Blog

Taking Care of You…New Self Care Series Launched

The Counseling House is happy to announce a new series of self-care workshops that will focus on helping individuals cope with the stresses of daily life.  Because life becomes so busy, it’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos of each and every day.  Presented by Susie Molek, MSCP, LPC, or first workshop, in partnership with “Off the Wall Arts” in Charleroi, PA, will focus on creating a self-care that you can implement immediately into your daily routine.  For more information or to sign up, please call us today!  Self Care Workshop Flyer

Who Are You? Rediscover Yourself at This Unique Self Exploration Workshop

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Wife…mom…employee…caregiver…daughter…employee…volunteer

The roles we play in our lives do not necessarily define who we truly are on the inside. What brings you joy? What makes you feel alive? What gifts do you have within yourself to share with the world? I’ll bet you haven’t visited that place inside of you that can answer these questions in a very long time.

Curious? Join us for an evening of fellowship and self exploration where we will guide you through the completion of your own “I AM” reflection board. In partnership with “Off the Wall Arts” in Charleroi, PA, we invite you to jump off your hamster wheel and join us for a night of introspection dedicated just for you.

 

When: Monday, March 28th 2016
Where: Off the Wall Arts, Charleroi, PA
Time: 5:30 – 8 pm
Cost: $45
Details: All art materials, paint and canvas provided. Please bring your own refreshments to share. Networking begins at 5:30 and program begins at 6 pm sharp.

To register, please contact Jennifer Melnick Carota, Director of the Counseling House at 412-559-1754. Payment in advance is required to reserve your seat.

Coping with Holiday Stress

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With Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year fast approaching, it’s common to feel overwhelmed. Here are some tips from our owner and therapist, Jennifer Carota on surviving and thriving during the busy holiday season!

  • Keep it simple. Create a plan for holiday shopping, entertaining, and socializing well in advance. If your plan feels stressful to you, cut back on something. Focus on what’s most important to you and your immediate family. Don’t spread yourself too thin!
  • Set a budget and stick to it. Decide well in advance how much you will spend on gifts, entertainment, food and beverages. Once you know your budget, bargain shop for the best deals to get more bang for your buck.
  •  Low on cash? Low on time? Create memories with friends and family members from afar throughout the year. No one said that you can’t celebrate the season all year long.
  • Grieving a loss? It’s OK to postpone the holiday to make room for your grief. Do what feels right for you. Create a new tradition or allow yourself the time reflect on your loss. Take good care of yourself and your needs during this difficult time.
  • Be mindful of your blessings and extend your generosity in time, money, or attention to a cause that is meaning for you. Don’t forget the reason for the season.

Wishing you all happy, healthy and blessed holiday season!

 

Jennifer Melnick Carota, MS, LPC, NCC

Owner, Director, Therapist

The Counseling House

611 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon, PA  15012

724-929-3435

Helpful Links

Mental Health Links

The following links are listed to provide you with additional online mental health care information and counseling resources.

Addiction and Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous
Center for On-Line Addiction
SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse/Addiction
SAMHSA’s Treatment and Recovery
Web of Addictions

Anxiety Disorders

Answers to Your Questions About Panic Disorder
National Center for PTSD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Mayo Clinic
Calm Clinic

Associations & Institutes

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
American Counseling Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
Association for Psychological Science
Canadian Mental Health Association
Center for Mental Health Services
National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health America
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, NIMH
Born to Explore: The Other Side of ADD/ADHD

Child Abuse and Domestic Violence

Childhelp USA®
SAMHSA’s Children and Families
SAMHSA’s Protection and Advocacy
Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse
The National Domestic Violence Hotline Website

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Depression

Bipolar Disorder News – Pendulum.org
Depression and How Therapy Can Help
Depression Screening
Depression Test, Symptoms of Depression, Signs of Depression

Developmental Disorders

Asperger’s Disorder
NeuroWeb
Yale Autism Program

Diagnosis

DSM-IV-TR: Diagnoses and Criteria

Dissociation and Traumatic Stress

Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute

Eating Disorders

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Something Fishy

Journals & Magazines

ADHD Report
Anxiety, Stress and Coping
Autism
Childhood
Contemporary Hypnosis
Dementia
Depression and Anxiety
Drug and Alcohol Review
Dyslexia
Early Child Development and Care
Eating Disorders
Educational Assessment
Journal of Gambling Studies
Journal of Happiness Studies
Journal of Mental Health and Aging
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Language and Cognitive Processes
Loss, Grief & Care
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Metaphor and Symbol
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Parenting
Personal Relationships
Personality and Individual Differences
Psychiatric Bulletin
Psychology of Men & Masculinity
Psychology Today
Stress and Health
Studies in Gender and Sexuality
Substance Abuse
Trauma, Violence & Abuse

Medications and Health Supplements

Drug Interactions, Drugs.com
Drug Interactions, DIRECT
Medical Dictionary
Medications, FDA
Medication, Internet Mental Health
Medications, PDR
Medline, Comparison
Multivitamins

Mental Health Care General Links

CounsellingResource.com
Internet Mental Health
Let’s Talk Facts, APA
Mental Health Counselor Resources, About.com
Mental Help Net
PsychCentral.com
University of Michigan Health Library
Web Sites You Can Trust, Medical Library Association

Personality Disorders

Mental Help Net – Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders – Focus Adolescent Counselor Services

Suicide Awareness and Hotlines

SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Suicide: Read This First

Additional Mental Health Care & Counseling Resources

Disaster/Trauma
HIV/AIDS
Interpretation of Dreams
Keirsey (Myers-Briggs) Temperament Sorter
Signs of Menopause, Symptoms of Menopause

Note: Not responsible for the content, claims or representations of the listed sites.

Why Choose the Counseling House?

Choosing a mental health treatment provider can be a confusing an cumbersome process.  While working as the Director of the Westmoreland Family Partnership many years ago, we found that a family had to make an average of ten phone calls before getting to the person or program that could help them get the services that they needed.  Ten calls.

When you call the Counseling House, we make it our mission to help you to get an appointment as soon as possible. If we are not able to help you, we will refer you to someone who can.  The red tape should never be an issue when dealing with the Couseling House.  We try and make your decision to seek counseling as easy and painless as possible.  You don’t have to navigate the maze of mental health services for your child or family alone.

We understand that we can not work with everyone who calls, but we pride ourselves on having a reputable referral listing that you can have confidence in.  Feel free to call us any time with questions or to schedule your first appointment.  No matter what, we will call you back.

We looking forward to helping you and family get the help that you may need.  Thank you for considering the Counseling House for your mental wellness needs.  Our collaborative mental health counselors are looking forward to working with you.

Jennifer Melnick Carota, MS, LPC, NCC
Owner, The Counseling House

609A Broad Avenue
Belle Vernon, PA  15012
Serving families throughout Southwestern PA
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