We believe in a personalized approach to therapy.

We are proud to offer a wide range of services to help clients from age twelve through late adult life. Our services range from traditional individual counseling to more complex issues such as Cognitive Processing and Existential Psychotherapy. Your therapist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan specific to your counseling needs and work with you to achieve your unique goals. Here is a short list of some of the services our professional trained counselors offer. Please feel free to call or email us should you have any questions.

Individual care specific to your needs

From children to adults we believe in individualized care at an affordable rate for all age groups. Each member of our professionally trained treatment team is uniquely qualified to meet you where you are. Your counselor will work with you to find a treatment plan specific to you and your goals. Our staff is prepared to work with you, your insurance plan and your budget to maximize your quality of care. Covering a wide range of struggles from mild anxiety to personality disorders our counselors are dedicated to bringing you the best treatment possible.

Marital counseling, enrichment and relational development

Communication difficulties and conflict resolution struggles can erode even the strongest relationships. Couples therapy focuses on rebuilding the foundations of a healthy relationship by developing strong communication skills while enhancing the intimacy in the relationship. Our counselors are well qualified in a wide array of therapeutic techniques and evidence based therapies to both repair and enhances your relationship. Whether you are struggling with affair recovery, a looming divorce, mental issues or substance abuse in the relationship, undue stress or just looking for new skills to help enrich your lives our counselors will work with you to develop a unique treatment plan to revitalize and enrich your relationship.

Pre-Marital Counseling

The season of engagement parties, wedding showers, and planning a wedding can be so much fun. It takes a lot of time and energy to make sure that day will be just like you dreamed. But are you and your fiancé taking the time to focus on the things that will shape your relationship in the future? Pre-Marital Counseling lasts anywhere from 6-8 weeks and helps couples build a foundation in their relationship that will make the difficult parts of marriage easier. Where marriage classes or conferences are a helpful supplements, pre-marital counseling will be tailored specifically to you as a couple. Are you concerned about finances? In-laws? How your past will impact your relationship? We will spend more time talking about the issues that are most important to you. You will learn about yourselves as a couple, be made aware of unhealthy habits that easily form if you’re not careful, and discuss topics that may not have naturally come up in your dating relationship. Come ready to discuss communication styles, conflict resolution, marriage expectations and more. Once the wedding day comes you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re walking into and you will have also built a relationship with a counselor you can reach back out to if you and your spouse encounter something difficult in the future.

Marital Enrichment

Do you and your partner feel more like roommates than lovers? Has your intimacy waned as the years have progressed? Do the kids and work take all your time and energy leaving little to none for fun with your spouse? If so, marriage enrichment may be the service for you. It is different from traditional couple’s counseling in that there is not an identified “problem” but rather a focus on growth and having the best marriage possible. This form of counseling is more structured and revolves around teaching specific skills including communication, problem solving, adaptability, stress management, and conflict resolution. It also emphasizes the importance of commitment, love, forgiveness, and friendship. Whether through a formal assessment such as Prepare/Enrich or collaboratively setting goals in session, your therapist will facilitate a safe space to strengthen and grow your marriage to it’s full potential. 

To begin assessing areas of strength and potential growth in your marriage take on the online quiz. 

Prepare for marriage | enrich your relationship

Prepare/Enrich is one of the most widely researched assessment tools and offers a unique insight into the marital and family relationship. While Prepare/Enrich offers a great deal of support into preparing couples for marriage it is an expansive tool that can help enrich the couples relationship for years to come as well.

Through on going research the Prepare/Enrich assessment continues to develop and react to our ever-changing society producing the most up-to-date evidenced based tool possible. And with more than 4,000,000 couples having utilized the assessment to help prepare for marriage and enrich their relationships it is clear that this assessment is well founded.

Several of our providers are well trained and equipped to work with you and your partner to both prepare you for marriage and enrich your relationships. Contact us to learn more about the Prepare/Enrich assessment and our counseling services.

Specialized care for your family

The family unit is the foundation of our society and as such we believe that a strong family system is an integral part of a healthy life. Our counselors are professionally trained to help your family develop in the healthiest way possible. From parenting skills to complex family system conflicts our counselors are dedicated to working with you and the ones you love.

Play therapy for Children aged 5 to 12

Play Therapy can be implemented as a treatment plan typically for clients 5 – 12 years of age. Play Therapy (including, but not limited to play, sand tray and art therapy) treatment plans can be utilized as the primary intervention or as an adjunctive therapy for multiple social, emotional, and behavioral concerns.

Play therapy can be effective with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: children whose problems are related to life stressors, such as divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, and general stressful experiences from home, school or social situations. 

Counseling sessions involving play help children:

• Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
• Develop new and creative solutions to problems.
• Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
• Learn to experience and express emotion.
• Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
• Learn new social skills and relational skills with family.
• Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities.

Faith-Based Counseling

When life gets tough sometimes our spiritual life suffers. If your faith is important to you it is also important for it to be a part of your healing process. You’ve probably already come to find out that all of your problems can’t be solved by reading your Bible and praying more. Let us help you make sense of God’s plan in the midst of your struggles. Since all Truth is God’s Truth we can point out ways that Scripture confirms Psychology and help you come up with a plan for expressing your emotions and handling life’s struggles in a way that honors God.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a cognitive- behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related problems.  The overall goals of CPT are to improve your PTSD symptoms, and any associated symptoms you may have (such as depression, anxiety, guilt, or shame). On average, CPT consists of 12-16 individual hour therapy sessions.

In these sessions, you will learn about the symptoms of PTSD and the reasons why some people develop it. You and your therapist will also identify and explore how your trauma or traumas have changed your thoughts and beliefs, and how some of these ways of thinking may keep you ‘stuck’ in your symptoms.  CPT does not involve repeatedly reviewing the details of your trauma(s). However, you will be asked to examine your experiences in order to understand how they have affected your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.   We currently have two therapists trained in CPT; Emily Larzabal and Kimberly Presley who can begin to help you unpack the impact your experiences have on your daily functioning in order to improve your daily living. 

Trauma Recovery

Most people experience a traumatic event in their lives, whether it be an accident, a sudden death, an exposure to a distressing or violent incident, or something else.  No two people process and cope with trauma the same but it is important to process and cope in some way.  Trauma recovery counseling helps you organize the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that have changed as a result of your experience.  For some, there have been big changes in lifestyle after surviving a trauma, for others the changes are more subtle over time.  Recovering from trauma doesn’t always mean processing all of the details of the incident as each person recovers differently.  Our counselors can help you identify what you need to overcome the impact of the trauma and help you return to the life you want.  At Taylor Counseling Group, we have clinicians trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy. 

Depression Counseling 

Depression can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and debilitating.  When you’re depressed, you may also experience helplessness, anxiety, lack of motivation for change, changes in sleep, and hopelessness.  Our counselors can help you work through these challenges with a variety of interventions to get you back to where you want to be.  Therapy for depression doesn’t just focus on the hardships that impact your depression, but our counselors will work with you to create an individualized treatment approach to finding solutions that fit for you.  Whether your relationships are suffering, substances are being used to self-sooth, or you just feel like life is never going to improve, we can help you find the quality of life you have been striving for. 

If you are concerned you are suffering from depression take the online depression quiz.

Anxiety Counseling

Anxiety is defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune, and in its most basic form is a common and normal reaction to everyday life stressors. It is when these feelings of worry and apprehension are excessive, uncontrollable, and come with no evidence to warrant the feelings, at that point one may want to consider examining the sources of the these feelings. Uncontrolled anxiety can lead to depressed mood, substance misuse/abuse and physical symptoms such as tightness in the chest, stomach discomfort, dizziness, muscle tension, restlessness,and headaches. It is important that one treats their uncontrolled Anxiety as it is essential for overall health and wellness. At Taylor Counseling Group your Therapist, with patients and encouragement, will help you examine and consider all relevant factors in your life that may be impacting or exacerbating your anxiety symptoms, and then create treatment around you. Whether you are looking for cognitive behavioral approach, need more mindfulness based practices, or a combination of the two your counselor will work with you to obtaining a life free from the excessive worry and doubt that you may be currently experiencing on a daily bases. Feel free to click the link below to complete an anxiety test and take the first step to freedom.

If you are worried that you might be struggling with anxiety take the online quiz. 

We all feel a little lost from time to time...

With Facebook, Twitter, instagram, and Snapchat there is a certainty that we are far more self obsessed with what we are doing than in who we are. Happiness is not real unless it has been properly logged and hashtaged. We must at all times keep a record of where we have been and what we are doing to prove to ourselves and to others that we exist and that our existing is pleasant and liked. How fake have we become? Perhaps, that is unfair. Perhaps we have always been this self obsessed but are only now realizing the depth of our narcissism as the mirror grows larger.

Do you feel lost or alone? Trying figure out who you are and where you fit into this thing called life. Perhaps working on your identity can help you to discover who you really are and to develop the courage to become and develop your true identity.

How to say godbye to the ones you love

Have you been struggling with the loss of a loved one, close friend, or a family pet? Grief can be an intense experience associated with strong feelings of sadness, guilt, regret, and even anger. We often feel alone or lost and can question if there is meaning to our lives. Others may find a positive experience in grief and view loss as a release. Regardless these emotions are often surprising and can be deeply confusing. During this time it is normal feel the need to run to cry or even to laugh. Sharing your feelings is an important part of the grieving process. Take time to reach out to other family members and friends and share your feelings and memories about the bereaved. Should you find yourself struggling with the five stages of grief or just want someone to share in your struggle our professional counselors are here to help.

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Addiction Recovery

If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, there is confidential support available at Taylor Counseling Group. Addiction affects the whole person mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and negatively permeates relationships even if done is secret. Whether it be food, alcohol, pornography, legal or illegal drugs, or codependency that vies for control, your therapist will provide a safe, unbiased space to work through the root issues and shame contributing to maladaptive, self-destructive behaviors caused by addiction. They will also walk along side you as you build a support network, develop healthy coping skills and relapse prevention plan, and find new meaning in order to lead a satisfying, empowered life. 

LGBTQ COmmunity

Everyone has life struggles that they are dealing with, but being part of the LGBTQ community often comes with additional stress, such as discrimination, identity issues, and low self esteem. If you are seeking Therapy and are part of the LGBTQ community, Taylor counseling is a comfortable place for therapy where you will receive the help you need without judgement. Whether you are struggling to come out, having family issues, marital/relationship issues, or just dealing with the day to day struggles of life your Therapist will create a treatment plan specific to you and your needs in an environment that allows to to speak freely,openly, and honestly about your needs. We are here to help you navigate through the challenges in order to become the most authentic version of yourself.

ADHD Treatment

ADHD typically begins in childhood and can continue on into adulthood. Low self-esteem, troubled relationships and difficulty at school or work can be contributing factors if left untreated. While there is no cure for ADHD, there are several treatments available that can help reduce the symptoms and improve functioning: medication, education/training, psychotherapy as well as a combination of treatments. Our counselors are here to help you manage the symptoms with a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Sex & PornogrAphy Addicitions

We live in an astonishingly sexualized society and yet there are some who are ashamed to discuss sexual problems in counseling. The habitual misuse of sexual behavior for the purpose of changing/improving one’s mood or psychological state identifies as an addiction to sex. It is a repetitive, compulsive behavior difficult or impossible to control. It leads to actions designated solely for the purpose of obtaining the substance or access to the behavior and then to cover up the use. Using and abusing sexual behaviors is a way to forget pain and anxiety. Over time the body and the brain need the sexually arousing behavior (pornography, sadistic or masochistic behaviors, masturbation or a relationship with a lover) in ever-increasing amounts to cope at minimum and prevent the symptoms of withdrawal. There is hope! One of the most valuable things we can do for you is to normalize discussions about sex. Our counselors are here to help you break secret habits, defeat shame, create connections in relationships, build true intimacy and form a healthy view of sex.

Shame, Sex & Pornography: A Support Group for Men

Shame, Sex & Pornography is a free support group for men hosted in our Farmers Branch office by Alfred Horstman, M.A. LPC - Intern (Supervised by Dr. Christopher S. Taylor, LPC-S). The group meets weekly on Thursday mornings and no registration or commitment is required. Sex, porn, love, and intimacy addictions are some of the most shame full and hidden addictions we can struggle with. Many men choose to struggle in the shadows feeling as though they are unable to connect with others. This support group is for men who are suffering and is a place to gather and to support one another. 

• A Free Support Group Men
• No Registration or Reservations
• No Judgement
• No Shame

Every Thursday

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM

Farmers Branch Office

TBI

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury with a wide variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear until days or weeks following the injury. The impact of even a mild brain injury or concussion can have devastating effects on people and their families. Here at Taylor Counseling Group we can help with the recovery process and move from a time of confusion and distress, to a time of coping and problem solving. Through education, counseling, and compensatory strategies, you can improve functioning in your daily life despite a brain injury.

Pain

Constant pain is not only stressful for your body but also psychologically stressful. It can lead to frustration with yourself and family members, hopelessness, and debilitation. That is why it is important to seek help not just for the physical aspects but also assistance in managing the mental and emotional aspects of persistent pain. Our clinicians can aid you in managing pain through stress management, thought restructuring, and life style changes. You don’t have to go through this difficult time alone.

A support group for Fetal Death and Still Birth

Empty Arms is a free support group for women hosted in our Farmers Branch office by Johanna Horstman, M.A. LPC - Intern (Supervised by Dr. Christopher S. Taylor, LPC-S). The group meets weekly on Tuesday mornings and no registration or commitment is required. Fetal death, miscarriage, and stillbirths are some of the most painful life experiences possible and often leave us questioning our worth and purpose. Not only are these tragic events extremely painful but they carry a great deal of shame. Many women choose to struggle in the darkness feeling as though they are unable to connect with others. This support group is for women who are suffering and is a place to gather and to support one another. 

Empty Arms

• A Free Support Group for Women
• No Registration or Reservations
• No Judgment
• No Shame

Every Tuesday

Starting July 24th, 2018

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM

Farmers Branch Office

Stress Managemant

Stress, if not dealt with, can affect your mind, body and soul. Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you -- and many things that you do yourself -- put stress on your body. You can experience good or bad forms of stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. Take time for yourself every day to reflect on your stress level and begin to lower your stress by creating and practicing skills that help soothe you. Self-Soothing techniques as simple as making and enjoying a cup of tea can be soothing at the end of a long stressful day. Make your tea the old fashioned way (instead of using a Keurig)! Listen for the sound of the water boiling, and then the whistle of the kettle when it is ready. Smell the aroma of tea before you take a sip. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands. Your stress has probably decreased just by reading these words. Now, go make that cup of tea!

Try these things to stay stress free:

• Be assertive

• Try meditation for stress management

• Engage in some kind of exercise everyday

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals and drink plenty of water

• Find a hobby

• Get enough rest and sleep; Your body needs time to recover from stress

• Steer clear of alcohol and drugs to reduce stress

• Spend enough time with those you enjoy

• Positive attitudes are a must

Try this mini Headspace exercise.