meganmedinalpc, Author at

Body in Charge: Managing Anxiety

October 7, 2018October 18, 2018meganmedinalpc

Five simple things you can do to manage anxiety.

For people who struggle with anxiety, negative thoughts and emotions can overwhelm the nervous system enough to trigger real, measurable physical symptoms. Sometimes those physical symptoms can feel so extreme, it feels like a real medical emergency is happening. Sometimes those physical symptoms get so bad, some people wind up in the emergency room, only to find out that what their experiencing is an anxiety attack, not the heart attack or stroke they thought they were having.

The uncomfortable physical symptoms we experience from an anxiety attack (rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, fever, shaking, etc) occur because the mind–the thinking and feeling parts of the brain–has been able to override the body– the autonomic nervous system, which regulates automatic functions, like breathing and heart rate– all those things we do without thinking, and need to do in order to stay alive.

When we don’t pay attention to things that are bothering us, when we shove them aside without acknowledging them, or manage them in unhealthy ways, our brains will sometimes throw a temper tantrum to get our attention. That’s a simple explanation for anxiety: having physical symptoms we can’t ignore due to emotional symptoms we are either ignoring or not managing well.

This is good news! Because knowing anxiety is a physical issue means we can manage anxiety with physical interventions. Sure, your problems are real, and your worries about them may be valid, but you can live more comfortably with those problems by changing a few things. Here are five simple things you can do to lessen the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks:

Cut added stimulants and depressants
Breathe more
Move more
Drink more water
Rest more

Sounds too easy? The important thing to remember is that although our minds sometimes take over our other body systems, our bodies can always take back control by fostering a healthy, calm environment for our brains. These five steps will help that happen.

Still skeptical? I’ll write a bit more explaining each step in future posts.

What is counseling like? Part II

August 7, 2018November 8, 2018meganmedinalpc

Counseling can be whatever you need and whatever you feel comfortable with!

Some people choose therapy because they just want a safe place where they can talk confidentially. In those cases, we usually analyze the week’s events or past conflicts and traumas together, and I might suggest better communication or stress management techniques, or have the client come up with their own “how I wish I would’ve handled it.”

Other people seek therapy because they have experienced a recent trauma (accident, hospitalization, natural catastrophe, etc) and they just want to be desensitized to the pain and fear resulting from that trauma. EMDR therapy is often very applicable in those situations and sometimes allows people to reprocess traumatic events more quickly than standard talk therapy.

Other people have more complex, long-term traumas, sometimes due to sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or military involvement, and we sometimes start and stop EMDR treatment to do more basic talk therapy, psychoanalysis, or cognitive-behavioral techniques as deeper emotions come up.

Then, there are others who are dealing with serious mood or anxiety disorders who come to me weekly so we can monitor their ups-and-downs, the side-effects of their medications, and help them identify external triggers and identify the best ways cope with those triggers.

Many people come to my office because they are experiencing the emotional swings of a death, relationship breakup, an affair, or loss of child custody. During these difficult events, having a counselor can help ease the loneliness and isolation that tends to exacerbate these problems, while also giving you the opportunity to learn skills to cope with the problem. You don’t have to suffer alone.

And finally, some people come to counseling because they feel lost and without direction, or constantly at odds or out of rhythm with their family and friends, so we spend a lot of time clarifying their beliefs, values, and goals. In most cases, the clients do most of the talking, while I offer guidance, support, teach techniques, and point out moments when things don’t quite match up or possibly explain a certain behavior.

No matter whom you choose to go to for therapy, always remember: Your therapist has skills, but you know what’s best for you, and your therapist will rely on your feedback to adjust treatment as you progress. It’s a collaborative effort. Counselors have lots of tools and techniques, and are trained to tailor counseling to your needs, so always speak up if something isn’t working or doesn’t feel right.

Call Megan Medina at 432-278-1617 or email MeganMedina1217@gmail.com for more information or to book an appointment.

What is counseling like? Part I

August 7, 2018November 8, 2018meganmedinalpc

Most people are nervous or unsure about pursuing counseling, and because of the private and confidential nature of the counseling process, many people don’t know what to expect. Most of the time, our expectations of counseling comes from movies and TV shows, and those depictions aren’t always accurate.

The process to begin counseling is fairly simple: the first appointment is simply a “getting to know you” session, to make sure we are a good fit for each other and whatever concerns you have. After the first session, if you feel we are a good fit, we can continue meeting either weekly or biweekly, depending on how often you need it and as it fits your lifestyle. Some people are satisfied after six to ten sessions, others prefer to continue seeing me regularly; it just depends on the what you need and want. If you feel we’re not a good fit, or if I feel your concern is outside my scope of knowledge, that’s not a problem: I have a network of colleagues to whom I can refer you, and I just want what’s best for you.

Counselors provide you with objective, confidential, and nonjudgmental support. Family and friends are wonderful and necessary, but sometimes they can only tell you what they think is best for you. That’s why so many people don’t always feel completely supported when they share their problems with the people they love. A counselor is only interested in helping you find out what’s best for you.

The most important and amazing thing about the therapeutic process: being in an atmosphere where you are free from judgment and allowed to say things out loud and be totally honest with yourself, which increases self-awareness and holds you accountable to yourself. It’s easy to brush aside thoughts and promises when they stay in your head, but when you say them out loud, to a confidential witness, you are more likely to follow through on what’s best for you. You’ll also be more likely catch yourself in any self-deceptions, self-destructive behaviors, and illogical beliefs (that you possibly established when you were very young).

Call 432-278-1617 or email MeganMedina1217@gmail.com if you are interested in booking an appointment with me.

Why take a chance on an LPC-Intern?

June 5, 2018June 5, 2018meganmedinalpc

A lot of people are reluctant to begin therapy with an LPC-Intern because they don’t quite know what an LPC-Intern is. An LPC-Intern is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has completed all educational requirements and passed all licensing exams, but has yet to complete the required 3000 practicum hours under the supervision of an LPC-Supervisor in no less than 18 months before they can be fully certified. (That’s 75 weeks on a full-time work schedule and this is in addition to the 500-1000 practicum hours they already completed for their master’s degree!)

In other words, an LPC-Intern is a fully qualified counselor who is in the early stages of their career, but they are by no means a novice! It makes sense that an LPC-Intern might give you pause, but it doesn’t mean they are uneducated or unseasoned, and there are some valid reasons why some clients might prefer seeing an LPC-Intern.

LPC-Interns tend to offer more flexible appointment times. Because most LPC-Interns are just building their practices and often still depend on another full-time job, they are usually more willing to meet with clients on weekends, early mornings, evenings, and even during lunch.
You’re getting two counselors for the price of one. Every LPC-Intern is supervised by a more senior LPC-Supervisor who maintains the LPC-Intern’s records, reviews cases, and provides consultation to the LPC-Intern. The LPC-Intern can turn to that supervisor for advice, guidance, or concerns about their clients, which means clients are often getting the input of two therapists at the same time.
LPC-Interns tend to charge lower rates. Because they are just starting their careers, or simply don’t feel justified charging the same rates as more veteran LPCs, LPC-Interns tend to charge lower rates than other LPCs in their area. Most LPC-Interns don’t have to deal with the burden of overhead costs such as office space and marketing (since they often share the office space of their supervisor), and many still depend on their full-time salaried job and don’t feel the need to charge higher rates. And once fully licensed, most LPC-Interns feel ethically-bound to maintain those lower rates for their current clientele.
LPC-Interns tend to be more up-to-date on recent research and promising techniques. Because most LPC-Interns have recently completed their final courses for their master’s degree and/or licensing hours, and passed the state licensing exams, they tend to have more up-to-date knowledge and recent access to latest research. They are also more likely to still be in touch and consult with the PhDs and professors in their field of study.
LPC-Interns often have more experience than you think. Many LPC-Interns come to private practice from similar careers (school counseling, social work, religious and spiritual counseling, crisis work, mediation, mentoring, etc.), and are well-practiced at working with clients in a similar capacity (and often in less controlled environments). In fact, some LPC-Interns might have completed their education courses long ago, but simply never got around to completing the licensing requirements because they were already satisfied practicing their passion in less traditional environments. For whatever reason, most LPC-Interns come to agencies and private practices via a long and fruitful journey in other helping fields.

You will be in good hands!

Why counseling?

February 18, 2018November 8, 2018meganmedinalpc

Many clients come to counseling feeling overwhelmed or dissatisfied, and feel that their usual support systems are insufficient. Sometimes the problem isn’t clear: they just don’t feel like themselves, their usual coping methods are no longer working, or they just crave change. Sometimes it helps to get another perspective.

Most people know when it’s time to seek help. The first (and hardest) step is talking about it; without shame or fear of judgment. For teens and adults who are experiencing loss, trauma, stress, mood and anxiety disorders, and life transitions, Megan Medina can provide a warm, positive, and down-to-earth approach.

For more information on modalities and rates, click here.

For more information about our location, click here.

For more information, please call 432-278-1617
or email meganmedina1217@gmail.com