Alicia Howe, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
There is often the misconception that OCD ( Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is treated in the exact same manner as general anxiety.
I am a licensed certified professional counselor, LCPC, certified through The International OCD Foundation to treat OCD. Through this training, I was taught how to use Exposure Response Prevention Therapy to treat OCD. ERP is a type of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) shown to be the most effective in treating OCD. The training also covered other co-occurring disorders such as TICS/Tourette’s and PANS/PANDAS.
In addition to treating OCD, I have experience using CBT to treat anxiety and depression. I have worked with many families, assisting them with various family struggles. Before entering into private practice, I worked for 4 years with a not-for-profit agency specializing in the treatment of sexual abuse.
I graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 2001 from Western Illinois University. In 2005 I graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a Masters of Arts in Human Services concentrating on child and family studies.
“Every storm runs out of rain”- Maya Angelo.
I would love the opportunity to help clients learn how this applies to emotions.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT MY FIRST SESSION?
Your first session will be more of an information gathering session. The session will start first by addressing the “business” aspects of the counseling process. We will go over confidentiality. I will ask questions regarding symptoms, developmental history and family history. We will set goals based on the information collected. If you are a parent bringing your child in for counseling, the first session may only be with the parent collecting information. If you are a parent bringing in an adolescent/teen, I will spend the first portion of the session with the parent collecting information, and then the second portion of the session building rapport with your adolescent/teen.
AVAILABILITY:
My office is open Monday thru Friday. The hours vary in order to accommodate clients needing early appointments as well as those needing evening appointments.
NUMBER OF SESSIONS:
The number of sessions vary based on need. During your first session, goals will be set to assure you are getting what you need out of the counseling process.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING:
Parking is available in the front of the building. Alicia Howe Counseling shares a building with Krick Dentistry and Washington Wellness Center. You will enter the main door of the building and walk straight down the long hallway towards the green couch and painting. My office is at the end of the hall. You will see my name on the door letting you know you reached the right place!
CONFIDENTIALITY:
I take your confidentiality very seriously, and this will be discussed at your first session.
PRICE AND PAYMENT:
For those who chose not to use insurance, I offer a self pay options. Details available upon request.
ACCEPTED INSURANCE:
-Blue Cross Blue Shield-
-United Health Care-
-United Health Care CAT-
-Cigna-
-Health Alliance-
-Tricare-Select out of network-
-UMR-
-OSF Direct Access Network-
Clients will sign a credit card authorization form. Payment is due at the end of each session. Our office will help in the insurance verification process so clients know what is due at the time of their first session.
