Linda Royster, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, MACP; Author; Public Speaker; Teacher; Facilitator
Welcome
Beauty for Ashes Counseling, PLLC is birthed from my long-held dream of bringing therapeutic treatment to those affected by trauma. As the name indicates, my work at Beauty for Ashes Counseling, PLLC presumes that everyone has stories of harm that affect our past, present, and future. You can exchange your ashes, the debris from traumatic stories, for the beauty of a well-known, well-lived, and well-loved life.
It takes tremendous courage to (re)enter painful stories. I believe revisiting your past is a necessary step toward shaping a personally meaningful present reality and realizing future hopes. This relational interaction of past, present, and future is an integral part of how I practice as a psychotherapist. My hope, as a result of our therapeutic work, is that you will become awe-filled by your story and allow your sense of awe to transform how you relate and how you step into your future.
About Linda
I earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) degree from Mars Hill Graduate School, now known as The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, in 2011. Upon graduation, I joined The Seattle School as a Practicum Facilitator which is where I worked for two years. In my last year as a Practicum Facilitator, I joined The Allender Center and currently serve on the Curriculum and Teaching team and member of the Executive Leadership team. In this partnership, I work with leaders from across the country who desire more training on Narrative Focused Trauma Care.
My goal as a therapist is to assist you in the reclamation of psychological and emotional healing and wholeness. I aspire to provide therapy that values and respects ethnic and cultural heritage, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, abilities, religion and spiritual belief differences. Collaboratively, we will determine treatment goals and a plan tailored to your needs. As joint partners in therapy, I will treat you with respect and acceptance. Because change is seldom easy, you may experience temporary disruption or confusion as you attempt to confront uncomfortable memories, thoughts, or behaviors. In addition to my expertise, your attitude toward change and commitment will determine the degree to which you experience healing.
Concurrent with my 7 years of professional counseling experience, I have nearly 20 years of lay and academic group facilitation.
Services Offered
Individual Therapy
Our initial session will be used as a time for us to become more acclimated. At the beginning of our session, I will address any questions you may have about my Professional Disclosure Statement which includes your consent for treatment and your Counseling Intake form will be used as a guide to help clarify why you are seeking treatment. You will have the opportunity to describe the issues that you deem problematic.
Your description will help me assess the severity of your problems. Assessments are most accurate when you are able to provide a narrative context. Your story is critically important. Therefore, in subsequent sessions I will invite you to tell me about your life. Likely, over time, we will begin to see your life’s themes and patterns emerge.
Toward the end of our initial session, we will briefly review what you revealed. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about my therapeutic approach and determine if we are a good fit for each other professionally. Remember, therapy is a full-bodied experience and, often, I will ask you to give attention to what you are feeling and where.
Group Therapy
Often less expensive than individual sessions, group therapy can be a cost effective treatment for addressing your problems in a small group environment with others who have related issues. Group therapy, among many benefits, allows you the opportunity: to receive feedback from your group; to have others bear witness to your story; and to realize the impact of your style of relating.
Counseling for Families and Couples
At times, family dysfunction can feel overwhelming. With appropriate treatment, issues within the family unit can be addressed. Because the individual is part of a larger interpersonal system, I will give added attention to how transactions within the family have shaped your style of relating, personality, and behavior.
Likewise, intimate relationships can veer off course. Counseling for couples can be a helpful means of obtaining a mutually satisfying relationship. Your desire to work through problems in your relationship is a hopeful place to enter this relational work. Although it can be challenging, the end result of having worked through your issues as a couple can lead to more intimacy, trust, and pleasure.
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Your Journey of Transformation begins Here
(919) 594-5220
linda@bfacounseling.com
Beauty for Ashes Counseling, PLLC 