Therapy Leaves

I am so glad you found Therapy Leaves Telehealth Counseling, where support is only a click away.

My name is Sylvia Bowen and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the following States:

• Colorado
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Michigan
• New Mexico
• Ohio

I am here to support you, encourage you and validate your experience. I will provide guidance and ask questions that will spark a different way of thinking about your situation. And finally, together we will work on solutions.

If this is your first step toward engaging in counseling, I am so proud of you for thinking about how to improve your life!

There are many benefits of counseling, such as:

• improved interpersonal skills
• increased self-acceptance and self-worth
• better understanding and management of emotions
• relief from depression and anxiety
• increased confidence and decision-making skills
• improved stress management
• improved problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.

For the past 15 years of providing counseling, I have been privileged to serve patients in different settings. I have worked with children and families in outpatient and residential settings for five years. In the past seven years I have worked primarily with adults in an outpatient mental health setting. It has been a great privilege and honor to specifically work with Veterans since 2014. The most common diagnosis in patients that I have counseled have been diagnosed with Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Schizophrenia, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

A diagnosis is useful in providing an understanding of underlying symptoms and is terminology that medical and mental health providers can mutually understand and use. However, I strongly believe that a person is not their diagnosis. You are unique. You are important. Your quality of life is important. Your relationships are important. Your past, present and future are important. This is what we will be focusing on in session: You. My modus operandi is “What is important to you is important to me.”

If you have served in any capacity in the United States Military, with a grateful heart I say “THANK YOU!”.

If you are a Veteran that has served after 9/11 there are resources that will pay for 12 counseling sessions. Please communicate this with me and I will lead you through the process.

It has been a tremendous honor to work with Veterans at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinics in New Mexico. I was privileged to work with male and female Veterans of various ages and ethnic backgrounds.

If you are a Veteran and have been discharged recently you may benefit from readjustment counseling in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life.  Some topics covered in counseling can be:

• daily challenges of interacting with civilians (at work or in the community)
• family life
• bereavement counseling
• military sexual trauma
• substance abuse
• depression
• anxiety
• PTSD

You may be a Veteran who has been Stateside for a while and some concerns or memories may have come up recently. You may have decided that you would like to see improvements in your daily functioning, mood or relationships. We can successfully address all of these.

A brief overview of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Many Veterans that I have had the privilege of working with were experiencing symptoms of PTSD however did not know what was causing the symptoms or that they met the criteria for PTSD.

The website for Post Traumatic Growth – Response & Resources lists four types of symptoms that are most common in PTSD (http://ptgrr.com/ptsd-a-simple-explanation/trauma/ptsd-a-simple-explanation):

“1.    Re-living the event

Memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. For example:
•    You may have nightmares
•    You may feel like you are going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
You may see hear or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called trigger. News reports seeing an accident, or hearing a car backfire are examples of triggers.

2.    Avoiding the situations that remind you of the event

You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. For example:
•    You may avoid crowds
•    You may avoid driving if you are in a car accident or if your military convoy was bombed
•    If you were in an earthquake, you may avoid watching movies about earthquakes
•    You may keep very busy or avoid seeking help because it keeps you from having to think or talk about the event.

3.    Negative changes in beliefs and feelings

The way you think about yourself and others changes because of the trauma. This symptom has many aspects, including the following:
•    You may not have positive or loving feelings towards other people and may stay away from relationships
•    You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them
•    You may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted.

4.    Feeling keyed up (also called hyper-arousal)

•    You may have difficulty sleeping
•    You may have trouble concentrating
•    You may be startled by a loud noise or surprise
•    You might want to have your back to a wall in a restaurant or waiting room.

IS PTSD AN EVENT IN ITSELF?
PTSD is not an event in itself. PTSD symptoms usually start soon after a traumatic event, but for some people, they may not happen until months or years after the trauma. Symptoms may come and go over many years. So, you should keep track of your symptoms and talk to someone you trust about them.”

For those whose Christian faith is a part of their daily living and belief system, I am happy to incorporate principles of Bible based counseling.

The inspiration for the name of my virtual counseling office Therapy Leaves is found in Revelation 22:1-5:

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Hallelujah! I cannot wait for that day!

Eternal healing will occur in the new Jerusalem. I look forward to all of the tears being wiped away forever. I am happy that Jesus wants us to experience healing here on earth as well. I believe that God gave us each other to share the trials of life and to pray for one another. I believe that He wants us to be a blessing and a source of comfort, encouragement and hope. Healing with Jesus by our side brings us joy and fulfillment. All the glory goes to Him.

The length of sessions that I offer, along with their prices are:

0- 55 minute session: $90

Couples 55 minute session: $120

There are options for those that would like to utilize their health insurance plan – please communicate this with me should you like more information about this option.

If you are a Veteran that has served after 9/11 there are resources that will pay for 12 counseling sessions. Please communicate this with me and I will lead you through the process.

To learn more about Telehealth with secure video and the platform that I use, click here.

Please keep in mind that I can serve clients that live in the States that I am licensed in:

• Colorado
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Michigan
• New Mexico
• Ohio