Donna Hurd, MA LPCC

If you are feeling defeated, confused, wanting better relationships or unsure of how to cope with your present situation, counseling can be extremely beneficial. You and I will work together to find solutions so that you may live a happier, more satisfying and productive life. I work with adults who are dealing with life transitions, anxiety, stress, depression, communication and relationship issues, grief and trauma. I will listen to you without judgement and with a great amount of compassion. Together we will explore ways to understand where you are, where you want to be and how to get there. As your counselor I can help you interpret what seems like a formidable path to one that is manageable and makes sense to you. Discovering who you are, at any age, can be fulfilling and joyous.

I realize that it can be difficult to ask for help and that mental health issues can be very overwhelming. Making that first phone call or e-mail can be the toughest part. Once you discover that you have a counselor who is able to understand what is bothering you and who knows how to help, can feel like a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders. Having a caring professional in your corner is invaluable.

Clients enter counseling with challenges that often seem insurmountable to them. Helping these clients sort out the details that they are struggling with is incredibly rewarding to me. Through our discussions, clients find out things about themselves that they had overlooked or not realized. They have moments of "aha" where things suddenly make sense and it's like watching a light go on. The looks of relief on their faces and the feelings of release are almost palpable. Counseling is a place for honesty, which is very liberating, for me and for them.

I believe that what people want most is to be respected and valued for who they truly are. This requires one to be honest with oneself and also comfortable with that honesty. How difficult and exhausting it is to pretend to be someone that you are not. Often, we try to live up to the standards of others or be someone who we think we should be, and we lose ourselves in the process. How freeing it can be to let go of all the expectations of others and become who you truly are. In our counseling sessions, we will explore what your priorities are and find ways to achieve your goals while living authentically and true to yourself.