Stop Just Surviving. Start Feeling Like Yourself Again.
Anxiety, past trauma, depression, stress, and major life changes can make everyday life feel heavier than it should. Individual counseling can help you slow things down, understand what is happening, and start moving forward with more clarity and confidence.
In-person sessions are available in Lake Charles, with online counseling throughout Louisiana and Texas.
What You Might Be Experiencing
You've been trying to handle everything on your own, but it's not working anymore. People reach out for therapy for all kinds of reasons, and yours might feel completely unique. Here are some of the struggles I help people work through:
Anxiety that won't let up
Maybe anxiety keeps you up at night, makes your mind race, or leaves you feeling on edge all the time. You've tried to calm down, but it keeps coming back.Depression that makes everything harder
Even the basics feel heavier than they should. You're going through the motions, but nothing feels good anymore.Past trauma that's still affecting you
Whether it's childhood experiences, abuse, neglect, or something more recent, trauma doesn't just go away on its own. It shows up in your relationships, your anxiety, and how you see yourself.Patterns you can't seem to break
Maybe you keep ending up in the same relationship dynamics, sabotaging good things, or reacting in ways you don't like. You want to change, but you're not sure how.Major life transitions
Career changes, divorce, loss, or other big shifts can leave you feeling lost. You're dealing with grief, uncertainty, and stress, and you need help finding your footing again.Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to figure it out alone. These struggles might feel isolating, but they're more common than you think, and more importantly, they're workable.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Let's sit down, build a plan that works for you, and take the next step.
How Individual Counseling Works
Healing isn't complicated, but it does take a clear plan.
Here’s how we’ll work together:
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We'll start by slowing things down and identifying what's underneath all that stress, anxiety, or overwhelm. This isn't just about listing symptoms. It's about understanding the root causes. Whether it's past trauma, unprocessed grief, or patterns you learned growing up, we'll get clear on what's driving how you feel right now.
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Once we understand what's going on, we'll start building practical coping skills you can use in real life. This might include grounding techniques for anxiety, trauma processing through EMDR, or cognitive strategies to challenge unhelpful thought patterns. You'll leave each session with something you can actually use between appointments.
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Real healing isn't just about managing symptoms. It's about creating a life that feels good to live. We'll work on building routines, strengthening relationships, and identifying what actually brings you fulfillment. The goal is freedom, not just coping.
Whatever brought you here, you're in the right place.
People reach out for therapy for all kinds of reasons, and yours might feel completely unique. Maybe anxiety has taken over your thoughts and you can't seem to find peace. Maybe depression is making even the basics feel heavier than they should. You might be navigating major life changes like a career shift, divorce, or loss and unsure how to move forward. Or maybe past trauma is still shaping how you show up in relationships or day-to-day life. For some, it’s about sexual behaviors that feel out of control, with no clear understanding of why it keeps happening. Whatever you're carrying, you don’t have to figure it out alone. These struggles might feel isolating, but they’re more common than you think—and more importantly, they’re workable. Together, we’ll slow things down, untangle what’s going on beneath the surface, and build a path forward that fits your life.
Why Work With Me?
I’m not the kind of therapist who just listens quietly and sends you on your way. I’ll hold space for what you’re carrying, but I’ll also give you honest feedback and practical tools you can use between sessions. You’ll leave feeling heard and supported, but also with clear next steps.
Healing happens when you feel safe enough to be real about what’s going on. That’s why we won’t only focus on what’s not working. We’ll also talk about where you want your life to go and what actually matters to you.
Clients often tell me they begin to see themselves differently after we work together. They feel more grounded, more confident, and more equipped to handle what life brings.
What to Expect in Your First Session
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, so here's what the process actually looks like:
Before we meet: You'll fill out a brief, confidential screening form so I have some context about what you're dealing with. Then we'll schedule a phone consultation to make sure we're a good fit.
In your first session: We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to work on, and what's been going on in your life. This is also where I'll explain how therapy works, answer any questions you have, and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward.
Confidentiality: Everything we discuss is confidential and protected by law (HIPAA). What you share stays between us.
Moving forward: We'll typically meet weekly or biweekly, depending on what works best for you. Some people need a few months of support. Others work with me for a year or more. It depends on what you're dealing with and what your goals are.
When You’re Ready, I’m Here
Therapy is a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out, and let’s talk about what’s next.
Your Questions Answered
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If you're reading this page, you're probably already feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like something needs to change. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If life feels harder than it should, therapy can help.
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The first session is about getting to know you and understanding what brought you in. We'll talk about your goals, what's been weighing on you, and what you're hoping to change. I'll also explain how we'll work together and answer any questions you have. There's no pressure. It's a chance to see if we're a good fit.
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It depends on your goals and what you're working on. Some people see noticeable progress within a few months, while deeper work (like trauma processing or long-standing patterns) may take longer. We'll check in regularly to assess progress and adjust as needed. You're never locked in. Therapy moves at your pace.
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That's actually pretty common. Sometimes the approach wasn't right, or the therapist wasn't specialized in what you were dealing with. I use evidence-based methods like EMDR and trauma-informed therapy tailored to your specific needs. If past therapy felt like just "venting without progress," we'll make sure this time is different.
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Woods Counseling Services is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly.
Brent Woods, MA, LPC-S, CSAT: Individual sessions are $150 for 60 minutes.
Royce Charles, MA, PLPC: Individual sessions are $100 for 60 minutes.
If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, we can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed.
Reduced-fee options may also be available based on financial circumstances and current availability.