Onstead Counseling Services

11/14/2025

10/30/2025

10/23/2020

Here is an enlightening video of how so often those we love don't hear our needs in a healthy way when we're seeking support. Although it highlights a mother/son relationship, it can happen with any relationship. A wonderful example of how important it is to set healthy boundaries, and to protect ourselves from further harm. All comments welcome.

Hello! Role plays are a big part of my therapy practice. Sometimes I'll have clients parent their innner children with empty chair work or I'll have them pra...

03/21/2020

UPDATE FOR CLIENTS:

It has been an unexpected week, in terms of closures and warnings, as we all try to do our best to stay healthy. Please do your part, each of you, to follow recommendations and remain at home as much as possible.

I am happy to share that most (and likely soon, all) insurance companies are now willing to cover both telephone therapy and video therapy - both called "telehealth" - at least for a 90-day period, in an effort to provide service during the coronavirus crisis. I am now prepared to do both! In-person sessions remain available AT YOUR DISCRETION as long as you feel healthy, since Governor Wolf has determined that mental health practices may remain open. However, please contact me to make different arrangements if you would like to receive treatment by telephone or video. The process is quite simple. IF we are asked to shelter-in-place at some point, telephone and video will be the only thing I can offer clients.

Finally...let's all try to breathe, knowing the limitations on our lives will be temporary. Spend time with your families, call your friends, and slow down life a little. Ask others for help if you need it. We can only get through this by leaning on each other.

03/17/2020

A message to all clients:

The office will remain open for all clients who feel comfortable keeping in-person appointments at the present time. However, the cancellation policy is flexible, and those who feel illness symptoms or are not certain about leaving home for treatment should certainly cancel their appointment.

Meanwhile, please be assured the office will be kept very clean, and there will be no crowds. Given we don't know what the future holds in terms of possible further restrictions, I am researching the process necessary to provide online video sessions (teletherapy), if needed. I am also looking at whether insurers will reimburse this type of treatment. It does not appear likely that telephone therapy sessions will be covered by insurance, although I am checking into it as well. If you are in crisis and cannot be here in person, and teletherapy is not an option, I am available for brief phone calls in an effort to provide support and referral, if needed. There will be no charge for these calls.

Please do your best to stay healthy, and remember to practice PHYSICAL distancing while staying SOCIALLY CONNECTED! We can only get through this together.

12/24/2019

Author who says she has spent much of her life alone shares her advice on how to enjoy the holidays if you're on your own.

08/04/2019

Excellent. My thoughts exactly!

Whether you're divorced or not, this is something every parent should read.