Office closed temporarily

I have closed my office for a while, so that I can finish a Master's degree in Library Science. When that is completed, I plan to resume my counseling practice and focus on working with war veterans. In the meantime, you can reach me at nancykbrownlpc@gmail.com.

Holiday Free Session Voucher

FREE SESSION*

NANCY K BROWN, MHDL, LPC

Schedule from November 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008

Many people have trouble with the holidays.

Here's a chance for some extra support.

Give me a call at (828) 228-9649.

Or send me an email.

We will set up an appointment.

I look forward to meeting you!

PRINT THIS VOUCHER

BRING TO OUR SESSION

*subject to availability

& ethical considerations

Holiday Cheer or Holiday Blues?

I hope that you are taking good care of yourself during the holidays. I am recovering from carpal tunnel surgery, so I will make this a short post.

Please take advantage of my free session offer until January 1, 2007. This is for new clients and is for one initial session. I look forward to meeting you!

Many people have a tough time during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. You are not alone in this! It is a good time to benefit from some extra support.

Survival Strategies for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Gay and lesbian couples are experiencing more than ever the possibility of affirmation of their relationships. Nevertheless, much controversy and opposition remain in society as a whole.

These attitudes have an impact on our most intimate moments at times. It is important to remember that while any committed relationship or marriage can be challenging, ours are doubly so. Be gentle with yourselves, especially when you are having conflict.

Email me for the brochure,

"Survival Strategies for Gay and Lesbian Couples."

I look forward to hearing from you!

5 Ways to Cope with the Holidays

1. Lower your expectations! Other people aren't having greeting-card perfect holidays, either.

2. Everyone's family has some dysfunction. It will probably come out during the holidays. Accept the ones you love, and try to avoid the others!

3. Holidays are a trap of too much food and drink. Sample the best and hang on to your regimen of exercise and sleep as much as possible.

4. Ride with the tide of holiday generosity. Donate, volunteer, and worship.

5. If all else fails, think of the holiday as "just another day." In 24 hours, it will all be over!

Free Session Voucher

FREE SESSION*

NANCY K BROWN, MHDL, LPC

Schedule from November 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006

Many people have trouble with the holidays.

Here's a chance for some extra support.

Give me a call at (828) 896-7404.

Or send me an email.

We will set up an appointment.

I look forward to meeting you!

PRINT THIS VOUCHER

BRING TO OUR SESSION

*subject to availability

& ethical considerations

Hurricane Katrina

My heart goes out to those poor people in the ravaged areas of New Orleans and Mississippi, and others affected by Katrina. I am going to volunteer as a counselor via the American Counseling Association/Red Cross partnership. I will probably go in late October, since I must work around the schedule at my job. These people will need help and support for months.

When we can help a person process their trauma soon after it happens, most are more able to carry on and move forward. Otherwise, PTSD can set in over time. This can mean living with nightmares, hypervigilance, anxiety, and other symptoms.

I look forward to meeting these fellow citizens and hearing their stories. It is an opportunity for service and growth, and I welcome it. In the meantime, they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Why go for counseling?

Everyone can be helped by counseling at some point, or many points, in her life. Usually we first go when there is a crisis, and we are just totally overwhelmed. I went after my brother died, and my employer suggested a local grief counseling agency. That was very kind of him, and it helped me get through a time when I was in emotional shock.

Therapy can be expensive. My practice offers sliding scale fees based on income. Some people are blessed to have insurance that will pay. For others, the thought of a fee for counseling is daunting. Any counselor is ethically obligated to help you find an affordable option, even if that means going to another agency.

Please don't be afraid to reach out because of financial challenges. Our mental and emotional health is just as important as our physical health. In fact, they are all interconnected.

Prepare to Host

One of my teachers in ministry training said that a counselor should be a "hospitable host." This week I continued to prepare my practice for clients by purchasing insurance and by buying an ad.

Last week, I hung some pictures in the office, including some painted by my son, Jeffrey. One of them is a print of his hands that he did at age five, the year he died.

Jeffrey's art will help me to keep perspective as I listen and talk with people. He will help me spiritually as well, because the lessons from his life keep coming to benefit me and others.

Reopening office

I have just reopened my private practice in Hickory. I'm very excited about the work I am doing there. Moving my furniture, books, and pictures in have been fun, and today I got my new business card. I am enjoying anticipating the people I will get to know.