When to Seek Help
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Mental health is critical to overall well-being, yet it’s often misunderstood or overlooked. In our fast-paced world, stress, anxiety, and emotional strain have become common experiences, making it challenging to distinguish between normal stress and signs of a more serious mental health issue. Understanding how to identify these challenges and knowing when to seek help is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional health.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
Mental health issues manifest in a variety of ways, often subtly at first. Here are some key signs to watch for:
Persistent Sadness or Depression: Feeling sad or down occasionally is a normal part of life. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing persistent sadness, feelings of emptiness, numbness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, it may be a sign of depression.
Anxiety and Excessive Worry: Anxiety can include excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, and is a natural stress response, but when it becomes overwhelming and persistent, it can interfere with daily life.
Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleep disturbances such as insomnia, excessive sleeping, or other changes in sleep habits may accompany conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Mood Swings: While everyone experiences ups and downs, sudden and intense shifts in mood may indicate a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, family, and social activities can be a red flag as individuals may feel overwhelmed or disconnected from others.
Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant weight loss or gain and changes in eating habits are often linked to stress, depression, or eating disorders.
Difficulty Coping with Daily Life: If you struggle to manage daily tasks, feel overwhelmed by responsibilities, or have difficulty making decisions daily, it could indicate a mental health condition.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
It’s essential to understand that everyone experiences mental health challenges differently, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step toward recovery.
Symptoms Persist for an Extended Period: If you’ve been experiencing any of the above symptoms for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to consult a mental health professional. Persistent symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition that requires treatment.
Impact on Daily Life: When mental health challenges begin to interfere with your ability to function in daily life—such as maintaining relationships, performing at work or school, or taking care of yourself—it’s crucial to seek help.
Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of selfharm or suicide, it’s critical to seek immediate help. This is a medical emergency, and you should contact a mental health professional, a helpline such as 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Increased Substance Use: Turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with mental health challenges is a serious sign that help is needed. Substance abuse often exacerbates mental health issues and can lead to a dangerous cycle of dependence.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, don’t hesitate to seek help. Many resources are available, including therapists, counselors, support groups, and hotlines. Refer to the last page of this guide for a provider directory and help line information.
Hi! I'm Emily Starr, a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Aligned Living Counseling and Coaching. I received my Master of Science degree with an emphasis in Community Counseling from John Brown University in 2014 and have over fifteen years of combined experience in residential, outpatient, and school-based mental health treatment settings. I work with adolescents, adults, divorced and single parents, and I see people of every race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
I offer individual counseling, both in-person and via teletherapy, for issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, women's issues, attachment wounds, values clarification, relationship issues, low self-esteem/self-worth, and issues related to divorce/custody.
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Experiential Therapy, and Attachment-based Therapy techniques to help clients understand how past experiences
shape their current behaviors and emotional responses. By creating a nonjudgmental space to process and explore these connections, I help guide my clients toward healthier coping strategies and more fulfilling relationships, promoting personal growth and healing.
I'm excited to offer outdoor therapy as a new service, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional office sessions. This unique, holistic approach to mental health fosters more profound healing and well-being while connecting clients with nature.
Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness but a testament to strength. You're not alone in your struggles—I'm here to provide you with a safe and supportive space. Your mental health is important, and I invite you to reach out if you're ready to take that step. Let's start your journey together towards a brighter future and healthier you!
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY | GROUP THERAPY | OUTDOOR THERAPY | COACHING
Accessible, Personalized Mental Health Care & Coaching.
Life can get difficult, and sometimes, a little help from a professional can make things better. I care about your well-being and can provide the tools needed to learn how to tackle even the most traumatic circumstances.
3901 Grand
The therapeutic space is sacred. It's a judgment-free space where healing occurs. It's a place where marriages are mended, families are restored, grief is expressed, anger is defined, and freedom is found. It's a place where you learn that two are better than one and that you can do hard things.
Living Well exists to empower you to experience transformation. Your past may be full of pain and trauma. Your current situation may cause you overwhelming anxiety or depression. Your marriage may be struggling. Your family may need mending. We want to walk alongside you in your journey.
Our professional therapists are trauma-informed and work with children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families. We can help with issues like anxiety and depression. We can help you define your anger and overcome your anxiety. Our therapists use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, C4C/EFT,
Kelsey Cheek, LAC
LIVING WELL FORT SMITH
Nathan Winiecki, LPC
LIVING WELL ALMA & FORT SMITH
Richard Waggoner, LPC
LIVING WELL FORT SMITH
Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Blended Family Solutions. Regardless of why you are looking for a therapist, we can help.
We have two locations in Fort Smith, one in Alma, and a new location opening in Russellville in the spring of 2025. Living Well is here to provide professional, Christ-centered counseling you can trust right here in the River Valley.
If you have family members in other parts of the state or children in college, Living Well employs over fifty counselors in cities across Arkansas. This enables us to offer the same professional services both in person and via Telehealth.
You do not have to hide in your struggles or remain stuck where you are. You are worthy of healing, hope, and wholeness. Call us today at (501) 737-4320 or scan the QR code provided and one of our helpful client representatives will be glad to assist you.
counseling you can trust
STATEWIDE CHRIST-CENTERED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES
Living Well Fort Smith & Alma provides traumainformed mental health services for: children teens adults of all ages couples families
We accept all major insurances, including Medicaid, and offer an income-based sliding scale. SCAN TO REQUEST YOUR SESSION!
GOT PROBLEMS?
4200 Jenny Lind Rd., Ste. C, Fort Smith 479.561.7600 / anchoredhopecounseling.net
There is this terrible idea in our society that we must know all the answers. We must do everything ourselves, keep a stiff upper lip, and never ask for help. Women aren’t supposed to get angry. Men aren’t supposed to cry. Too often, people come to therapy in a last-ditch effort when the wheels of life have fallen off, and nothing else is working. But you don’t have to wait until your darkest hour to ask for help. You don’t have to walk this road alone.
NO JUDGEMENT
With us, the therapy office is safe and confidential. It’s a place where you get to be who you are, free of judgment—period— and experience unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence (therapy talk for being real).
Sometimes, people assume therapy is about another person trying to figure them out. Maybe this was true at one time, but now it’s largely about the healing that’s possible when two people are simply honest with each other. Because the truth changes things.
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
At Anchored Hope, we understand you must “click” with your therapist to make real progress. Thankfully, we have nineteen therapists trained in various methods and techniques—and we can help find the right one for you. We welcome children, teens, and adults and offer play therapy, individual therapy, relationship therapy, grief counseling, and life coaching.
Our clients come to us with stories about everything from communication and boundary problems to loss, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Our response? You’ve gotta deal with that stuff. You can’t carry that baggage around forever.
OUR SERVICES
Letting go of your baggage may seem impossible, but that’s where a good therapist can offer tools.
One tool, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), once used primarily for war veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), is now used successfully for things many people wouldn’t identify as trauma—the loss of a relationship, being in a toxic work environment, preparing for an upcoming surgery, or anything that creates anxiety or holds you hostage.
It is a way to connect both sides of the brain and “reprocess” stressful events and emotions. EMDR usually requires less time than traditional talk therapy and can work even when clients don’t remember or wish to share specific details.
We're learning that our bodies remember everything that happens to us, even when a stressful event is long over, or we've mentally shoved it down. We go into fight, flight, or freeze mode and don't realize our bodies are trying to keep us safe. So, one goal of therapy is to increase self-awareness and learn more about our bodies, emotions, and relationships.
Anchored Hope Counseling is a safe place for help, hope, and healing. Sometimes in life, it feels like you have nothing to hold on to. You can anchor your hope with us while you weather life’s storms. Our experienced therapists provide counseling for individuals (children, teens, and adults) as well as couples who may be facing obstacles on their journey. We would love to be there for you!
For more information, check out our website, call us, or listen to our podcast, Discovering with Dr. Deb (on all platforms).
Anchored Hope is there every step of the way.
Anchored Hope Counseling is a safe place for help, hope, and healing. Sometimes in life, it feels like you have nothing to hold on to. You can anchor your hope with us while you weather life’s storms. Our experienced therapists provide counseling for individuals (children, teens, and adults) as well as couples who may be facing obstacles on their journey. We would love to be there for you!
Call to S tart Your Journey Today
I N D I V I D UA L
C O U N S E L I N G
Individual counseling is a collaborative process between the client and counselor as they work together towards the client’s desired goals. People seek therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply to work on boundaries, personal growth, or selfawareness. Individual counseling realizes the power in human connection and relationship and that “words” can heal, expand, renew, and empower our clients.
G R I E F
C O U N S E L I N G
Grief is the response to a loss – whether it be a death, divorce, move, natural disaster, or infertility, and it can be overwhelming. The loss causes a broad range of grief reactions including feelings, behaviors and cognitions. Some people are able to cope and make adaptations to loss on their own. However, some people experience distress that bring them to counseling. We can walk through grief with you.
R E L A T I O N S H I P
C O U N S E L I N G
Most would agree that a happy and healthy relationship contributes to happier and healthier individuals, as well as better outcomes for children in the marriages. When relationship conflicts arise, sometimes due to communication difficulties, value differences, infidelity, or other issues, remember there are options for struggling couples. If you are experiencing difficulties in your relationship, we can help.
D I S C OV E R I N G
W I T H D R . D E B
Love a good podcast? Discovering with Dr. Deb, a bi-monthly podcast, is on all platforms.
The first season, Discovering the Enneagram, with co-host Jason Gilmore, was super fun, interesting, and informative! The second season, Discovering Trauma and EMDR, with co-host, psychologist Dr. Christie Sprowls, covered topics such as the body and trauma, vicarious trauma, and neuroscience and trauma.
Swimming is an exceptional form of exercise with profound mental health benefits, making it an ideal choice for physical fitness and emotional well-being. Burton Pools and Spas offers the perfect environment to experience these benefits firsthand, whether in your backyard pool or through expertly designed spas.
One of the primary mental health advantages of swimming is the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” hormones that help alleviate stress and anxiety. As you swim, your body engages in rhythmic movements, and your brain responds by producing endorphins, leading to an enhanced mood and a sense of overall well-being. Burton Pools and Spas can create a swimming environment that allows you to tap into this natural mood boost every time you dive in.
Swimming also plays a crucial role in regulating breathing, essential for mental clarity and calmness. The controlled
breathing patterns developed while swimming mirror the techniques used in mindfulness and meditation practices, helping reduce anxiety and promote peace.
The tranquil environment provided by water further enhances relaxation and stress reduction. Water's buoyancy creates a soothing sensation that can calm the mind and ease the body. Whether floating gently or swimming laps, water offers a unique sense of serenity that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Swimming also offers an opportunity for family togetherness, which is crucial for emotional support and connection. Engaging in water activities with family strengthens bonds and creates joyful memories, contributing to a positive mental outlook.
Burton Pools and Spas can design spaces catering to families, ensuring everyone can benefit from the mental health advantages of swimming and time spent in the water.
Hearing loss is more than difficulty perceiving sound; it's intricately linked to cognitive health—the brain's ability to think clearly, learn, and remember.
Hearing is fundamentally a brain activity: while your ears detect sound, your brain interprets and makes sense of it. When hearing loss goes untreated, the brain receives fewer auditory signals to process, leading to under-stimulation. Over time, this can result in a decline in cognitive sharpness.
This cognitive decline isn't just a personal struggle; it can lead to social isolation and depression as individuals begin to avoid social activities that were once enjoyable.
Addressing hearing issues early is vital, as taking control of hearing loss can help delay or slow cognitive decline, allowing individuals to maintain an active, engaged lifestyle.
In addition to hearing loss, tinnitus—a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears—can significantly affect mental wellbeing. Tinnitus often exacerbates anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, making it difficult to focus and enjoy daily activities. We are dedicated to helping those suffering from tinnitus through Lenire ®, the only FDA-approved treatment option. Lenire ®, a cutting-edge treatment, combines sound therapy with mild electrical stimulation of the tongue to retrain the brain's response to tinnitus. This innovative device has relieved many patients, helping reduce the severity of tinnitus symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
We are proud to enhance the well-being of its patients by offering new technologies that address both hearing and cognitive health. Whether through advanced diagnostic testing or innovative treatments like Lenire®, your quality of life is their top priority.
HAS TINNITUS BECOME OVERWHELMING?
Tinnitus, often experienced as a ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be quite challenging. Lenire is a trusted treatment to address bothersome tinnitus. As the only authorized provider in Arkansas, we are pleased to offer Lenire, the only FDA-approved tinnitus treatment, to our patients.
The Center for Professional Psychology is an established clinic housing experienced professionals to meet the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional health needs of Fort Smith and the surrounding area. Dr. Janissa Jackson founded the clinic more than twelve years ago to offer clinical excellence by bringing together a group of trusted professionals skilled in evaluation and treatment.
CPP PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Jackson, Dr. Griffin, and Dr. Thornton are licensed clinical psychologists and provide a wide range of evaluation, treatment, and psychological testing services. While they maintain their individual specialties, they strive to provide the best in current clinical practice, matching researchbased treatment and testing methods with the highest standard of care.
Danielle Litchford, LPC, LMFT, and Michelle Pass, LPC, LMFT, are licensed marriage and family therapists, as well as licensed professional counselors, and have a depth of knowledge they each apply to families, couples, children, adolescents, and adults.
DR. JACKSON
Dr. Janissa Jackson received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2005 from the University of Arkansas after completing specialty training in evaluating and treating children and adolescents at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Furthermore, she received additional training in assessing and treating developmental concerns, including autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Jackson began her career in private practice in 2005 and has over eighteen years of experience in treatment as well as in psychological evaluations. She has more recently limited her practice to primarily focus on assessment. This decision came because of the great need for these types of evaluations and the long waiting lists that patients often must endure.
Diagnosis is often needed to open doors and help patients of all ages meet their highest potential. However, she has become passionate about providing additional options for those who struggle with cognitive processing and effective learning. That is what led her to pursue opening the educational franchise, Learning Rx, in both the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas. She divides her professional time between clinical work and consulting for Learning Rx.
DR. GRIFFIN
Dr. Narissa Griffin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) provider. She is a former Assistant Professor with the UAMS Department of Pediatrics and Schmieding Developmental Center. She entered private practice with the Center for Professional Psychology in 2016. Dr. Griffin treats patients across the lifespan and specializes in evidence-based treatment of children, adolescents, and their families, serving patients as young as two.
Her areas of treatment specialty include PCIT, Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, SPACE Treatment and Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, and management of challenges associated with
Developmental Disabilities, including sleep and toilet training. Dr. Griffin provides comprehensive psychological evaluation to children ages five and under, including assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder as early as two years of age.
DR. THORNTON
Dr. Bill Thornton recognizes and empathizes with people's struggles. He aspires to help each person he treats return to a meaningful, productive, and rewarding life as quickly as possible, with the least disruption.
Dr. Thornton has always endeavored to perfect the application of the most effective, scientifically supported treatments in his work with those he serves. Using only the best treatments, honed over twenty-five years of clinical experience as a foundation, he assesses, then diagnoses and treats both children (eight and up) and adults, invoking a variety of treatment environments, including child therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and addiction therapy services. His office is safe, comfortable, and inviting, so clients have a relaxing experience.
DANIELLE LITCHFORD, LPC, LMFT
Danielle Litchford is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Danielle earned her Master of Science in Community Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She has worked in various settings, including school-based
counseling, community mental health, and private practice. She has worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and families for over a decade who are dealing with a variety of mental health and relational issues. Danielle enjoys working with clients struggling with issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and adjustment issues.
MICHELLE PASS, LPC, LMFT
Michelle Pass, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, earned her Master of Science in Community Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at John Brown University. Trained in various methods, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, EMDR, and EquineAssisted Therapy, she has worked in day treatment, schoolbased counseling, community mental health, and private practice. She has worked extensively with children, adolescents, teens, adults, families, and couples for over a decade who are dealing with a variety of mental health and relational issues. Michelle excels in working with clients struggling with issues including trauma, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and coping with stress.
Michelle utilizes a person-centered, collaborative, strengthsbased therapeutic approach to help clients acknowledge the various unique contexts that impact their lives, connect with their strengths, and learn new ways to improve overall wellbeing. Her empathy and warmth help to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process and heal. Therapy looks different for all individuals, and she works together with the individual to develop a plan to reach their specific goals.
The Center for Professional Psychology is an established clinic housing experienced professionals to meet the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional health needs of Fort Smith and the surrounding area.
The Center for Professional Psychology maintains a long-standing reputation for informed psychological care. We are proud to provide a comfortable, yet professional therapeutic environment centered on confidentiality and trust.
Our mental health services include individual therapy, family counseling, and
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
psychological assessments to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, and more. Utilizing evidence-based treatments, we help our clients improve their mental well-being and achieve personal growth. We also offer specialized services like cognitive and behavioral therapies tailored to the unique needs of each client.
• Learning Disorders (including Dyslexia)
• Emotional Concerns
OUR PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Jackson, Dr. Griffin, and Dr. Thornton are licensed clinical psychologists and provide a wide range of evaluation, treatment, and psychological testing services. While each has their own area of specialty, they strive to provide the best in current clinical practice, matching research-based treatment and testing methods with the highest standard of care.
Danielle Litchford, LPC, LMFT, and Michelle Pass, LPC, LMFT, are licensed marriage
and family therapists, as well as licensed professional counselors, and have a depth of knowledge they each apply to families, couples, children, adolescents, and adults.
The Center for Professional Psychology provides a comfortable, yet professional environment centered on the importance of confidentiality and trust. Scan the QR code for direct access to our website.
Janissa D. Jackson Ph.D.
Narissa R. Griffin Ph.D.
William J. Thornton Ph.D.
Danielle Litchford LPC, LMFT
Michelle Pass LPC, LMFT
The Center for Psychiatric Wellness provides comprehensive mental health care, offering personalized treatment plans, therapy, and innovative treatments in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In the realm of mental health, finding effective treatments for depression can be challenging. For those who haven't found relief with traditional antidepressants, alternative therapies are crucial.
NEUROSTAR TMS
NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at The Center for Psychiatric Wellness in Fort Smith offers renewed hope in this landscape. Unlike medications or invasive treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), NeuroStar TMS is non-drug and non-invasive. It uses magnetic pulses— similar to those in MRI machines—to stimulate underactive brain regions that regulate mood. By targeting these areas, NeuroStar TMS aims to activate neural circuits critical for managing depression.
Real-world studies highlight its effectiveness: 83% of patients completing NeuroStar TMS reported significant symptom relief, with 62% achieving complete remission. These outcomes emphasize its potential for those who have exhausted traditional treatments.
A significant advantage of NeuroStar TMS is its minimal side effects compared to antidepressants. The most asked question about side effects is, "Does it hurt?" Some patients experience temporary discomfort or pain at the treatment site, which usually eases within the first few treatments—far less than the systemic side effects of medications.
CONVENIENCE
NeuroStar TMS is a convenient outpatient service completed in our Center for Psychiatric Wellness clinic. Patients can resume normal activities immediately. Unlike ECT, it doesn't affect memory or require anesthesia, making it less intrusive.
Financially, NeuroStar TMS is covered by major insurance plans, including Medicare. Resources on myneurostar.com educate patients about TMS, empowering informed treatment decisions. NeuroStar TMS offers hope beyond traditional antidepressants. With proven efficacy, minimal side effects, and insurance coverage, it's poised to transform depression care, fostering long-term remission and improved quality of life.
If you or someone you know struggles with depression despite trying antidepressants, consider NeuroStar TMS from the Center for Psychiatric Wellness—it could be the breakthrough needed for mental wellness.
KETAMINE INFUSION THERAPY
In addition to NeuroStar TMS treatment, the Center for Psychiatric Wellness offers Ketamine Infusion Therapy. Ketamine Infusion Therapy involves the administration of low doses of ketamine, a medication traditionally used as an anesthetic to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder and anxiety. This therapy is especially beneficial for patients who have not responded to conventional treatments such as antidepressants and psychotherapy.
Ketamine uniquely works on the brain, targeting NMDA receptors and increasing the levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. This process can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety quickly, often within hours of treatment, providing relief for individuals who have struggled to find effective solutions.
If you or a loved one is struggling with severe depression or anxiety and have not found relief through traditional treatments, NeuroStar TMS or Ketamine Infusion Therapy may be the solution you've been looking for. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a brighter, more hopeful future.
Fort Smith Therapy provides comprehensive and empathetic care to individuals on their mental health journeys. Situated in the heart of Fort Smith, Arkansas, the practice is known for its unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of its clients through evidence-based therapeutic practices and a nurturing, client-centered approach.
LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
Founded to provide high-quality mental health services to the community, Fort Smith Therapy operates on the principle that mental health is integral to overall wellness. The practice offers a serene and welcoming environment that fosters a sense of safety and comfort, allowing clients to engage in their therapeutic processes openly.
The team at Fort Smith Therapy is composed of licensed professionals, including licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), and marriage and family therapists (MFTs). This multidisciplinary team brings a wealth of expertise and diverse skills to the practice.
THERAPY OPTIONS
Fort Smith Therapy provides services designed to address various mental health concerns and support clients in achieving their personal and emotional goals. Essential services include therapy for individuals, couples and families, children and adolescents, groups, and teletherapy.
Individual therapy is tailored to meet each client's specific needs. Therapists employ various therapeutic approaches, such as emotion-focused therapy (EFT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic therapy, to help clients understand and manage issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma. By fostering a trusting and supportive relationship, therapists help clients explore their thoughts and emotions, develop coping strategies, and work toward personal growth and healing.
Couples and Family Therapy sessions can improve communication and resolve conflicts within relationships. Therapists can address a range of issues, including marital conflict, parenting challenges, and family dynamics. The goal is strengthening relationships, enhancing understanding, and promoting healthier interactions.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Specialized counseling services are available for children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges. Therapists use age-appropriate techniques and interventions to help young clients express their feelings, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve their overall well-being. By working closely with families, therapists ensure a comprehensive approach to support the child's development and address any underlying issues that may affect their mental health.
Group therapy sessions provide a supportive environment for clients to share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. Topics may include grief and loss, stress management, and addiction recovery. These sessions help clients feel less isolated and more understood as they connect with peers who share similar struggles.
To ensure accessibility, Fort Smith Therapy offers teletherapy services for clients who prefer or require remote sessions. This service enables individuals to receive consistent care regardless of location, making mental health support more accessible and convenient. In addition to these core services, Fort Smith Therapy also provides workshops and seminars on stress reduction, mindfulness, and mental health.
Fort Smith Therapy stands out as a beacon of hope and healing in the Fort Smith community, offering compassionate and effective mental health services to those in need.
AMBER
DAWN
TASHA
BEKAH
KAITLYN
MIDAS
CHEYENNE
KRISTAN SHAWNDA MOLLY AUDRA
5004 S. U St., Ste. 203, Fort Smith 479.883.2223 / healingtreetherapy.com
Women live healthier, happier lives when they feel confident about themselves. Healing Tree gives women the tools to uncover their true potential and embrace their lives.
FOR WOMEN
Our therapists help women address difficulties, including struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, childhood trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, and post-partum depression. Healing Tree clinicians are trained in multiple trauma therapies, including EMDR, hypnotherapy, brain spotting, and trauma-conscious yoga. With two board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners on staff, our focus is to provide women with hope and understanding in a nonjudgmental environment.
FOR TEEN GIRLS
Our targeted counseling for teen girls brings together creativity, life skills, and emotional healing to create a space where teens feel safe and connected. Girls today have it much harder than we did growing up. When we were kids, there weren't completely unrealistic reality shows on every channel and unattainable expectations for appearances on social media. Our bullies stayed at school—they couldn't follow us home on social media. Healing Tree therapists help teen girls develop the wisdom, strength, and confidence to handle the non-stop barrage of social media and peer pressure.
OUR SERVICES
We all need a place to dump our thoughts and feelings, sort through them, and uncover the reasons our lives are not where we want them to be so that we can discover the path we were meant to follow. Our services include counseling, and
where appropriate, we also provide medication management to help reduce the symptoms of emotional overwhelm many women feel.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
While medication is not suitable for everyone, it can play a vital role in treating specific mental health issues. Discovering the proper medication can reduce or eliminate symptoms and improve daily life. It's crucial to understand the effectiveness of medication varies from person to person and it's critically important to work with a professional with a keen understanding of the patient's medical history so they can customize a medication plan.
After medication is determined, our focus shifts to monitoring the medication's safety, reconciling other medications, and ensuring the medication produces the desired effect. It's essential to understand when to take medications, what dosage to use, its purpose, safety, side effects, effectiveness, and any potential risks from mixing medications with certain foods or other supplements. We can even provide medication management to our patients in Arkansas and Minnesota via telehealth for convenience.
At Healing Tree, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health and work hard to ensure our patients receive the highest-quality care. We specialize in helping women find calm amongst chaos so that they learn to feel more in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Our mission is to provide healing, expertise, and knowledge so that women gain the inner resources they need to live healthier and happier lives.
Medication Management
Individual Therapy Sessions
Individual Intensive Sessions
1/2 Day & Full Days Available
Workshops & Groups we offer: Mom & Teen Shared Journaling Workshop
Pre-Teen & Teen Boundaries Workshops
Online Emotional Junk Journaling Group
Yoga Workshops & Groups
Corporate Wellness & Empowerment Trainings
Accountabliity Coaching
Melanie
Tessa
Danielle
Tara
Christine
Dr. Bishop
Caren
Rachel
Amanda
Georgiana
Maria
Christina
398 E. 2nd St., Booneville 479.849.3270 / wacgc.org
At Horizon Renewal Center, we empower individuals and families impacted by addiction to achieve and sustain remission from substance use disorder. We provide comprehensive treatment services that are holistic and evidence-based while fostering a safe and therapeutic environment to promote healing for our clients.
WHY CHOOSE HORIZON RENEWAL CENTER?
Our team of highly trained and compassionate staff includes licensed therapists, Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Peer Recovery Support Specialists, and medical staff to assist and support clients on their recovery journey. Each client receives a comprehensive master treatment plan tailored to their unique needs, ensuring the best chance for long-term recovery. Clients engage in a person-centered approach that leverages their strengths to promote healing and personal growth. Participants receive individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, case management, peer support services, and therapeutic outings to some of the most serene countryside in western Arkansas.
Our professionals provide trauma-sensitive services and address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Medication management is provided after a thorough assessment by our medical staff. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based option offered at Horizon for individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder, providing a pathway to recovery that combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.
At Horizon, we recognize that recovery is not just about overcoming substance use; it's about rebuilding lives. That's why we emphasize life skills training, enabling clients to develop essential tools for managing day-to-day challenges, improving
relationships, and sustaining recovery in the long term. Our clients benefit from educational workshops and practical life skills sessions that cover everything from stress management to financial planning, empowering them to regain control over their lives.
PRIORITIZING NUTRITION
We also value a balanced and nutritional diet, understanding it as a vital part of recovery. By prioritizing nutritious meals, clients engage in an environment conducive to overall health and success in recovery. Proper nutrition can improve mental clarity, stabilize mood, and provide the physical strength needed to face the challenges of recovery.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change
- Adult Life Skills
- Journal and Meditation
- Mutual Support Group Meetings
- A variety of other daily enrichment activities
Substance abuse treatment at Horizon is entirely confidential. Participants can depend on our discretion and professionalism throughout their journey. Horizon is a division of The Guidance Center, a trusted provider of mental health and substance use disorder services for more than fifty years in western Arkansas.
Our legacy of care and commitment to the community ensures that every client receives the support they need to reclaim their lives from addiction. This mission has been made possible through our partnership with ARORP and the opioid litigation settlement funding.
HOPE AND HEALING ARE ON THE HORIZON.
We empower individuals and families affected by addiction to achieve lasting recovery through holistic and evidence-based treatment. Our comprehensive services include individual, group, and family counseling, case management, peer support, and therapeutic outings in the peaceful countryside of western Arkansas. We offer traumasensitive care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. We also prioritize balanced, nutritious meals, recognizing their importance in supporting overall health and recovery.
Re:Fresh Counseling has been serving the River Valley since 2015. We love our community and are all invested people who live and work here. Life can be a beautiful journey, and at Re:Fresh Counseling, we understand the complexities that many of us live with and experience on a daily basis. This is why we offer a variety of therapeutic services to partner with you in whatever season of life you are in.
We offer Individual Counseling, Couples/Marriage Counseling, Children & Adolescents, Family & Group Counseling, and Telehealth options. We have therapists who specialize in many different therapy approaches, including MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy), RPT (Registered Play Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy), CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapy), and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
Our team of therapists are available for the lifespan. From preschool forward, we have a professional to meet your needs,
whether that is trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, career changes, or family concerns surrounding marriage, divorce, blended families, or co-parenting. We collaborate as therapists to meet your family's needs by providing specialists in many areas. We refer when necessary for assessments or specialized care.
At Re:Fresh Counseling, it is of utmost importance to us to provide you with support and encouragement from when you make that first phone call to when you leave our office for the last time. We take pride in being a place of calm and safety for you on your therapeutic journey. No two people experience life the same, and we understand that the counseling journey is no different.
We are committed to walking alongside you and creating a therapeutic experience that fits your unique needs. Check out our website or find us on Psychology Today to meet our excellent team of therapists and support staff!
WHO WE ARE
Re:fresh Counseling has served the River Valley since 2015. We are committed to assisting and equipping you in every season of life. Our counselors are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities including Play Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, EMDR, Sex Addiction Therapy, and more. Whatever challenge you are facing, we strive to provide a comfortable and safe environment to allow for growth and change.
We recognize that this guide does not encompass all mental health providers in our area. However, it highlights a remarkable selection of dedicated professionals in our region who are committed to delivering essential mental health services to our community.
Aligned Living Counseling and Coaching
Fort Smith, Fayetteville
479.689.7009
alignedlivingcounseling.com
Anchored Hope Counseling
4200 Jenny Lind Rd., Ste. C, Fort Smith
479.561.7600
anchoredhopecounseling.net
Burton Pools and Spas
Fort Smith, Springdale, Fayetteville
479.648.3483 / burtonpools.com
Center for Hearing and Balance
7200 Cameron Park Dr., Fort Smith
479.785.3277 / centerforhearing.net
Center for Professional Psychology
5401 Rogers Ave., Ste 201, Fort Smith
479.242.4560 centerforprofessionalpsych.com
Center for Psychiatric Wellness
7217 Cameron Park Dr., Fort Smith
479.831.6007 centerforpsychiatricwellness.com
Fort Smith Therapy, Health and Wellnes s
2408 S. 51st Ct., Ste. G, Fort Smith 479.323.2424 / fortsmiththerapy.com
Healing Tree Women’s Counseling Center
5004 S. U St., Ste. 203, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.883.2223 / healingtreetherapy.com
Horizon Renewal Center
398 E. 2nd St., Booneville 479.849.3270 / wacgc.org
Living Well Professional Counseling
3901 Grand Ave., Fort Smith 501.737.4320 / arkansasfamilies.org
Refresh Counseling
5401 Rogers Ave., Ste. 200, Fort Smith 479.226.8403 / refreshcounseling.co
CRISIS CENTERS
AND CALL LINES
Get immediate help from trained professionals 24/7. Operators can connect you to local resources available for in-person support and other related issues such as domestic violence and mental abuse.
988 Suicide & Crisis
Lifeline (988 Lifeline)
Call: 988 / 988lifeline.org
1.800.273.8255
Press 1 for Veterans
Press 2 for Tele-Interpreters
Press 3 for LGBTQ
Arkansas Crisis Center
1.888.274.7472 / arcrisis.org
Arkansas Human Services
Mental Health & Addiction Support Line
Programs, services, service providers, and recovery resources
844.763.0198
humanservices.arkansas.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness Arkansas
Call: 800.844.0381 / namiarkansas.org
National Mental Health Hotline
866.903.3787