Women’s Issues

Counseling is a confidential process. We adhere to strict professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. We are required by practice guidelines and standards of care to keep records of your counseling sessions. However, information can only be released with your permission and written consent unless mandated by law. You should be aware; however, that there are a few exceptions regarding confidentiality. For example, therapists are required to take appropriate action when a client is judged to be in imminent danger of harming oneself or threatens grave bodily harm to another person, and this action supersedes confidentiality. We must also report all incidents of child or elder abuse, whether it has already occurred or is likely to occur. Finally, under certain circumstances, confidentiality may be superseded by a court order. If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, bring them to the attention of your therapist.

At the Banyan Tree, our therapists can assist women with a multitude of issues. These may include managing life transitions like marriage, motherhood or menopause, dealing with reproductive and sexual health issues, coping with gender-based violence or harassment, and navigating professional challenges such as workplace discrimination or balancing career and family. Additionally, therapists can help address mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body image issues, and self-esteem problems. They also provide support for relationship problems, personal growth, loss and grief, and stress management. Therapy is a personal journey, and our therapists are here to help with whatever challenges you're facing.

Women's issues in therapy refer to a range of challenges and experiences that are unique to or more common among women. These issues may include postpartum depression, body image and eating disorders, gender discrimination or gender role stress, self-esteem issues, domestic violence, and sexual assault trauma.

Treating anxiety issues, regardless of gender, typically involves a combination of individual therapy, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, medication. At the Banyan Tree, we offer holistic individual counseling services that focus on understanding the root cause and symptoms of your anxiety. Counseling approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and stress management strategies can be particularly effective.

We advocate for a balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices. In some instances, medication may be recommended in conjunction with therapy, and we can provide referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals. 

It's important to remember that every person is unique, so what works for one person might not work for another. That's why we tailor each mental health treatment to meet the specific needs and preferences of the individual. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, we encourage you to reach out to us.

Mental health professionals differ in many respects from other healthcare providers. Unlike most physicians, dentists, and other professionals who work on flexible and inexact schedules, we commit a specific time period to each client. Therefore, it is important for you to appreciate the fact that a block of time has been set aside for you only. Our schedules can be crowded. Canceling or rescheduling an appointment without sufficient notice often means the loss of an hour of therapy to someone else that needed the appointment time. Therefore, we ask that you give at least 48 hours notice if you cannot be at the appointment for which you have contracted. If no notice of your cancellation is received, or if less than 24 hours notice is given, YOU WILL BE CHARGED A FEE FOR THE MISSED APPOINTMENT. Of course, rescheduling an appointment can be done at any time if there is an emergency or unexpected illness. Cancellation messages can be left on the voicemail. To prevent any confusion about your appointment time, always keep your appointment card. If a mistake is made, your appointment card is your means of verification.

Our typical clients are between the ages of 13 and 65+. They come to improve their lives in many different areas, including personal, school, career, and family. They may have relationship problems, addictions, parenting challenges, difficulties managing stress, depression. or anxiety. They may be learning to cope better with life's difficulties, such as illness, finding meaning in life, transitions, and decision-making. Maybe you've heard of people going to counseling and because of a stigma or belief that it was for people with "real problems," you hesitated to contact a therapist. Counseling teaches truly effective ways to deal with common, everyday irritations as well as more entrenched patterns of living. At the Banyan Tree, we can help you with whatever concern prompted you to look into our services. If we don't work with your particular concern, we will help you find someone who does. So whatever you're facing, please contact us. You will be taking a big first step to living the life you want to live!

Due to the nature of their work and the complexity of their schedules, our counselors are often not immediately available by telephone. The Banyan Tree phone number (706-850-7041) is answered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. by our office manager and intake coordinators. During other times, it is answered by a confidential answering machine, and calls will be returned by our office manager during the times listed above. The answering machine is also monitored once or twice daily during weekends and holidays. Please speak clearly and give numbers slowly, since we may not have any way to look up your number. If you have an urgent need, please make this very clear in your message. However, since we do not carry pagers, there may be a delay in our receiving your call request. If you are unable to reach us and feel that you can't wait for a return call, please contact your family physician or the nearest emergency room or mental health crisis center. If your counselor will be unavailable for an extended time, we will provide you, via our outgoing message, with the name of a colleague to contact, if necessary.

Women's therapy refers to a specialized type of therapy that focuses on issues specific to women, including maternal mental health, body image concerns, fertility issues, aging, menopause, domestic violence, sexual abuse, career pressures, and societal expectations. At the Banyan Tree, our women's therapy is tailored to address these unique concerns, offering a supportive environment for women to explore, understand, and navigate their individual challenges. The ultimate goal is to enhance their emotional well-being, resilience, and self-empowerment.

Our purpose is to help you resolve problem areas in your life. Although no one can solve your problems for you, we are trained to help people cope more effectively with their difficulties. We will do our best to understand you as a unique individual and help you work through your difficulties. We will listen, understand, and help you to the fullest extent of our professional training and experience. It is your responsibility to help us understand your life situation, thoughts, and feelings and to have the courage to try to master your problem areas. As a patient, you have the following rights:

• To ask for and receive information about our qualifications, including licensure, education, training, experience, membership in professional organizations, specific areas of practice, and limits on practice
• To have written information before therapy about fees, method of payment, insurance coverage, number of sessions that may be needed, on-call therapists used in case of vacations and emergencies, and cancellation policies
• To refuse to answer any question or give any information you choose not to answer or give
• To know if your case will be discussed with others (for instance, supervisors or consultants) and what information will be shared
• To ask about your progress
• To have any therapy procedure, including pros and cons of its use, explained to you before it is used
• To end treatment at any time (However, please schedule at least one session with your therapist before terminating treatment.)

Therapy can be beneficial for women at any time, regardless of their life stage or circumstances. It's particularly important to consider seeking therapy when experiencing feelings of overwhelming stress, anxiety, sadness, or other emotional distress that interfere with daily activities. Major life transitions, relationship issues, divorce, grief, and trauma are also common reasons for seeking therapy. Changes in eating or sleeping habits, persistent feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm are urgent signals to reach out to a professional. At the Banyan Tree, we provide a safe and supportive environment for women to navigate these challenges and promote their general well-being.

Choosing a therapist is a highly personal decision and depends on your comfort level. Some women may prefer to work with a female therapist due to shared gender experiences or comfort in discussing certain issues. However, the effectiveness and satisfaction of therapy largely depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship, not the therapist's gender. At the Banyan Tree, we offer our sessions with a diverse team of experienced therapists and aim to match each client with the therapist best suited to their unique needs and comfort level. It's essential to choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable discussing your concerns, regardless of their gender.

Recognizing a good therapist who specializes in women's issues requires considering several factors.

First, they should have relevant qualifications and experience in the field of women's health. Their therapeutic approach should be holistic, addressing the unique emotional, social, and physical needs women often encounter. Second, they should create a safe and comfortable environment where you feel seen, heard, and validated. Finally, a good therapist should demonstrate cultural competency, understanding how different cultural, societal, and personal factors can influence a woman's experience. They should tailor their therapeutic strategies to align with your own community, unique needs, and circumstances.

At the Banyan Tree, our therapists embody these qualities, focusing on their relationships and a personalized approach to support women in all aspects of their lives.

Yes! Not only do we believe it can, there is a substantial amount of research to support the idea that counseling works. We understand that you may feel skeptical and uncertain. Perhaps you or someone you know has tried it before with no success. We encourage you to try it anyway. The greatest predictor of counseling effectiveness is the relationship formed between the client and therapist. Browse our staff pages and contact our intake coordinator for a free consultation to determine if someone on our staff would be a good fit to work with you. Counseling works when you find the right fit.