ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADHD-like symptoms can range from mild to overwhelming and can differ from person to person. ADHD is typically considered a diagnosis given to children but can it can evolve throughout one’s life without treatment. Without treatment, symptoms may evolve into different issues negatively impacting an individual’s personal and professional life such as setting goals, managing time, being organized and maintaining a job.

Symptoms of ADHD can include:

• Forgetfulness
• Challenges with listening and retaining information
• Struggles with homework or listening in class
• Struggles with sitting still for periods of time
• Decreased ability to finish tasks

Children with ADHD may struggle troubled relationships, low self-esteem and poor school performance but should not be classified as having ADHD just because they’re different from their siblings or friends. Children who are experiencing problems at school but get along well at home or with their friends may be struggling with something other than ADHD. The same is true for those who may be struggling at home while their schoolwork and friendships remain unaffected.

At Apex Counseling Services, we have professional counselors and therapists who are eager to help those suffering with ADHD-like symptoms. We believe individuals with ADHD can function at high levels and experience great success in their work and relationships. Call us today at (614) 751-1090 or visit the links below to learn more.

ADD/ADHD Clinicians

Whitehall – Willie Glover, Ph.D. | Belinda Ampomah, IMFT

Gahanna – Kristen Deye, LPCC | Christina Scott, LISW | Maria Simpson, LPCC | Scherry Summers, LPCC

Worthington – Randall Cheloha, Ph.D.

Anger is an issue that many adults and children struggle with. Whether its a child struggling with classmates at school or a quick temper toward a co-worker or spouse, anger management can be a challenging task. Managing anger doesn’t try to keep you from feeling anger or encourage you to hold it in. Feeling anger is a normal, healthy emotion when you know how to express it appropriately. When you do, not only will you feel better, but you’ll also be more likely to get your needs met, be better able to manage conflict in your life, and strengthen your relationships. You may learn strategies to manage anger on your own through books or other resources, but for many, taking an anger management class or seeing a mental health professional is the most effective approach.

Whether you’ve experienced a one-time incident or a pattern of losing control, we are here to listen, support, and help you move forward. You can call us today at (614) 751-1090 or visit the links below to learn more.

Anger Management Clinicians

Whitehall – Henry Kaminski, LISW-S | Willie Glover, Ph.D. | William Vasilakis, Psy. D. | Gale Griffin, LISW-S, Denise Hatter-Fisher, Ph.D. | Lisa Menefee, LPC

Gahanna – Kristen Deye, LPCC | Micah Morgan, LPC | Maria Simpson, LPCC | Scherry Summers, LPCC

Worthington – Randall Cheloha, Ph.D. | Manife Sagnia, LPCC, LSW | Kris Hausser, LISW

Anxiety and depression disorders are different, but people with depression often experience symptoms similar to those of an anxiety disorder. There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, as each disorder has its own causes and symptoms, but there is evidence that many people suffer from both disorders.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States but less than 25% of Americans with anxiety disorders receive any kind of treatment for their condition. Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life, whether it appears when faced with a problem at work or before making an important decision. For an individual with anxiety, however, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. There are several types of anxiety – the most common anxiety conditions are Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Specific Phobia, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Apex Counseling Services treatment for anxiety can include strategies such as:

• Behavioral Therapy

• Psychotherapy

• Family Therapy

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy

• Spiritual Direction/Development

Many of our clinicians specialize in anxiety disorders and they will work with you to develop a plan that may involve a mixture of these treatment models. If you are suffering with an anxiety problem we welcome the opportunity to help you reduce or eliminate these symptoms so that you may live a life of enjoyment and peace.

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder and many individuals suffer needlessly when help is available. There are different types of depressive disorders, and while there are many similarities among them, each depressive disorder has its own unique set of symptoms. It is important to take the proper treatment course for your specific type of depression. Lots of people can experience depression-like symptoms but that doesn’t mean they have depression.

You may be experiencing a depressive illness of some of these symptoms describe you:

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

• Appetite and/or weight changes

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

If you or a loved one are experiencing some of these symptoms, it is recommended that you seek professional evaluation and treatment. If you are experiencing any suicidal thoughts or impulses, please go to your nearest hospital emergency room or call Netcare Access at 614-276-2273.

Help is available and relief from depression is possible. Call us at (614) 751-1090 to schedule an assessment with a counselor.

Dealing with a significant loss can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Loss is an inevitable part of life, and grief is a natural part of the healing process that should not be rushed. We understand that experiencing a significant loss can impact us in profound ways emotionally, relationally, physically and spiritually. The length of the grief process is different for each individual and there is no predictable schedule for grief.

At Apex Counseling Services, we commonly see individuals searching for help to cope with:

• Loss of a loved one
• End of a relationship
• Death of a pet
• Loss of a job
• Major life transition
• Empty nest
• Health Issues
• Past trauma

It is important to be patient with yourself as you experience your unique reactions to the loss. It is normal for significant dates or other reminders to trigger feelings related to the loss. With time and support, things generally do get better.

For Christians, the ability to incorporate biblical principles of faith, prayer and Scripture into a difficult situation or season of life is of utmost importance. Apex Counseling Services provides Christian counseling services from a variety of clinicians who are eager to bring these values directly into the therapy session. We value the Word of God, self-discipline, respect and gratitude. These are few of many values we use to guide the way we approach counseling. When working with individuals, couples, and families, we respect the spiritual dimension of each person in the healing process. Our Christian counselors aim to provide a Christ-centered and biblical approach to counseling when requested by the client.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or “OCD” is a mental health disorder that can affect both genders, adults and children and occurs when an individual gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that can trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors that an individual engages in to attempt in getting rid of the obsessions and/or decreasing his or her distress. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety. Many people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their live, but that does not mean they have “some OCD”. OCD thoughts aren’t simply excessive worries about real problems in your life or liking to have things cleaned or arranged in a specific way. The level of an individual’s OCD can range anywhere from mild to severe, but if left untreated, it can limit his or her ability to function at work, school, or to lead a comfortable existence at home or around others.

Some compulsion signs and symptoms include:

• Repetitive handwashing

• Silently repeating a word or phrase

• Checking things repeatedly

• Hoarding

• Ordering/arranging

• Mental rituals

If your obsessions and compulsions are affecting your quality of life, or a family member’s quality of life, we encourage you to research and learn about treatment. Call us today if you would like to consult with one of our OCD counselors.

In healthy doses, stress can be a good thing. These moderate doses can help us work harder to set and achieve goals. However, when stress is in control, it can rob us of happiness and health. We can never eliminate stress from our lives entirely as stressful situations are a part of life. Fortunately, we can learn to react to stress in a positive manner and take control of the situation rather than allowing the stress to remain in control. It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress but you have a lot more control than you might think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, emotions, thoughts, and the way you deal with problems.

There are many indicators of stress. Physical signs of stress include:

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Change in eating habits

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Heart Palpitations

Emotional signs of stress include:

• Feeling “burnt-out”

• Depression

• Losing interest in normally pleasurable activities

• Abnormal irritability

No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. Our professionally trained clinicians understand the different stressors that one may face and are here to help you improve boundaries, relationships, organizational skills, managing conflict, and your overall ability to manage stress.

Substance Abuse is a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. This can result from using a substance in a way that is not intended or because you are taking more than what is prescribed. These substances can include alcohol and other drugs (illegal or not) as well as some substances that are not drugs at all. If substance abuse problems are ignored, they are likely to get much worse. We believe that there are a wide variety of complex issues to consider when it comes to substance use, abuse, diagnosis and treatment. Friends and family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse and early recognition increases the chances for successful treatment.

Some signs to watch for include the following:

• Declining grades

• Disappearing money or valuables

• Aggressiveness and irritability

• Significant change in mood or behavior

• Forgetfulness

• Giving up past activities (sports, homework, hanging out with new friends)

• Feeling depressed, hopeless, or even suicidal

• Getting drunk or high on drugs on a regular basis

• Getting in trouble with the law

• Drinking and driving

• Taking risks, including sexual risks

• Suspension or other problems at school or in the workplace for an alcohol or drug-related incident

Treating substance abuse often requires treatment in a rehabilitation program and depends on both the person and the substance being used. You may want to consider the use of outpatient individual counseling for a variety of reasons, including if:

• Attempts at intensive inpatient, intensive outpatient or rehab have not worked

• You would like to explore issues that may be contributing to your use

• You are looking for professional support for relapse prevention

• You wonder if you are seeing some early signs of a substance abuse problem.

It’s important to know that there are steps you can take to get on the road to recovery. We realize that lasting change occurs in stages and we will work with you regardless of whether your motivation is high, feels non-existent, or varies day to day. Your readiness to change is critical and change is possible. Call us today to find out what steps you can take now.

The experience of a traumatic event can overwhelm a person for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. The fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. These triggers can occur by reliving the feelings, sometimes without the visual memory. While nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma and recover from its symptoms naturally, those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD.

Our counselors often see people experiencing negative symptoms after traumatic event such as:

• Adult PTSD

• Domestic Violence

• War and Combat

• Car Accidents

• Witnessing or experience a crime

• Sexual Assault or Abuse

• Workplace Accidents

Child/Adolescent PTSD

• Neglect

• Physical Abuse

• Sexual Abuse

• Psychological Abuse

If you have troubling memories, unexpected emotional reactions that disrupt your living, or have already been diagnosed with PTSD, we encourage you to contact us. We are here to help.