Annalisa Smithson (she/her)

No judgments. No biases. Just a strong support system with open ears. Stigma, in any form, is an impediment to the well-being of those who experience it. Given the stressors that LGBT groups must confront, such as homophobia, prejudice, coming out, and discrimination, finding a therapist who is openly LGBT-friendly or who specializes in LGBT issues is crucial to your personal growth.

When it comes to treating anxiety disorders, research shows that therapy is usually the most effective option. That’s because anxiety therapy – as opposed to anxiety medication – treats more than just symptoms to the problem. Therapy can help to uncover the underlying causes of your worries and fears, learn how to relax, look at situations in a new, less frightening way, and develop better coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills.

More often than not, drug addictions start with experimental use of a drug in social situations. And for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. As time passes, a person may feel the need to use more of a drug to get their desired high, and soon a person may need the drug to simply feel “good.” As addiction counselors, we will address the symptoms of your addiction and the related areas of impaired functioning, and together we’ll structure the time and content of your ongoing recovery.

Everyone needs a safe space, somewhere they don’t have to armor themselves against the world. And sometimes, it can be difficult to create that space on your own. Benji and Annalisa can help you create that space, to give you room to work on yourself. Research has demonstrated that Animal-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for easing depression, soothing anxiety, and improving emotional well-being. It is especially good for people struggling with major stressors in their lives.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is ideal for people hoping to create practical and efficient ways to manage stress and achieve goals. It is an excellent, evidence-based counseling option for people making changes in their career, relationships, communication-style, or simply everyday habits. By exploring the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and actions, we will help you create actionable solutions to the problems you’re facing.

Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, or confusion far after the event occurred.