopefully working to a final resolution of your struggle. We want you to leave our office leading with an increased sense of self-actualization and unburdened.
An example of this approach may look like an initial consultation with a Camel City Counseling therapist who identifies that you could benefit from several of our specialties to treat your anxiety symptoms. We will consult with our internal colleagues and create a "plan of attack." We will then present our plan to you and it may look like this:
- 6 weeks of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- 6 weeks of EMDR
- Simultaneous weekly Yoga Nidra classes
- Monthly massage therapy focused on rewiring muscle memory where you body holds anxiety
We’ll get your feedback and then rework or enact the plan while checking in periodically. We are looking for measurable results here. Not just never-ending therapy that leads you to talk endlessly about your weekly struggles but doesn’t have an end in sight. This is focused, targeted, and treats the entirety of the struggle you want help with.
