Orlando Counseling Specialists

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas fast approaching, I am sure you can relate to some of the feelings I am  experiencing.  For example, when “Black Friday” was advertised all over the place, I thought, “Who can get excited about shopping in this economy?  I sure don’t have the money.”  I know that I am not alone.  Many are expereincing what is called  “Recession Depression”.   The recession has magnified such feeling as despair, depression, anxiety, and sadness.  As a licensed mental health counselor, I am finding that the number of people who are experiencing anxiety and panic attacks as well as physical illness related to stress is very high, and most are a consequence of the unpredictability of our economy. 

This is more serious than one might think, as Anxiety Disorders have more physical consequences than any other mood disorder.  It is very important that we pay close attention to the symptoms we have as well as what might be going on with a friend or family member.  Be proactive about getting the help that you  need if you are feeling sad, depressed, or overwhelmed. 

Some of the symptoms of general anxiety include:  restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance.  Panic Attack are also common when an individual is overwhelmed and experiencing increased stress.  Symptoms include: palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of sharotness of breath or smothering, chest pain, feeling dizzy, and fear of losing control.

Though medication can help to treat anxiety, a good therapist can help provide you with the tools that you need to manage your emotions and work through the issues that are creating your anxiety. With our economy being so unpredictible, I do not think things are going to change any time soon.  But you can learn how to manage your emotions in these trying times and be equipped for whatever else you mihg face in the furture.

Orlando Counseling Specialist and Nancy A. Johnson, M.A., LMHC has made the move to East Orlando/Avalon Park.  East Orlando is a growing community with many families who have a variety of needs.  I am excited to serve the community through my counseling services.  I have a variety of clients, from young to old, who struggle with a variety of issues.  I specialize in working with children, adolescents, teens and family therapy, which is a great need in our community.  There is also a great need to encourage and equip parents of adolescents and teens with the tools to know how best to set healthy boundaries with their children and to build respect and reesponsibility into their lives.  I work on a very affordable sliding scale as the economy has affected everyone, and it is my desire to be available to serve this community in any way that I can. 

I recenty had the opportunity to do some counseling and consulting in the work place of a farily large company, and it was a wonderful experience for me.  With so many companies having to reduce their work force, many emotional and practical issues surface in the lives of employees and managers.  Not only do those who loose their jobs need support, but the survivors are affected deeply as well. and may need someone to talk to. Change is difficult and with loss comes grief, and the need for a safe place to process  feelings, in order to move forward. I would love to come alongside more companies to provide support, encouragement through consulting and counseling, whether it be through an Employment Assistance Program (EAP) or my private practice.  The economy causes us to think twice about spending money, which often prevents us from making good choices that will keep us healthy, emotionally and physically.  I was personally reminded of this very thing early last month when I landed in the hosptial for a physical issue that came as a result of not taking good care of myself.  The words that rung loudest in my ears were, “Nancy, you are a counselor…you should know better.”  Yes! I am only effective to the degree that I am healthy.  If we don’t take good care of ourselves, we will miss out in the opportunity to further our careers and help those whom we work with and serve.  My experience has reminded me that I cannot help others if I do not take care of myself first.  How about you? Stay well, Nancy 

I am a qualified supervisor in the State of Florida, which qualifies me to supervise new Master’s level graduates and Registered Mental Health Counselors who are working toward licensure in the State of Florida.  A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern is required to have one hour of supervision per 15 contact hours or one hour every two weeks.  My fees are very reasonable and I love working with interns.My Fees

•  $75 per one hour session
• $40.00 per person for a one hour group session (3 counselors in a group).

Orlando Counseling Specialists is looking to rent out one of our four offices in Winter Park, FL.  We have a store front office in a great location.  We are looking to fill an office with someone in the counseling field or someone who has a speciality that would work well with the counseling field.  We currently have three LMHC and four registered interns.  Call if you are interested.  407.339.5504

Strong Interest Inventory

For qualified career interest assessment, Orlando Counseling Specialists now offers the Strong Interest Inventory Assessment.  This popular test helps guide you towards a more rewarding career that fits your interests.  Learn the top 10 occupations that compliment your personality and desires.  Discover different tasks, skills and abilities required for success associated with various occupations.  Now is the time to discover what type of work is best for you.  Call us at Orlando Counseling Specialists to schedule an appointment with one of our career development specialists. Don’t waste time staying in a job you hate.  Find job security in doing what you love and are designed for!

FIRO-B, CPI-260, CPI-434

Are you looking for help with managing, leadership, and improving your work performance?  Orlando Counseling Specialists now offers the FIRO-B and CPI-260 assessments to help you and your organization grow and improve.  This assessment offers practical, down-to-earth insights for training and development as a professional in a range of business and organizational contexts.  The CPI-434 (The California Psychological Inventory) instrument provides a complex yet highly accurate portrait of an individual’s professional and personal style.  If you are looking to create a more efficient and productive business by building leadership competencies and productive teamwork, call us at Orlando Counseling Specialists and make an appointment with our Career Development Specialists to discover what you can do for your business or organization.  Sometimes it takes a little outside help to learn where you and your organization can grow and improve productivity and become more efficient.  

Orlando Counseling Specialists is a Family Counseling Center offering a variety of counseling services to those in the Central Florida area.  We currently have job opportunities available for experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Registered Mental Health Interns. 

We are looking for an experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who is looking for an office space to rent or desires to be apart of our growing practice in Winter Park, Florida.  We are interested in hiring someone who has somewhat of a client load already, who would enjoy being apart of our team. 

We also offer a wonderful opportunity for Registered Mental Health Counseling Interns who desire to be part of an exciting growing counseling center.

Orlando Counseling Specialists is involved in a variety of counseling services, such as drug testing and drug counseling and career assessments and career counseling.  We offer a variety of assessments, such as the Myers-Briggs temperament profile as well as the Strong’s Interest Inventory among others.  One of our specialties is working with children, adolescents, teens and families.  We have a unique style of working with children, adolescent and teens, which includes working with the family as a whole unit.  We have seen optimal results when we can work with parents and other family members toward the health and well-being of everyone.  This is a great place to gain experience in a variety of counseling services.  We have a flexible philosophy which includes training, supervision as we prepare and encourage our Interns to develop their own private practices through the unique opportunity we offer. 

Please call for an appointment:

Ask for Nancy A. Johnson, M.A., LMHC, P.A

Orlando Counseling Specialists now offers on-line psychological assessmenttests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Strong Interest Inventoryand much more.  If you are looking for career direction, want to improveyour leadership potential, want to optimize your organization’s culture orare interested in exploring personal growth and potential, we have theassessment test for you.  And…you can do it in the comfort of your ownhome at a convenient time.  All of our psychological tests are madeavailable to all ages including children.Our counselors are trained and skilled in interpreting psychologicalassessment testing and can help you find better direction for your life.Once you take our test on-line you will meet with a qualified counselor tohelp you analyze the results.  Our favorite assessment is the Myers-BriggsType Indicator which is the most widely used psychological test of its kind.It is one of the most popular tools for promoting a better understanding andcommunication in personal, professional and organizational settings.  Contact any of our professional counselors and we will be happy to recommendthe best psychological assessment for your needs and will conduct a personalconsultation.

Well, sort of.  Wanted to officially say Orlando Counseling Specialists have moved from our Casselberry office to a wonderful, larger office in Winter Park.  With our larger space we have added a few other exciting features.  We have four new counselors.  Hopefully they will blog soon so you can meet them.  We also have started drug testing for our clients and the community.  And we have added some new specialities.  We will start psychological testing.  One of our new counselors specializes in career counseling so she will be bringing with her a host of testing tools that will bring a whole new dimension to the practice. We are so excited about the new faces and the new skills that we have in the office.  We look forward to see how we can serve the community and all that the future holds for Orlando Counseling Specialists as we serve children, adolescents, families, individuals, and couples.

We at Orlando Counseling Specialists, Orlando’s resource for family counseling, is now offering drug testing.  We are now certified to administer 11 panel drug screens to the our clients and the community.  The urine test will test for 11 different types of drugs while also having a few built in safe guards.  There is one panel with three different adulterant tests, which indicates if the collection was adulterated or not.  There is also a temperature panel that adds one more safe guard.  And the best part is that you will get your results in less than 5 MINUTES. Home tests range from $30 to $40 dollars.  We offer the service of performing the test and evaluating the results for only $30.  This product is by far one of the most advanced on-site drug screening product out there.  The product along with the service is one more way we at Orlando Counseling Specialists can help our community.