The word counseling is used to describe a therapeutic relationship or a collaborative effort between an individual, a couple, a family or a group and a professional who has been trained to assist people in times of hardship or crisis, or to help them find purpose, increase self-awareness, grow and know themselves better. 

Professional counselors help clients identify the cause of their distress, set up goals and find potential solutions to problems that are causing emotional confusion and/or interfere with enjoying life. 

In counseling, clients learn to improve communication and coping skills, they strengthen their self-esteem and change the ways they perceive themselves, others and the world. In the counseling sessions, clients examine their behaviors, thoughts and feelings and understand how those are causing difficulties in their lives. We help people eliminate toxic self talk and practice mindfulness.

Why do people seek counseling?

There are many times in our lives when we all feel we need someone to listen to us without judgment. Counseling is not just for those who suffer from serious psychological problems or have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. A counselor can help to identify individual's real needs to assist them in the process of improving communication skills, making responsible decisions, quieting the mind and finding what they really want to become.

The therapeutic relationship with a counselor is essentially empowering

Everything that is said in therapy is confidential and a professional counselor offers unconditional positive regard.

Each counselor has their unique approach to their work. Many use a pragmatic approach, which means that they use their knowledge according to a thorough evaluation of the client life circumstances and client's needs. 

The therapist at EYES WIDE OPEN has retired after 30 yrs in practice.

Mental Health Counselor, Reiki Master and Art Therapist Silvia Casabianca's approach to therapy is integrative, holistic and psychodynamic. She has been trained in psychoanalytic theory, humanism and family systems and believes that one of the goals in therapy is achieving a kind of freedom that comes from heightened awareness. She encourages the patient to safely explore inner experiences (many times through the use of art), to use mindfulness and to "read" somatic "messages,' and considers therapy a continuing process of changing perspective and making choices, which will hopefully continue after counseling has ended. She offers her clients psycho-education, convinced that the more you know about your body and especially your brain, the more you can practice emotional regulation.  With a background as a former medical doctor and having been a psychotherapist since 1992, she has been fascinated by neuroscience and believes in the capacity of the brain to change (neuroplasticity).

Benefits

The benefits of therapy manifest in the person becoming open to experience life at its fullest; being able to trust their own ability to make decisions; accepting themselves for who and what they are, and accepting responsibility for their own behavior. Therapy aims at helping people be productive and loving. But overall, counseling increases self-awarenss and quiets the mind.

When to seek help

Never wait until your feelings disrupt your life.

If you are going through a time in your life when:

• it seems difficult to understand why your relationship has become conflicting,
• your levels of anxiety or anger are mounting up,
• you feel so sad that it is difficult to get up in the morning, 
• you can't pass on an issue that is far away in the past...
• you don't seem to be able to communicate effectively with your loved ones...

you need to examine what's going on in your life.

Maybe you lost your sense of purpose, you lost a dear one and never had time to mourn, you  ended a relationship or have been diagnosed with a chronic and limiting condition. In all of these cases a counselor can provide valuable and life-changing assistance.

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Psychotherapy Specialties

• Individual counseling
  • ​Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Traumatic experiences including domestic violence
  • Grief and loss
  • Relational issues
  • Personal growth
  • Stress management
• Couples counseling
• Family counseling

Professional counselors encourage your personal growth and development in ways that foster your interest for life and lead to well being.

Don't hesitate to seek help when you need it. Counseling  could provide you with relief and help to transform your life:

Click here to watch the video of the interview with Eileen Bobrow about Family Therapy