Mary (Gigi) Emerson-Follick, LMHC, MCAP, QS
Please call me Gigi.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 10 years of professional experience helping people reach their wellness goals. I am also a Master's level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) with a personal understanding of the disease of addiction and 12 step recovery. I have been blessed to be mentored by some amazing men and women throughout my journey, and I feel fortunate to follow in their footsteps as a Qualified Supervisor (QS) for counselors who are beginning their own professional journey.
My Counseling Philosophy
Welcome to Selah Counseling Care. Selah is a word found throughout the book of Psalms. The exact meaning is unknown, but it is believed to be a PAUSE in the music to mark a TRANSITION in the theme of the Psalm. In addition to taking a Pause, some traditional variations in the meaning that speak to me are Rest, Reflect, Praise, and Heal.
Life sometimes feels overwhelming, and we often believe we must trudge it alone. I think having a counselor come alongside is genuinely beneficial.
I believe a person-centered approach is the foundation of any therapeutic relationship. This means you are the expert on who you are and where you want to go. I also work personally and professionally from a holistic perspective, believing that the body, mind, and spirit are interconnected. I help my clients by providing a time to pause from their hurried lives, reflect, and heal. My priorities as a therapist are for my clients to feel heard, encouraged that they are not in this alone, and remain hopeful that they can reach their goals. I believe that goals are best reached when evidence-based practice aligns with client values in a safe and empathetic therapeutic relationship. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities to tailor your counseling experience to your needs.
I have practiced in both secular and Christian-based environments and am happy to integrate Christ-centered therapy for those who request it.
Areas of Focus
Theoretical Orientations
General Mental Health & Wellness
Theoretical Orientations
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is effective in changing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) is collaborative and designed to strengthen the commitment and motivation to change.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which has proven beneficial in the treatment of addiction, anxiety disorders, OCD
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is effective in changing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) is collaborative and designed to strengthen the commitment and motivation to change.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which has proven beneficial in the treatment of addiction, anxiety disorders, OCD, and even pain management, to name a few.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy includes skill development in Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotional Regulation, and Distress Tolerance.
- Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a behavior based practice to assist individuals experiencing OCD.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for processing trauma memories.
Specialties
General Mental Health & Wellness
Theoretical Orientations
- Adjustment Disorder: Are you experiencing symptoms of stress, sadness, hopelessness, isolation, trouble concentrating, interrupted sleep patterns, and changes in appetite following a stressful life event?
- Acute Stress Disorder
- PTSD
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsi
- Adjustment Disorder: Are you experiencing symptoms of stress, sadness, hopelessness, isolation, trouble concentrating, interrupted sleep patterns, and changes in appetite following a stressful life event?
- Acute Stress Disorder
- PTSD
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Trichotillomania
General Mental Health & Wellness
General Mental Health & Wellness
General Mental Health & Wellness
- Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Insomnia Sleep Disorder
- Phase of Life Problems: Examples include re-entering the job market or going back to school, getting married, adjusting to an "empty nest," retirement of a spouse or yourself, or a significant change in the health
- Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Insomnia Sleep Disorder
- Phase of Life Problems: Examples include re-entering the job market or going back to school, getting married, adjusting to an "empty nest," retirement of a spouse or yourself, or a significant change in the health of a loved one or yourself.
- Religious or Spiritual Problems: Loss or questioning of faith, questioning or identifying spiritual values related or unrelated to religion, or church hurt.
Additional Specialties
Anger Management
Addiction & Recovery
Anger Management
Anger is often viewed as a bad emotion. But emotions are neither good nor bad; they just are.
Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not easy.
Aristotle
What's Good About Anger?
I use an evidence-based anger ma
Anger is often viewed as a bad emotion. But emotions are neither good nor bad; they just are.
Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not easy.
Aristotle
What's Good About Anger?
I use an evidence-based anger management approach called What's Good About Anger to help you transform aggression into assertiveness, change problem-causing behaviors into a problem-solving mindset, turn self-centered thinking into empathy, and learn conflict-resolution skills. Move from internalized and externalized resentment toward yourself and others to forgiveness and appreciation.
Anger is usually depicted as a volcanic eruption. But anger can also be internalized and stuffed down deep inside.
If you're tired of the anger and its impact on you and your relationships and are ready for a change, call me so we can talk about it.
Grief Recovery
Addiction & Recovery
Anger Management
Grief is a complicated emotion. There are often conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in relationships or circumstances. I know that's surprising. Think about the death of a beloved relative who suffered a long and dreadful illness. The pain of no longer being able to see, touch, or speak with them is mixed with a feelin
Grief is a complicated emotion. There are often conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in relationships or circumstances. I know that's surprising. Think about the death of a beloved relative who suffered a long and dreadful illness. The pain of no longer being able to see, touch, or speak with them is mixed with a feeling of relief that they are no longer in pain.
Another example may be experiencing joy over a well-earned promotion mixed with losing a well-loved home and community because the position requires moving to another state.
Grief may occur over many things, including the death of a pet, graduation, an empty nest, retirement, major health issues, losing a job, or even the end of an addiction.
Grief Recovery does not mean that you stop grieving. It means enjoying happy memories without provoking painful regret or remorse. Recovery is knowing that it is perfectly understandable to be sad sometimes, even if those around you feel uncomfortable with your emotions. Recovery is forgiving those who lack the resources to say or do the "right thing" in the presence of your grief.
Grief and loss work takes willingness and courage. If you believe you are ready, call me to discuss it.
Addiction & Recovery
Addiction & Recovery
Addiction & Recovery
My addiction counseling services can help you overcome substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. I use various evidence-based techniques based on CBT, MI, ACT, 12-Step Facilitation, and proven Relapse Prevention techniques to help you develop coping skills, build a support network, and achieve lasting recovery. I also provide support
My addiction counseling services can help you overcome substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. I use various evidence-based techniques based on CBT, MI, ACT, 12-Step Facilitation, and proven Relapse Prevention techniques to help you develop coping skills, build a support network, and achieve lasting recovery. I also provide support for family members affected by addiction.
Substance Use
Have you been trying to control or quit drinking or using other substances without success? Have you had brief times of abstinence followed by lapses back into the same old behaviors? If you answered yes, I would like to help you break free. There are many paths to recovery from Substance Use Disorder. Let's explore your options together.
Process Addictions
Process addictions will often co-occur with a SUD or replace the substance of choice in early recovery. Common process addictions include gambling, food, shopping, and sex or relationship addiction.
Nicotine Cessation