Shenandoah Family Therapy

“I am stuck. I don’t know what to do or how I even got to this point”

“It’s like I can’t be happy, even when I’m doing the things I normally love.”

“No one cares about me or even tries to help. I’m absolutely alone.”
“I can’t tell anyone about the things I’ve been through. I’m too much of a burden. They wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Everything is just too much, all of the time.”

Life can be exhausting. Overwhelming. It can throw you curveballs that you were never prepared for. Stress or trauma that feels inescapable. You are surrounded by people who don’t know the real you, even your own family and friends. You feel like you don’t know yourself and can’t understand the people around you.

You are not alone. Others around you are going through this every day. But nobody talks about it! What if you could change that for yourself? Maybe it’s time to get talking in therapy.

Hi, I’m Hannah. I’m a Graduate Intern at Shenandoah Family Therapy, under the supervision of Kathryn Walkley, LMFT in the state of Virginia.

I’ve been a working mental health professional since 2018. I received my bachelor’s in psychology from Walden University in 2020 and immediately started my graduate counseling program that same year. I’ve worked in a psychiatric treatment facility, community mental health, and currently with Shenandoah Family Therapy, providing telehealth services to a diverse group of clients - from children as young as 7 up through older adults in their retirement years, and in many different circumstances and stages of life.

I’m here to help! Whether you’re a new mom who feels like the world is closing in on you, a person in the LGBTQIA+ community in need of more support, a teen worrying that no one could possibly understand you, or a survivor who’s been through unspeakable things, my goal is to help you understand who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there.

Our counseling sessions are focused on you, and I’ll always follow your lead. I am here to create and hold a safe place for you to explore all of the things that are important in your life.

In our sessions, you might cry, laugh, get angry, feel proud, but most of all I hope that you feel heard. It is possible to become who you want to be, even if it feels far away.

Email me at [email protected] to schedule a free 15 minute consultation to learn more about the teletherapy services that I offer, to anyone in Virginia.

Everyone is welcome here. Happy Pride Month!

Did you know that Shenandoah Family Therapy partners with Open Path Collective to provide reduced rate/sliding scale services? At this time, we have openings for new and current Open Path Collective members interested in working with Hannah Gibson for a low rate of just $30 per session.

Open Path Collective offers a lifetime membership to those who qualify and access to reduced rate services with therapists and counselors around the country. To learn more and view Hannah's profile visit:

Persephone Gibson: Student Intern - Broadway, VA Persephone Gibson is a Student Intern in Broadway, VA; Persephone Gibson specializes in Child or Adolescent, Depression, Gender or Sexual Identity Exploration, LGBTQ+ (Sexuality), Identity Issues, Stress, Women

As we are nearing the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk more about the numbers related to mental health in Virginia, our home state!

According to World Population Review, there are over 8.5 million people living in the state of Virginia. Of that 8.5 million, about 20% is estimated to have some sort of mental health condition. This totals around 1.7 million people actively living with a mental health concern in Virginia at any given time.

That’s a lot of people! Maybe you or someone you love are among that group.

Those experiencing mental health concerns can often feel lonely, unsupported, and unheard. Mental illnesses can disrupt a person’s ability to function in a number of areas, including, but not limited to, thinking, feeling, and relating to others. These can be any number of conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can range from trouble with sleep, eating, mood swings, dissociation, and inability to regulate emotions, just to name a few.

It is important to seek help, if you are experiencing mental health symptoms, just as you would see a doctor or medical professional for physical health problems.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to the crisis hotline, by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org or by calling 911 if you are in immediate
danger. You may also reach out to your local Community Services Board for help/ (https://dbhds.virginia.gov/library/community%20contracting/csb-emergencyphoneno.pdf).

If you are experiencing mental health symptoms, but are not in crisis, and are interested in therapy services with us, please feel free to find us online at https://www.SFTHelp.com for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

Remember, you don’t have to be alone in this.

(Image/Message Credit: Hannah Gibson, Intern Counselor at Shenandoah Family Therapy)

💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is all about starting conversations, ending stigma, and spreading the word that mental health care is HEALTHCARE! Most of us wouldn't hesitate to get help for physical health symptoms or encourage a loved one to go to the doctor when they are sick. But, when it comes to mental health, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions holding us back from getting support. Here are 5 myths and facts about mental health.

Thinking of starting therapy? We've got you covered! Graduate Intern, Hannah Gibson is ready to listen with compassion, hold space for your worries, and help you find direction and healing. Hannah is accepting new individual adult, teen, or child clients for telehealth sessions anywhere in Virginia.

To learn more, send us an email at [email protected], or visit www.sfthelp.com

I am pleased to announce our newest graduate intern counselor from Walden University! Welcome to Shenandoah Family Therapy, Hannah Gibson!

Hannah is accepting new individual adult, teen, or child clients for telehealth sessions anywhere in Virginia. If you're interested in learning more or working with Hannah, please email [email protected] for details.

Here's a little intro from Hannah:

"Hi everyone, my name is Hannah.

I am a new intern at Shenandoah Family Therapy. I am so excited to get started in my counseling career, and the first step to doing so is being supervised by Katie to finish up the master's program I've been working on at Walden University since August 2020.

I’ve been in the mental health field professionally since 2018. I’ve worked as a residential instructor at an inpatient psychiatric facility for children and teens; a case manager at a children’s shelter; and most recently, a case manager for adults in a supportive housing program. I’ve also worked office jobs, retail, childcare, and food service jobs throughout my life, so I’ve been around the block, in a way.

I come to the counseling world with a client-centered way of thinking. Working to help people different ways has shown me how important it is to design a counseling experience uniquely for each individual. Everyone has different needs, thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and it is important to me to ensure anyone working with me will receive therapy tailored to their unique needs and experiences.

You are the expert on your life, and in your sessions with me, I will follow your lead. My role, and goal, will be to help you process your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, so that you can get a better sense of who you are, what you want and need, and how you are going to get those wants and needs met.

I am passionate about working through life’s challenges with people and providing everyone with a safe place to come and explore their true selves. I support people of all genders, sexualities, races, abilities, and religions. I welcome you and your experiences into our sessions with open arms!

In my ever-dwindling free time as a mother and graduate student, you can find me playing Animal Crossing, watching Netflix shows, enjoying family time with my son and three cats, reading, listening to music, or writing/journaling.

I am very much looking forward to meeting and supporting you through life’s ups and downs!"

My newest co-therapist is sleeping on the job today, but I don't think anyone will mind! 🐾 💙

Feeling a little stuck in your relationship or marriage? 😬
MFT Intern Jordyn Shaffer is here to help! Jordyn has immediate openings for couples looking to improve communication, create understanding, and strengthen their relationship with couples therapy.
✅ Evening appointments available
✅ Immediate openings, no waitlist
✅ Affordable at just $40 per session
✅ Video sessions that are convenient and secure
✅ Available for couples anywhere in Virginia
Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Jordyn to learn more: https://sfthelp.clientsecure.me/request/clinician

Need help? We're here! Visit www.sfthelp.com or email [email protected] to learn more.

Shenandoah Family Therapy is growing again as we get ready to welcome a new intern to the practice, Jordyn Shaffer! Jordyn will be starting the orientation/training process next week and will be ready to accept new clients in April. Interested in learning more? Email us at [email protected]

Here's a message from Jordyn:

“Hello, my name is Jordyn (She/They)!

I have been a board-certified music therapist for over five years working full-time in an inpatient, partial, and outpatient setting where I facilitate music therapy groups. And now, I am pursuing a masters degree in marriage and family therapy at Capella University.

We all experience stress and challenges in life. I have learned through my work as a music therapist that the burdens of trauma and mental health challenges are not just a problem with the individual person. Our experiences and struggles are strongly influenced by our context, the community, family system, culture, and so on, which surround us. This has inspired me to pursue the next step in my career in becoming a marriage and family therapist - not only helping individuals, but also strengthening systems and relationships of families and couples.

Helping individuals, couples, and families identify, express, and cope with their emotional experiences is my passion. I believe in the importance of integrating and connecting the many ways we experience life - physical sensations, thought processes, verbal and nonverbal emotional expressions - in a way that helps us navigate and live life in better harmony with ourselves and with others.

Therapy isn’t “one-size-fits all.” I firmly believe in collaborating with you and seeking to understand your unique needs, experiences, and goals. It’s your life to live and your choices to make. I’m here to support you, invite curiosity, honor your thoughts and ideas, and share new strategies for thriving.

I am dedicated to multicultural awareness and trauma-informed care in working with clients. I am also educated and experienced in working with individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community. I welcome and am ready to lovingly support anyone navigating topics of gender identity or sexual orientation.

In my free time (which is creatively constructed as a working student!), I enjoy watching cooking shows, making origami, writing and playing music, spending time with my loved ones, and playing board games!

I can’t wait to meet you and partner with you on your healing journey!

P.S. - Here are a few highlights for anyone interested in knowing more about my educational background and experience in the mental health field thus far:
- Undergraduate degree in Music Therapy from Eastern Michigan University
- Certified in Sprouting Melodies, an award-winning early childhood music program
- Supervised by Joan A. Turkus, co-founder of The Center: Posttraumatic Disorders program, and medical director for TraumaSci:Complex Trauma Disorders Program
- Member of the Trauma-Informed Care Committee at the hospital where I work
- Music therapy supervisor and clinician working with individuals with trauma, eating disorders, substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-injurious behavior, thought disorders, gender dysphoria, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity
disorder, and more. ”

Goodbye 2022.

Hello...self-care, healthy boundaries, mental wellness, stronger relationships?

If therapy is part of your goals for 2023, Shenandoah Family Therapy is here for you! Maybe this is your first time, or it's been awhile and you want to get back into therapy. Either way, it's a great time to get started. We have openings for new individuals, couples, teens, and families anywhere in Virginia. Click here to learn more: https://www.shenandoahfamilytherapy.com/

(*Friends and Family - While I cannot provide therapy directly to friends and family, I'd be happy to help you get connected with other professionals if you're looking for support. I also appreciate it when you all show some love and support a small business with a like and share 🥰)

(Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash)

A wonderful opportunity coming up this weekend for vets and first responders to de-stress and practice some self-care. Breaking Free horses are amazing therapy animals! Having spent time at the farm myself, I can personally attest to their completely calming, loving, and accepting presence. Also…did someone say FREE!?

Check it out share the info with a veteran or first responder who you love and you know could use a little relief.

All Veterans and First Responders. Come check us out to see how Breaking Free can help with stress relief.

Abi and I had an absolutely amazing time helping out today at Breaking Free as they welcomed a group of women veterans to the farm for the afternoon. The day included beautiful therapeutic activities with horses, tons of smiles, and meaningful connections between humans and horses. Unforgettable!

I’m loving my 9 year old daughter’s creation here. She’s right, you know…all you need to do is BE YOU ❤️

Dr. Julie Gottman is . Knowledgable. Steady. Precise. You just feel like everything is going to be okay when you are listening to her speak. She's absolutely the kind of therapist I want to be when I grow up! So, this week, I'm working through my Level 2 Clinical Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Hoping to absorb and integrate as much info as I can, but also to learn a few things from that way of being, that presence, too!

Counseling Intern, Abi Sims has officially started at Shenandoah Family Therapy! AAAANND...she has openings to take on some new clients. Here are some of the benefits of working with a student intern...

⭐ Reduced fees for service - SFT is offering lower session rates as a "thank you" to clients who are willing to be part of Abi's learning experience. If the cost of therapy has been holding you back from starting counseling, working with Abi is a great option!

⭐ Secure and private online video sessions where you can stay in the comfort of your own home!

⭐ OR, Combine online appointments with the option to experience outdoor walk-and-talk sessions - meet up with Abi at one of Broadway's walking paths to get some light physical exercise and a supportive, enriching counseling conversation. (Only available to local individual clients)

⭐ YOU get to be a part of Abi's professional development and help us get another wonderful counselor into the profession so that she can help many people for years to come in her career.

⭐ All of Abi's assigned cases are supervised by a licensed mental health professional (Hey, that's me!), Katie Walkley, LMFT. Abi is not working all on her own, she will be in contact with me weekly to share her experiences and get feedback directly on how she can help her clients and grow her skills. I will even drop in on sessions from time to time to see how things are going, live and in the moment!

If you or someone you know is interested in getting started with secure, private, online therapy, call or email today to learn more about getting started. And if you don't, SHARE this post because it might reach someone in your network who really needs it.

Call: 540-324-9079
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.sfthelp.com

(**SFT can only serve clients living in the state of Virginia, due to licensing status**)

Who's ready for back-to-school?? 🙋‍♀️
(In a weird kind of post-COVID, but it's all not quite over, but we need some normalcy, so we'll be very cautiously optimistic - kind of way)

If you're worried about your kids' mental wellness while starting out school, you can do a lot of internet searching about ways to help make the transition a good one. I took a peek earlier today and there are TONS of articles out there about how parents can support children and teens facing down a new school year. (Routines, listening, asking questions, importance of sleep, etc.)

So, I'll make a different suggestion: Find out who your school counselor is. School counselors are EXCELLENT resources, often only thought about to help with academic planning/scheduling or college applications. But these school heroes can help with so much more, from helping with social and behavioral problems, to providing support for kids going through tough times, to responding to a student in crisis, to providing individual and small-group supports, to helping link families with resources outside of school that promote mental wellness, health, and safety.

🍎 Check out your school's website to find out who your school counselor hero is.

🎻 Ask your child/teen if they know their school counselor.

🖍 Let them know that this is a person who is there to help and talk about different situations that a school counselor can help with.

🏫 Maybe send an email and introduce yourself to the school counselor to put your family on their radar.

🎨 If there are things going on in the family outside of school that you think might impact your child throughout the school day, reach out and ask your school counselor if they know of any resources to help, or if they wouldn't mind just checking in with your kid and letting the student know that he/she/they can help.

⭐️ And finally, (Bonus points!) drop your school counselor a note or word of encouragement and gratitude for the good work they do!

(Photo by Matt Ragland on Unsplash)

EXCITING NEWS!
Shenandoah Family Therapy will be welcoming a new and our very first counseling intern in August: Abi Sims! With Abi onboard, SFT can provide additional services for clients interested in online counseling in Virginia. If you are interested in learning more about working with Abi, email us at [email protected]

In the meantime, here's a bit of info about our new counseling intern....

"My name is Abi, and I am a student intern pursuing my Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health at Liberty University. I received my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. I view counseling through a client-centered lens, which means I believe that you already possess the ability to flourish.

I'm here to help you unlock your potential and find your strengths to do just that: flourish. Much of what happens to us as kids, no matter what kind of parents, upbringing, education, or experiences we did or did not have, ends up affecting us in adulthood. Then, as adults, we can get stuck in life wondering how we got to this place, or why we react and behave certain ways - not even realizing we're carrying around all of our past while trying to create the future.

When we work together, I'll help you unpack the load you're carrying. We will process through and work toward understanding the relationship between current emotions and behaviors, and past events, all while moving closer to freedom one step at a time.

You already have resources like your unique talents, strengths, and skills, spirituality, support systems, and values. I will help you put your existing resources to work in more effective ways, and work with you to discover new supports that will enhance your life. My Christian faith, for example, is one of the things that has helped me on my own journey. For those who are interested, I can offer a Biblical perspective in counseling.

No matter what you're going through, I'll meet you where you are. Let's do this together. I look forward to partnering with you on your path toward healing."

😎 Summer is here! Okay, okay, the first official day of summer isn't until June 20th, but the weather is heating up, that last day of school is in a few short days (or has already come and gone for some students!), pools are opening up..the signs are all around us for sure.

All of this is good news, right? So why does it sometimes feel like everyone else is enjoying summer more? Or the days aren't living up to the hype?

Summer is great, but never underestimate the power of a big routine, structure, or weather shift has on you your mental health.

For kids and teens, summer brings lower academic demands, but also less structure and socializing with peers. Those routines can really provide an anchor - keeping kids focused, reassured, and feeling in-control. Anxiety and irritability can set in when it's hard to predict exactly what is happening each day and the general rhythm of life is not what it has been for the past several months.

Adults and parents now have to juggle the demands of working (mostly likely indoors and wishing they were outside instead) AND making sure that summer is fun for themselves or kids. Vacations, day-trips, amusement parks, swimming pools, and so on are so, so, so fun! But we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our families to enjoy it. And if anything goes wrong, then what was even the point? This can lead to feeling stressed, inadequate, anxious, irritable, and disappointed with ourselves...especially when we can't figure out why the kids are acting so crazy when this is summer vacation and they should be enjoying themselves DARN IT! (Whew!)

So when summer feels a bit too go-go-go and simultaneously not enough to do, and it seems weird that everyone isn't just happier - acknowledge that just because something is fun and positive doesn't mean that the change itself isn't difficult or stressful.

Some practical things that can help everyone...

☀️ Anchor yourself or your family in a routine. Find something that can be mostly consistent from day to day. Maybe that's waking up at a certain time each morning (even when it's tempting to sleep in). Or going to bed at the same time most nights (even when it's tempting to just stay up all night). Keeping family meal times going on as many days as possible. Or setting aside some consistent quiet or rest time each day.

☀️ Acknowledge and own the fact that when you DO feel stressed or it feels like your kids are nothing but grumpy even when you're doing all kinds of fun stuff ....it's NORMAL. These moments are going to happen along with all of the good stuff.

☀️ Give yourself time and space for self-care. It's tempting to be on the go, entertaining/hosting, or trying to sqeeze in every moment of fun. But remember to slow down. Do some yoga. Read a book. Take a nap. Have a quiet day indoors. Whatever helps you regroup and refresh.

☀️ ....And FINALLY, if things are feeling off and you can't shake it. Or your child or teen are just persistently not themselves anymore, don't be afraid to start therapy. Everyone needs help from time to time. You're not a failure if you need to get help, even in the summertime. It's a complete myth that things will be better or you should be able to handle all of this just because it's now 90 degrees outside everyday. It's okay to not be okay and it's okay to get help.

Photo by Angelo Pantazis on Unsplash

To all the moms - working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, adoptive moms, grandmas, second moms, stepmoms, foster moms, new moms, moms-to-be, mom-in-laws, chosen moms, surrogate moms, work moms, soccer (or any other organized youth activity) moms, crunchy moms, and any other types of mom I left out - I see you out there! And let me tell you this, you’re crushing it. We couldn’t do this life thing without moms. Thank you for all that you’re doing.❤️