Over the years of working with MCS I have developed an approach that I have found to be useful for my clients. In my experience, I have often heard from my clients that they want to "feel normal" again. As I struggled to define what this term meant, I decided to combine a couple approaches. I combine short-term and long-term therapy so my clients can feel some immediate relief and hope along with building self-awareness. The short-term relief comes from developing or introducing coping skills and educating my clients. Some examples of coping skills are deep breathing exercises, journaling, counting back from 100 in 3's, and visualizations. I also educate my clients about the science behind human behavior. For example, did you know that when you feel sadness that your metabolism drops therefore allowing the potential for your body to gain a significant amount of weight if you continue to feel the sadness for long periods of time?

The long-term approach allows for lasting results. Here, I examine past behaviors and patterns. I am attempting to find out "why" my clients tend to: repeat the same mistakes, avoid conflict, over-eat, avoid friendships, avoid intimacy, get angry easily, or date the same people. The list can go on when it comes to defining unhealthy habits or behaviors we have developed. It is called a long-term approach because it will take time to explore and discover how these patterns became a part of our lives.

I find this approach helpful for my clients who are looking for a sense of relief along with lasting changes. I delicately go back and forth between the approaches until my clients feel comfortable about who they are as a person and begin to live life in a happier, more peaceful, "normal" state of mind.

Although I find my style to be helpful for my clients, I do not require my clients to follow it if it makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I encourage my clients to provide me with feedback to ensure that their needs are addressed in therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and families.

by
Laura Laliberte-Bodner, MA, LAPC

NPR Interview
Our own Clinical Director, Kathy Steele was interviewed on Science Friday on National Public Radio on Friday, November 13th, 2009! The topic was:
"Two Personalities, One Brain? - In this segment, we'll talk about the condition "dissociative identity disorder," also known as "multiple personality disorder." Can one brain truly house multiple, unconnected personalities?"
Kathy did an excellent job! Click on the NPR logo to download the podcast.

JobShop Interview
Executive Director, Kathie Thodeson, talked to Fox 5 Atlanta reporter and MCS Caring Award recipient, Beth Galvin about how to stay positive in this bleak job market on Fox 5 Atlanta's regular segment, JobShop. She represented MCS well!

Impact of Flood Inteview
MCS Clinical Supervisor, Steve Harris, LCSW talked to Fox 5 Atlanta reporter, Beth Galvin, about the potential impact of more rain on victims of the recent floods.

MCS website redesigned!
Thanks to Lucas Smith of VolanStudio for graciously donating his time to give MCS a fresh look. MCS remains committed to listening, caring, and helping and we invite you to take a new look at us!

Grief: It's Complicated
A loss that goes unattended and unacknowledged can go underground, building layers of confusion and sadness around our hearts. Click below for more about grief and loss including tips on how to navigate the road to recovery. Written by MCS resident therapist, Kim Taff, EdS, LAPC.

Metropolitan Counseling Services (MCS) is a nonprofit center providing quality, affordable counseling and psychotherapy to adults in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.

Over the past 15 years, MCS has provided hope and health for people suffering from a wide variety of mental health concerns, including the pain of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, problems in relationships, and unresolved issues from childhood abuse and trauma. organizations helped connect people in the community with needed services.

Our resident therapists offer individual, couples, and group psychotherapy on a sliding fee scale based on household income and number of dependents. Fees start as low as $25 per session.

Here's an insider's view of what's been going on at MCS lately:

• We are delighted to welcome new residents Catharine Wirth, LMSW, MA and Nineshia Mont-Reynaud, MS, LAPC to MCS.
• Congratulations to Tanya Digiovanni-Goldbach, MA, LPC and Jackie Fraasa, MA, LPC for completing their residency at MCS and gaining licensure!
• Congratulations to Deborah Herberger, MS, LAPC for becoming licensed as an Associate Professional Counselor!

MCS would also like to welcome 5 new board members!

• Anna Appleman
• Allison Dawson
• Monica Long
• Kenton Phillips
• Alison Reed