Welcome to Restoration Counseling
The vision of Restoration Counseling Services is to treat the mind, body, and spirit. We feel that healing should also bring restoration. The process of restoration brings new depth to the counseling process. Everyone goes through difficult times. We acknowledge that asking for help is a huge step. We feel it is very important to provide a judgment-free and comfortable space to grow and thrive in. We value each person that chooses Restoration Counseling Services as their safe place. It is an honor to work with you.
Restoration Counseling Services provides counseling to individuals(above the age of thirteen), We also refer to other providers, as needed, based on the needs of the client. We accept a variety of insurances. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call our office at (256) 735-8152.
Sherry Brown LICSW
Sherry Brown has a Bachelors’s degree in Psychology and Behavioral Science from Athens State University. She also has a Master’s degree in Social Work from A&M University in Huntsville, AL, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Private Practitioner License (PIP). She is additionally trained in EMDR therapy, for more information please visit www.emdr.com.
Sherry spent many years as an LPN, working several years with Dr. Tom Montgomery and Dr. Lisa Franklin. She began working in mental health as a Crisis Intake Specialist with Marshall Medical Center North and Cullman Mental Health Center. Sherry provides counseling to individuals, couples, and families for a variety of concerns such as trauma, grief, women’s issues, substance abuse treatment, as well as depression and anxiety treatment.
Outside the office, Sherry has a love for photography and nature. She enjoys time with her family and her camera.
Candace Guthery
As a Social Worker for over 20 years, Candace has been fortunate to utilize her professional skills and her faith to guide people toward hope and healing. Life transitions, difficult or traumatic circumstances and times of uncertainty can create a need for specialized care. Candace is passionate about assisting pre-teens, teens, and adults throughout the life span. She also works with families and couples toward healthy relationships, reconciliation with compassion, and therapeutic excellence.
Candace is EMDR trained for trauma and has extensive experience assisting with grief and loss therapy. She also has received Gottman Institute training in Marriage Therapy. Candace attended Lee University and received her Bachelor of Sociology degree. She then attended the University of Alabama where she received her Master of Social Work degree. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and is certified for Private Independent Practice (PIP).
Candace’s contact number for established clients only is 256-615-2474, new clients will call our main office number.
Susan Evans Goggins
Susan Evans Goggins is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with over 25 years of experience as a therapist. She is also certified as a Private Independent Practitioner (PIP). Susan is committed to helping clients heal and find a path forward from challenging life events.
Susan has worked in a variety of mental health and trauma informed environments. She served as the Executive Director of the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center from 2010 to 2021. She also served as the Adult Program Director for the local mental health center and as a therapist for Alabama Psychiatric Services in Cullman. Susan graduated from Athens State University with a B.S. in Psychology. She attended graduate school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she earned the Master of Social Work degree.
Susan specializes in providing trauma informed treatment to children and adults of all ages. She received national certification as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provider. She provides evidence-based treatment for variety of issues including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and relationship issues.
Grace Gilbert LICSW
Grace Gilbert has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Alabama. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and has a multifaceted work experience.
Grace has worked in the court system, foster care system, and mental health system since 2017. Grace provides therapy for teenagers (14+) and adults for a variety of concerns such as trauma, self harm, anxiety, and depression, as well as, neurodivergent behavior modification through cognitive behavioral therapy. Grace does provide faith-based therapy upon request.
“I use evidence-based practices for all therapy modalities, which means you can be confident the methods that are being recommended in therapy are clinically tested and have shown positive results. Not every intervention will work for each individual, and I will work with you to find the right fit for your needs. I use a strengths-based approach to therapy, always building on your personal skill set to help you achieve your personal goals. If you are looking to gain a deeper understanding of personal issues, past or present, or looking to improve your current coping skills for life, reach out and I’ll be happy to explain my process for therapy and answer any questions.”
Outside of the office, Grace enjoys reading, painting, and using humor to deal with everyday life. Grace loves spending time with her family and fur babies, with excessive pictures of pets upon request.
Stacy Denney
Office Manager
Stacy graduated in 2005 with BBA from Athens State University. She worked with Cullman Regional Medical Center for several years before coming to Restoration Counseling Services in 2015. She enjoys talking with clients, as the initial contact and helping them feel comfortable as they enter the counseling process She is happy to answer any questions you may have about the process and will verify/review insurance information throughout the scheduling process.
During her free time she enjoys being with her family and friends. She loves a good book and a cup of coffee. She believes that smiles are free and were meant to be given often!
Some Conditions We Counsel
Depression
Depression is the common cold of mental disorders — most people will be affected by depression in their lives either directly or indirectly, through a friend or family member. Confusion about depression is common; and what makes it different from just feeling down. There is also confusion surrounding the many types of depression (e.g., unipolar depression, biological depression, manic depression, seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia, etc.) are some that people may experience. There have been so many terms used to describe this set of feelings we’ve all felt at one time or another in our lives, and to one degree or another.
Depression is characterized by a number of common symptoms. These include a persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood, and feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. A person who is depressed also often has feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness. They no longer take interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed; this may include things like going out with friends or even sex. Insomnia, early-morning awakening and oversleeping are all common. Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain may be symptoms of depression in some people. Many others experience decreased energy, fatigue, and a constant feeling of being “slowed down.” Thoughts of death or suicide are not uncommon in those suffering from severe depression. Restlessness and irritability among those who have depression is common. A person who is depressed also has difficulty concentrating, remembering, and trouble making decisions. And sometimes, persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to traditional treatments — such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain — may be signs of a depressive illness.
Anxiety
Top 5 Signs You May Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1. Anxiety significantly interferes with your life
Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of being human that is related to survival and fear. However, when this regularly interferes with your ability to complete daily tasks and have a satisfying life. It can be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
2. You worry about a wide range of things
Again, everyone has some worry that is a normal part of living. Some people have a few major things that they worry about, and others have more short-term worries about current events and anticipation. If you worry very often and about a wide range of things that sometimes can feel limitless, then it can be a sign of GAD.
3. You are rarely able to control your anxiety
For many people, worrying and anxiety can take them over for shorter durations and are relieved when stressors relax. Other times they find ways to cope that can make living more tolerable and enjoyable. However, some people have significant difficulty controlling their anxiety even with the best coping strategies at hand. If this is true for you, it may be a sign of GAD.
4. Anxiety is out of proportion to stressors
A key feature of anxiety disorders is that anxiety is often out of proportion to the stressor. If the stressor really only has mild consequences for a person but they react anxiously in a way that is as if it has enormous consequences, then this would be a disproportionate response. If this happens regularly, it may be a sign of GAD.
5. You have other symptoms
During periods of stress, many people have physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension. However, some people exist in chronic states of these, develop digestive problems, have difficulty sleeping, have weight change, or a variety of other more unique issues. Having physical symptoms that are persistent can be a sign of GAD.
If a combination of these sounds like you, then it could be important to find someone to help with treatment.
Grief and Loss Issues
Grief counseling is available to help individuals and families work through the feelings, thoughts and memories associated with the loss of a loved one or any other major life changes that a person perceives as a loss.
Anger Management
What is anger? According to the American Psychological Association1, “Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion.” However, when it gets out of control it can become destructive. Uncontrollable anger can lead to serious problems at work and in personal relationships and may undermine the individual’s overall quality of life. Anger is not just a mental state of mind. It triggers an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Anger has survival benefits and forms part of our fight or flight brain response to a perceived threat or harm. When a human or animal decides to take action to stop or confront a threat, anger usually becomes the predominant feeling and takes over our behavior, cognition, and physiology. In many cases, humans and other animals express anger by making loud sounds, baring teeth, staring, and adopting postures as a warning to perceived aggressors to stop their threatening behaviors. It is unusual for a physical attack to occur without these signs of anger appearing first. If a stranger approaches a litter of newborn puppy-dogs, the mother will most likely growl, bare her teeth and adopt a defensive or ready-to-attack posture, rather than silently attack without any warning. If you trespass into the private land of a farmer in a remote area, his approach may be similar; his voice will be hostile, as may his body language, and posture. Instinctively, anger may surge in humans and other animals to protect territory, offspring and family members, secure mating privileges, prevent loss of possessions or food, and many other perceived threats. The Mental Health Foundation2, a UK charity, says that anger is one of the most basic human emotions. Experts say anger is a primary, natural emotion with functional survival value, which we all experience from time to time. The raised heart rate, blood pressure, and release of hormones prepare us physically for remedial action – which is either to fight or run away at top speed (fight or flight).
Marital
Marital counseling is offered to improve marital communication, coping with painful situations impacting the marriage, handling stresses together, and learning to pull together instead of apart. The counselor uses material from book Love and Respect by Emerson Epperich.
Trauma- EMDR
– Eye Movement Desezitation Reprocessing therapy
No one really knows any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes “frozen in time.” and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed. So, following a successful EDMR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
What kinds of problems can EMDR treat?
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post-traumatic stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions:
- Personality disorders
- Panic attacks
- Complicated grief
- Dissociative disorders
- Disturbing memories
- Phobias
- Body dysmorphic disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Performance anxiety
- Stress reduction
- Addictions
- Sexual and/or physical abuse
- Pain disorders
Christian Counseling
For those desiring Christian counseling, this is an available service, upon request, where beliefs are respected and services draw upon psychology as well as Christian teaching. Counselors do not project their beliefs onto individuals but allow them self determination in making their own spiritual and life decisions.
Parenting
Parenting may be the most difficult job, and the most important responsibility, you will ever have in your life. Unfortunately, you probably did not receive any training regarding this important task and are likely to receive much criticism if you do blunder along the way. Generally speaking, most people’s parenting skills are gained from what we ourselves learned as children from our own parents. We either strive to do as they did or try to do the exact opposite, depending on our own individual experiences. Parents are faced with many challenges regarding their children. Some challenges are easier than others. Some you may know how to deal with and some you may not.
Counseling in this area can assist you in doing the best job you can by providing you with additional skills, improve your confidence in your parenting ability, and strengthen your relationship with your child.
Low Self-Esteem
If you have been bullied, or just have a tendency to think negative thoughts about yourself, you may need some help increasing your self-esteem. Counseling is a way to rewire the way you talk to yourself and start to focus on positive things. Let’s work to build the strongest you possible.
Life Changes
Many things such as moving to a new place, getting married, accepting a new job, or having a baby are very exciting times, but any change can yield some stress and turmoil. Going through a major life change is often a good reason to seek counseling. Change may also be sad, such as divorce or an adjustment of some kind, in which we need help getting back on track.
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Fax: (888)-255-4996
Resources
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