Asking for help is a sign of strength.

If you are looking for help and healing from sexual abuse, other forms of trauma, anxiety, or depression, you are in a safe and healthy place. Admitting you can’t do everything on your own is the first step toward healing and growth. The next step is to ask for help.

When I was a child, I experienced trauma. Maybe you are like me and you learned many negative beliefs about

yourself like: "I'm not important."

"I can't speak up for myself."

"I'm not good enough."

Have you learned to live in shame and unforgiveness?

"If anybody knew what I did, they would not want to have anything to do with me."

"I can't forgive myself."

"I'm so ashamed of what she/he made me do. I'm so nasty."

Do you help others at your own expense?

"I have to do what everybody wants me to do. What I want doesn't matter."

"If I say 'no,' he'll get mad."

"I try to never burden others with my problems."

Do you struggle with forgiving yourself?

"I made poor decisions that have affected my life and my family. I can never forgive myself."

"I am so ashamed of what I did."

Do you struggle with

distressing memories about something that happened long ago . . . or last month?

angry outbursts with (seemingly) little or no reason?

If you experience these thoughts, please call me

so that we can determine if I can assist you with your counseling needs.

“Mistakes are lessons in disguise."

Rhonda Miller, LPC

Education & Credentials

• License State GA

• License # LPC005394

• Practicing Since 2010

• Education Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky in Lexington

• BSed from the University of Georgia in Athens

**I am a trained EMDR Therapist. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

The First Appointment

It's normal and natural to feel nervous before you first appointment.

The first thing that we will do is review and sign important documents. One important document that needs to be read and signed is called The Informed Consent. This is a contract agreement between you and I about my policies and guidelines. This establishes the professional guidelines of our counseling partnership.

You will also read and sign authorizations. When you sign these authorizations, you give me permission to interact with your insurance company/EAP and to call someone if you need medical care.

The last part of the first appointment is the Initial Intake Interview. You will answer questions about your personal, family, medical, and mental health history. During the intake interview and for the next few sessions, we will discuss your answers so that I can effectively assist you in meeting your therapy goals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long will I be in therapy?

It depends. Some people come to therapy with a specific problem and may need one to three sessions. Other people come to therapy with more complicated issues and may need a few months or more to understand and resolve their issues. Together, you and I will routinely assess your progress and needs to determine how much time is necessary for you.

How can you help me?

One of the most powerful counseling strategies that I know is EMDR. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is often used with people who have experienced trauma; however, it is is used with other issues as well. Many of my clients have experienced powerfully, positive results from EMDR. How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue. EMDR therapy does allow a person to identify emotions, thoughts and distress; however, it allows the brain to process thoughts and heal by way of eye movements. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. This therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro, a psychologist and educator. Please go to emdria.org for more detailed information. Watch a demonstration by two mental health clinicians on YouTube. Go to https://youtu.be/M2ra8p4MSOk

Another powerful counseling strategy that I use is REBT or Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Simply put, REBT helps people to identify unhealthy beliefs and learn to change them to positive, health beliefs. This is important because our thoughts determine our feelings and how we behave.

I do not provide emergency or crisis counseling services. If you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else please call

1-800-985-5990 (TTY: 1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to reach a trained crisis counselor.