Counseling

 

“For in grief nothing ‘stays put’. One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral?”

~C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

 

 

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Counseling is available at any time for those who wish to have one on one time with a counselor.  In our usual practice, we work with individuals and families who are dealing with chronic illness or disability, and progressive, terminal illnesses, as well as those who have already experienced a death.  We serve a range of therapy needs, from short-term or as-needed support and guidance for those coping well but looking for added perspective in their grief journey, to more frequent sessions with intensive therapy for those dealing with the most profound and traumatic loss experiences.

All our counselors have obtained their Master’s Degree in counseling. They are all licensed or in the process of obtaining licensure through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Our counselors are also specialized in grief counseling and trauma, and work from a perspective that allows each individual the time and space to address their own needs within their particular situation. They have earned or are working towards a Certificate or Fellow (advanced certification) in Thanatology (CT or FT): the study of Death, Dying and Bereavement.

As a non-profit, we are committed to keeping the fees for our services at a reasonable rate. Although we do not bill directly to insurance companies, we are open to working with individuals and families if there is financial hardship.

The following staff members are therapists; Those in parentheses are not currently accepting new clients:

Emily Cauchon, LPC

Tammy Court-Cudd, MA

(Claire Drexler, LCSW  CT)

 Shirley Elrod, LMFT  FT

Hannah Feehery, MA  NCC

(Ashley Herr, LPC  CT)

Steve Keller, LMFT  CT

Brian McCaffrey, MA

(Kendra Stenack, LPC  CT  CH  CCTP)

(Emily Vincent, LPC  FT)

 

Our Intake Coordinator, Clinical Director, and therapists work on varied schedules and usually are able to attend to any clinical questions within 1-2 business days.  Appointments for counseling can usually be made within 1-2 weeks wait time.  Please reach out to local crisis or emergency resources (below) if you require immediate attention or your needs cannot wait.

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While our services are being offered both in-person and through telehealth currently, our service area for counseling and peer support groups primarily includes community residents of Southeastern PA (the Greater Philadelphia area).  Our education and awareness efforts reach well beyond these direct service limits, but we do prioritize our staff commitments based on capacity and need.  If you are out of our area but would like support finding resources in your state/region, we can assist you in finding contacts through our national networks of grief service providers.

CRISIS RESOURCES

Call Local Police Department or *911
Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) 610-279-6100
Montgomery County Access Services Crisis Support  855-634-HOPE (4673)
Bucks County Lenape Valley Foundation Crisis Support  800-499-7455
Chester County Valley Creek Crisis Center Support  610-280-3270
Delaware County Crisis Connections Team   855-889-7827
Philadelphia Mental Health Delegate Line  215-685-6440
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

 

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Guiding Principle:

• Grief can be isolating and challenging to endure even under the best of conditions.
  • An individual’s ability to cope with grief is influenced by many factors, including the circumstances of loss and the quality of available support within oneself and one’s network.
  • Some individuals face added struggles in life or traumatic features of loss that have the potential to complicate and prolong their finding tools of strength.