Services

During individual therapy, we can address a wide range of concerns – from anxiety and depression to stress management, trauma recovery, self-esteem, life transitions, anger issues, and much more. Being in one-on-one therapy can lead to many benefits: you may find that you improve your communication skills, feel more empowered and in control of your life, learn to make healthier choices, and develop personalized strategies to manage distress. Your therapist’s role is to support and guide you, but you set the pace. Whether you need short-term support through a tough situation or longer-term therapy for ongoing personal growth, individual counseling offers a confidential, supportive partnership to help you feel better and move forward.

What to expect: Typically, individual sessions last about 50 minutes and are held once a week (though scheduling is flexible based on your needs). In your first session, your therapist will get to know you – discussing what brings you to therapy, any background information you’re comfortable sharing, and what you hope to achieve. Together, you’ll collaborate on a plan for therapy. Over time, as trust builds, you’ll delve into the heart of the issues and work on practical solutions or new ways of understanding yourself. Everything you share is confidential, and you set the boundaries for what you want to talk about. We’re here to listen, to offer insights and techniques, and to help you discover a path to a healthier mind. You don’t have to go through it alone – individual therapy means you have a caring expert on your side.

Our group therapy sessions cover various topics and needs. Some groups are focused on specific issues (for example, a Stress & Anxiety Management Group or a Depression Support Group), while others might be skill-building groups (like learning coping skills or improving self-esteem), or open-process groups where members discuss whatever is on their mind in a safe, facilitated setting. Led by a trained therapist, the group provides structure and safety – we establish ground rules like confidentiality and respect so that everyone feels secure sharing. Over time, group members often form strong bonds and help each other by offering feedback and encouragement. You can gain new insights into your own situation by hearing others’ stories (sometimes someone else might articulate a feeling you’ve had but struggled to put into words), and you may discover new coping strategies by learning what has helped others.

Group therapy can also be a great adjunct to individual therapy, or a stand-alone treatment. Research has shown that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy for many conditions, and in some cases even more beneficial due to the added peer support. Common benefits include building social connections, improving communication skills in a real-world social context, and boosting confidence as you practice new behaviors in a supportive environment. Many people find hope and inspiration by witnessing the progress of others in the group, and by realizing they have something to contribute to others’ healing as well.

If you’re nervous about joining a group, that’s completely normal. Our facilitators understand this, and group members are usually welcoming and empathetic (they were newcomers once too!). You can start at your own pace – even just listening at first is okay. As trust grows, most people find they feel safe to share and are glad they took the leap. In a world where we often feel alone in our problems, group therapy reminds us that we’re all in this together.

Our therapists who work with children and adolescents have specialized training and a warm, friendly approach that helps put young clients at ease. Therapy for children often looks different than therapy for adults. For younger kids, we incorporate play, art, and other creative activities to help them communicate and process feelings in a natural, fun way. Play therapy might involve using toys, games, or drawings – children often express through play what they can’t yet say in words. For adolescents and older children, therapy might feel more like a conversation or involve activities that resonate with them (such as writing, music, or interactive exercises). Teens may benefit from approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy or solution-focused therapy, adapted to be relevant and engaging for their age.

Common issues we address in child/adolescent therapy include anxiety (worries, fears), depression or mood swings, behavioral problems (such as aggression or defiance), attention and hyperactivity issues (ADHD), school-related problems like bullying or academic stress, peer relationship difficulties, grief or loss, trauma or abuse, and adjustment to family changes (like divorce or a new sibling). We also help with building social skills, improving self-esteem, and teaching kids how to manage big feelings in healthy ways. Early intervention can make a huge difference in a child’s life – by addressing problems now, we can help prevent more serious issues later on. Therapy gives children tools to function better at home, in school, and in their communitycdc.gov, and it helps them build resilience that will benefit them throughout their development.

Parental involvement: We consider parents and caregivers a crucial part of a child’s therapy process. For younger children, our therapists will often work directly with parents (either through joint sessions or separate parent guidance sessions) to equip you with strategies to support your child. For teens, confidentiality is important for building trust, but we still encourage open communication and will guide the family on how to best support the teen’s progress. You will never be left out of the loop – our therapist will maintain open communication (while respecting appropriate confidentiality for the adolescent) so that therapy is a team effort involving the family.

At Beyond Borders, we love working with children and teens because we know how much growth, healing, and positive change is possible at these ages. Seeing a young person overcome challenges – whether it’s a child learning to conquer their fears or a teenager discovering their self-worth – is incredibly rewarding. If your child or teen is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help young minds grow, heal, and shine.

Families often seek therapy when they’re facing challenges that affect the household. This could be constant fighting or tension at home, difficulties between parents and children, issues between siblings, coping with a major change or crisis (like moving, loss of a loved one, illness, or trauma), or anytime one member’s struggles (for example, a teen’s behavioral issues or a parent’s depression) are impacting everyone’s well-being. You don’t have to be in a traditional nuclear family to benefit – we welcome couples, single-parent households, multigenerational families, and families of all shapes and sizes.

In family therapy sessions, we create a safe space for each family member to express their feelings and perspectives. The therapist will help guide the conversation so it stays productive and respectful, even when discussing tough topics. We might explore family roles, communication patterns, and any underlying issues that are driving conflict. Often, families fall into unhealthy patterns without realizing it – maybe there’s a cycle of blame, or certain members feel unheard. Our therapist helps break these patterns by teaching new communication skills (like how to really listen and speak without attacking), and by highlighting strengths the family can build on.

One key aspect of family therapy is finding solutions together. Instead of the therapist “fixing” one person, we work on changing the interactions and environment that everyone shares. For example, if a child is acting out, we might help the parents learn new behavior management techniques while also helping the child express what they’re feeling. If a couple is arguing frequently, we might work on conflict resolution and understanding each other’s needs better. The idea is that when one person in the family changes in a positive way, it influences the whole family system. Likewise, when the family learns to support that person differently, everyone can start to feel better.

Family therapy can bring many benefits: better communication (so everyone feels heard and understood), reduced stress and conflict at home, greater empathy and understanding among family members, and a unified approach to solving problems. It’s especially useful when a family is dealing with a significant issue such as a mental health condition, addiction, or major life transition – the therapist can help the family support the member who is struggling, while also addressing how the issue affects the family unit as a whole. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, family-based interventions can effectively address emotional and behavioral problems within the context of the family system.

At Beyond Borders, we view family as one of the most important sources of strength and support a person can have. Our goal in family therapy is to help your family become a stronger, closer team. You’ll learn to navigate challenges in a healthier way, and to appreciate each other’s perspectives. By the end of treatment, many families report feeling more connected and capable of handling future problems together. If your family has been stuck in negativity or pain, family therapy can be the first step to healing those relationships. We’re here to guide you toward peace at home.

What to expect from our psychiatric services: If you are referred to our psychiatrist (or request a medication evaluation), the psychiatrist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, history, and overall health. This may involve discussing your current challenges, any past treatment or medications, and possibly some questions about your medical background (since physical health can impact mental health). The psychiatrist might diagnose a specific condition (like depression, anxiety disorder, ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc., if you haven’t been diagnosed already) and will talk with you about whether medication might help in your situation.

If you both decide to proceed with medication, the psychiatrist will prescribe a suitable medication and explain how it works, what benefits to expect, and any potential side effects. Keep in mind, medication isn’t a “magic fix,” but it can significantly reduce symptoms for many people, especially in combination with therapy. For example, antidepressants can help adjust brain chemistry to improve mood, anti-anxiety medications can ease intense anxiety or panic, stimulants can aid focus in ADHD, etc. The goal is to find the right medication and dosage that helps you feel better and function better.

Medication Management: Taking medication for mental health is not a one-and-done scenario – it requires ongoing monitoring to ensure it’s effective and remains the best choice for you. Our psychiatrist will schedule regular follow-up appointments (perhaps every few weeks at first, then maybe monthly or as needed) to check in on how you’re doing. In these brief med-management visits, you’ll discuss any changes in symptoms, side effects, or concerns. The doctor can then adjust the dosage, change medications, or continue the plan based on your feedback and progress. Psychiatrists are trained to manage these treatments similarly to how a doctor manages blood pressure meds or diabetes medication – through careful monitoring and adjustment. If you’re on long-term medication, you’ll meet with our psychiatrist periodically to ensure the medication is still the right fit and to make any necessary adjustment.

Our philosophy with medication is “start low and go slow” – meaning we use the lowest effective dose and make changes gradually, so your body can adjust and we minimize side effects. We also strongly believe in the combination of medication and therapy when appropriate. Research shows that combining psychotherapy with medication can be more effective for many people than either treatment alone. While medication can alleviate symptoms, therapy helps you build skills and address the root causes of distress. That’s why at Beyond Borders, our psychiatrist and therapists work hand-in-hand. With your consent (and within confidentiality guidelines), they will communicate about your care to ensure everyone is on the same page. For example, if you start an antidepressant, your therapist can help you track changes in mood or behavior; if your therapist notices something concerning, they can loop in the psychiatrist promptly.

Do I have to take medication? Absolutely not. Medication is one tool in the toolbox. Some clients choose therapy only, some use medication short-term to get through a crisis, and others may stay on a maintenance medication for a longer period. It’s a personal choice and one we will never pressure you into. Our job is to inform you of your options. If you prefer to focus on therapy without medication, that is completely fine and we will respect that. If you are open to medication or curious about it, we’ll ensure you have accurate information and a supportive prescribing doctor to guide you.

In summary, our Psychiatrist & Medication Management service is here to provide comprehensive care for your mental health. Having an on-site (or on-call) psychiatrist means we can address the biological side of mental health (brain chemistry, etc.) in addition to the psychological side. It’s part of our holistic approach to treatment. You can feel confident that our psychiatric provider will take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and work with you to find the best path forward. As always, you are at the center of your care – we’re here to offer our expertise and support as you move beyond the borders of whatever is holding you back.