Share via email
Making the decision to find help is hard enough. That is why my goal in counseling is to create a place where you feel safe enough to tell your story. I am Olena Sowers, LPCC, and while I work with many concerns, I specialize in trauma and PTSD and EMDR.
My approach
Therapy is time set aside specifically for you and what you would like to accomplish. During our sessions, we will converse back and forth and discuss issues that you would like to work on. For example, we might challenge negative thoughts and look at other ways to view issues or situations (this is CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy), or we may process stressful or traumatic events, relationship issues, explore anxiety or depressive symptoms and more. I utilize EMDR for the treatment of trauma and PTSD, as well as psychodynamic, trauma focused, cognitive behavioral (CBT), person-centered, and eclectic approaches. I believe that clients are experts on their own lives and ultimately know what is best for them.
My focus
I have worked with a variety of client concerns, from anxiety, foster care and adoption to addiction, family conflict, anger, and others. I specialize in trauma and PTSD and am trained in EMDR. I have experience working with individuals who survived physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect, assault, first responders, veterans, motor vehicle accident victims, and many more.
My communication style
My aim is to create a safe place for clients to tell their stories. Shame dies when your story is told in a safe place. I like to laugh and have fun with my clients, but we also talk about deep and difficult things. Therapy is a process that requires collaboration between us and is time that is set aside specifically just for you. I am here to walk beside you as you figure out your way to a better life.
My journey to mental healthcare
After going through Adverse Childhood Experiences myself, I was drawn into the mental health field to learn more about people and human behavior. I first completed a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Over time, though, I decided that I wanted to do more and pursued my second Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In 2018, I was trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Processing) for the treatment of trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and have been using it ever since. This treatment protocol and trauma work quickly became my passions in the field.
My goals for you
In your first or second session, I will ask you what you would like to work on in therapy. This will help us create goals together for your treatment. We will review them from time to time to see if we need to make any changes or adjustments.
My first session with you
Our first session is a great opportunity to get to know each other and confirm that we are a good fit. I will get to know you by asking questions about your life, your background, and what brought you to therapy. Feel free to ask any questions you have about me, my approach to therapy, or how I can help you.
