ALW Counseling and Coaching

11/05/2025

Coming in January 2026...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

For those that struggle with insomnia, there is hope! CBT-I is a highly structured, evidenced based, and highly effective treatment for insomnia.

Our executive director, Kristina Paape, LCSW, recently completed the basic level training at the University of Pennsylvania Pearlman School of Medicine. Kristina will be under the supervision of experts in CBT-I and will be pursuing advanced level training in the future.

Research has shown that CBT-I can help improve depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. Better quality sleep=better overall mental health.

What would you do to get a good night sleep? CBT-I is a game changer for those that struggle with insomnia.

10/24/2024

Open enrollment is here! Meet with a SHINE counselor today. The Senior Friendship Centers is an amazing asset to our community.

🗓 Mark your calendar! Medicare open enrollment information event at Senior Friendship Centers Venice Activity Center!

⏰ WHEN? Monday, November 18 at 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

📍WHERE? 2350 Scenic Drive, Venice, FL 34293

⚠️ Meet with a SHINE Counselor IN PERSON!

Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida

10/08/2024

Hello. Our office is closed Tuesday 10/08, Wed 10/9, Thursday 10/10 and Friday 10/11 due to weather impacts from Hurricane Milton. We anticipate reopening on Monday 10/14/2024.

Please be advised if there are major impacts to our area including power outages, flooding, etc we may not be able to reopen or connect (for virtual sessions). We will reach out as soon as possible.

Please check your email and Spruce message history for any messages from our office/your provider.

Please make sure you follow local government guidance on evacuations and preparations. Stay well, take care of one another, and know we will get through this.

Warm lines are available if you feel the need to talk to someone and are not in crisis. They are a fantastic resource and a list can be found here: https://www.warmline.org

If you are in crisis please contact the crisis line by dialing 988, calling 1 800 273 8255 or you can text the word HOME to 741741.

If this is a medical or mental health emergency please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

We will return all messages when we reopen. Thank you and we look forward to connecting with you when we return. Be safe.

Visitors: 151

04/15/2023

You matter

03/21/2023

09/30/2022

Our office remains closed until Tuesday morning 10/4 so we can tend to family, friends, and get back on our feet.

Communications remain limited but our homes and offices are ok.

Our thoughts go out to our family, friends, and clients in the areas that were hardest hit.

If you need assistance please reach out to the Red Cross at 1 (800) 733-2767 or if you have internet access:

The Red Cross South Florida is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and helps people during disasters.

07/20/2022

As of July 16, 2022 the crisis hotline is accessible through dialing or texting 988.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health or substance abuse crisis the hotline is here for you. It is free, confidential, and accessible 24 hours a day.

Veterans can dial "1" to be directed to a dedicated veteran's crisis line.

Please share this so we can reach as many people as possible with this information.

04/15/2022

What a wonderful opportunity for those looking to get into healthcare.

We have some HUGE news!!! 📣 📣 📣

Pines of Sarasota is so excited to announce our partnership with Suncoast Technical College to provide our employees and soon-to-be employees with a FREE LPN program!😃 😃 😃

Our CNA program has been a huge success, and now it is time to offer our people the opportunity to gain even more education while they work at Pines! Who wouldn't want to get paid for receiving a top notch education?!

If you or someone you know is looking to take the next step towards becoming a nurse, Pines is the place for you. Don't wait on this! Registration deadlines are fast approaching!

06/08/2021

If you or someone you know is in crisis you can reach out to a Mobile Response Team.

This is a wonderful resource that provides trained professionals to respond to a mental health crisis. Not only are individuals and families better supported with this model but it takes the additional responsibility of mental health response off of law enforcement’s already full plate.

Thanks to our friends at Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for this great info.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call for a mobile response team (MRT).

The goals of MRTs are to lessen trauma; divert individuals from emergency departments, juvenile justice or criminal justice settings; and prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations. MRTs are intended to provide on-demand crisis intervention services in any setting in which a behavioral health crisis occurs, including homes, schools, and emergency departments. Mobile response services must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services are provided by a team of professionals and paraprofessionals trained in crisis intervention skills. In addition to helping resolve the crisis, MRTs work with individuals and families to identify resources and develop strategies for effectively dealing with potential future crises.

01/18/2021

Today we remember the contributions of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

10/25/2020

We generally don’t take advice from a cat (they are usually the cutest jerk faces ever) but we stand behind Simon’s cat with the following advice.

Cats are great. Therapy is even better.

😍

Today is and we wanted to share some helpful tips!