I believe that everyone has a unique story. Our stories hopefully include some good times, times of joy and hopefully times of knowing peace, love and contentment. At the same time, I know that there are many memories of loss, fear, childhood and adult trauma events, war, life transitions, mental illness and medical events including chronic illness. Sometimes these can all come up unexpectedly and be destabilizing and feel overwhelming. As a psychotherapist, it is my role to support you through these difficult times by helping you to explore and understand your own story, discover personal strengths, and develop new strategies for coping and moving forward.
For nearly 30 years I have been helping individuals, children and families in a variety of community-based, outpatient and inpatient settings. I decided to leave organizational life and have been in private practice as a clinical social worker since 2010. I am licensed by the State of Maine as a Clinical Social Worker. My formal education includes a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of New England. I also have a Master's Degree in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph’s College. As an undergraduate, I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine.
For several years, I worked within the State of Maine Judicial System as a Guardian ad litem conducting child custody evaluations.
I further enjoy spending time as a member of the adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University and Central Maine Community College.
Advanced and specialty training has been an important part of my commitment to my clients. Some of these areas of study include Psychological Trauma, Trauma and Dissociation, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Transformative Mediation, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Theory. I belong to the National Association of Social Workers, EMDR International Association, the Clinical Social Work Association, and the International Society for Stress-Dissociation.
Additionally, I am certified as a Case Manager by the Commission for Case Manager Certification and as a Master Forensic Social Worker by the American College of Forensic Examiners International.
I have many years of experience working in business and health management in the areas of process and quality improvement, program development, outcomes assessment and management and population health.
Trauma survivors (whether from childhood or adulthood) often struggle with feelings of loneliness, confusion, an inability to trust, and a feeling or sense of being “out of touch or detached” with self or environment. Symptoms can threaten close relationships, complicate communication, impair problem solving, and get in the way of being able to live a full and satisfying life. Many opportunities for hope and recovery lie in getting the right treatment at the right time.
Mild depression and anxiety are all too common in today's society but can develop into a major life limiting issues. Counseling can introduce you to the many tools, resources and ways of being that can decrease and potentially resolve these symptoms.
Mental health conditions such as Bi-polar illness, Schizophrenia and other thought disorders can be significant impediments to living a happy, whole and satisfying life. A professional and supportive relationship with a therapist can help you negotiate the many challenges you face on a daily basis.
Whether a surprise or planned, the impact and associated change with life transitions can often throw us into a spin and create fluctuations in mood, increased anxiety and sometimes fear. Working with a therapist can offer a grounding, objective voice while providing a safe environment to explore ideas and new ways of living.
There are many layers to dealing with a chronic or medical illness. Your treatment, facing new limitations on your body/mind, family reactions and impact, work, living life, and just trying to "feel normal again" are just a few. A skilled therapist can offer a listening ear, support and help you discover new ways of thinking about your life and future and how to integrate the new pieces into a new and fulfilling life.
Children are not little adults, they are children with their own unique and special ways of interacting and experiencing the world. Sometimes behaviors are difficult for families to manage, scary for children and overwhelming. Just as unique as they are, there are also specific strategies and approaches to help kids be healthy kids and parents to survive parenthood.
*I do not have any child openings at this time...
Solution and Strengths-Focused
Mental Health Counseling
Evidence-based Treatment for Trauma and other Mental Health Conditions
***EMDRia Certified in EMDR***
Evidenced-based treatment for children who have experienced trauma
Attachment and Relationship-focused treatment for very young children who have experienced trauma. Evidence-based
Clinical Supervision and Consultation for other Mental Health Clinicians
175
90 mins
135
50 mins
for other therapy professionals
135
60mins
75/ea
60 mins
Several major insurances accepted although this does vary from time to time. Please feel free to ask.
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79 Main Street, Auburn, Maine, United States
Ph (207) 553-0079, Fax (207) 618-5409
Monday - Wednesday: 10am - 5pm
Thursday: 8am-11am
Friday: Administrative
Others by appointment
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/hotlines.htm
American Psychological Association Trauma Division (APA Div. 56)
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies:
David Baldwin’s Trauma Pages:
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
Campbell Collaboration
Child Development Institute
Children, Youth & Family Consortium
Elizabeth Smart Foundation
Gay and Lesbian National Hotline
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
JAYC Foundation Inc.
Model Programs
National Association of Social Workers
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
National Center for PTSD
National Council on Disability
National Indian Child Welfare Association
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
National Institute for Mental Health Information on PTSD
National Mental Health Association
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Promising Practices Network
The Williams Institute
US DHHS Administration for Children & Families
Zero to Three
Copyright © 2019 Rhonda Hughes, LCSW - All Rights Reserved.