Counseling Therapy

Taking care of your self requires top priority, especially when life becomes difficult

If you're not sure why this is, please ask while scheduling your free assessment

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Therapy options available include group therapy or individual counseling. A combination of both may most beneficial.

Group Therapy at its finest! Affordable group fees. Free consultation required prior to attendance. Safe and supportive environment.

Struggling with difficult emotions ( frustration/ anger, anxiety, low mood, feeling overwhelmed, self doubt...) due to:; relationship conflicts, employment issues, life transition matters, loss, chronic illness (diabetes, etc), lack of support, or trying to manage a variety of other issues? Consider the following:

Explore healthy coping skills, develop a support system, learn how to do negative, difficult emotions in a more positive way. Receive the support you deserve!

~ Individual Counseling Also Available, if you're not sure a group setting is right for you ~

Ashley Bretting, M.S. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Lic# MFC48978

When you are ready:
(805) 204-7315

Relaxation training is any method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax; to attain a state of increased calmness; or otherwise reduce levels of anxiety, stress or anger. Relaxation techniques are often employed as one element of a wider stress management program and can decrease muscle tension, lower the blood pressure and slow heart and breath rates, among other health benefits.

Therapy, in part, is a process that helps achieve self awareness.

The less aware we are of our motives, feelings, thoughts, actions, perceptions, the more they control us and the more we stay stuck in old patterns that are not working.

Grief and grieving, the inner struggle to make sense of it all - Stages of Grief:

1. Denial - "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."
Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of situations and individuals that will be left behind after death.
2. Anger - "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"
Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. Any individual that symbolizes life or energy is subject to projected resentment and jealousy.
3. Bargaining - "Just let me live to see my children graduate."; "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."
The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the individual is saying, "I understand I will die, but if I could just have more time..."
4. Depression - "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die... What's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?"
During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect oneself from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer up an individual who is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed.
5. Acceptance - "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."
This final stage comes with peace and understanding of the death that is approaching. Generally, the person in the fifth stage will want to be left alone. Additionally, feelings and physical pain may be non-existent. This stage has also been described as the end of the dying struggle.

Kübler-Ross originally applied these stages to people suffering from terminal illness, later to any form of catastrophic personal loss (job, income, freedom). This may also include significant life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, drug addiction, an infertility diagnosis, as well many tragedies and disasters.

Kübler-Ross claimed these steps do not necessarily come in the order noted above, nor are all steps experienced by all patients, though she stated a person will always experience at least two. Often, people will experience several stages in a "roller coaster" effect-switching between two or more stages, returning to one or more several times before working through it.

Significantly, people experiencing the stages should not force the process. The grief process is highly personal and should not be rushed, nor lengthened, on the basis of an individual's imposed time frame or opinion. One should merely be aware that the stages will be worked through and the ultimate stage of "Acceptance" will be reached.

Not every individual who chooses therapeutic support has experienced a traumatic event in their life.

For anyone who has experienced trauma - knows that this can sometimes prove to be a life altering moment in time. The far reaching affects may significantly impact a person and the way they relate to others and/ or the world around them.

Therapy is a safe and healing outlet for these disturbing events. Healing and getting beyond is a real possibility.

One of the components of my typical therapeutic sessions often includes an educational element.

Educating each individual on their own inner thoughts and emotions link - With this information, clients gain insight and often become more open and engaged in the quest for tools to improve own life experiences.