Welcome to Resiliency Counseling Services
Life isn't always easy. Sometimes, even the strongest people among us need help to work through some of life's more challenging problems.
​
Everyone has battles to fight and hurdles to overcome at some point in their lives. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, or any other issue, please know there is hope for a better tomorrow. Whether your struggle is recent or a life-long issue, I am here to help.
​
I believe every person has the power within to overcome and manage their life's obstacles, yet we just don't always know how to access our power. I will assist you and challenge you to assess your tools, identify and utilize your strengths, and find and develop new copings skills. Our mind works vigorously to heal itself. Together we will give it the permission to process, move forward, and thrive. Together we will build upon our resiliency.
Wait, what is Resiliency?
Resiliency is the ability to overcome challenges of all kinds–trauma, tragedy, personal crises, plain ‘ole’ life problems–and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more personally powerful.
-Nan Henderson Ph D
Services
Online Therapy for Adults
At Resiliency Counseling Services, I believe no two people are the same, and I tailor my services to meet your specific needs as an individual. I utilize a trauma informed lens throughout treatment. Trauma doesn't only include life-threatening events or situations. Trauma is any event or experiences that overwhelms our mental and emotional capacity to adequately cope at that time. What constitutes as traumatic varies per person and on the developmental level of the person faced with the event/lived experience. Trauma can make you feel emotionally, mentally, and physically overwhelmed, making it difficult to cope. Trauma can also lead to repressed traumatic memories, which can then wreak havoc in other areas of your life causing symptoms found in anxiety and depressive disorders. The effects of trauma are tiring and can make anyone feel utterly alone.
​
You're not alone. As an EMDR-certified clinician, my skills allow me to help my clients ease their traumatic symptoms. Together I will teach you how to regulate your anxiety and trauma symptoms & help you gain efficacy in reducing your distress and improve your current functioning. You have lived through the worst part, the traumatic event itself. Together we will get to the other side.
​
What is EMDR?
​
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based practice used to treat trauma and help facilitate the brain's natural healing processes.
​
During a traumatic or stressful event, the brain does not process information as it normally would. Instead, information can get stuck or stored in the brain in unhelpful ways and continue to negatively affect you in your present-day life. The old stored information can be triggered in the present and can cause you to have thoughts, feelings, or bodily sensations that transport you back to the time the trauma occurred. This affects the way a person sees the world and how they relate to others.
​
EMDR uses eye movements (similar to what occurs during REM sleep) to help facilitate information processing and relieve the effects of trauma and the accompanying negative beliefs. Following a successful EMDR session, you will still remember what happened, but you will not be overwhelmed when recalling the painful memories of the incident. This allows you to access positive ways of viewing the original trauma (reprocessing) and to release the stored negative emotional reactions around it (desensitization). To learn more about EMDR, click on the video link below.
INSURANCE
​
I am paneled with Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Optum Behavioral Health, Aetna and Tricare West.
​
If I am not paneled with your insurance company, I can provide Superbills to be submitted for reimbursement.
​
RATES
Resiliency Counseling Services, rates are comparable with other therapists in Alaska. Please call to schedule an appointment to get exact rates.
​
Payment due at the time of service.
​
CANCELLATION POLICY:
​
If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 24 hours beforehand by contacting my office. Otherwise, you will be charged the $75 fee.
About
Andrea Gibson, LCSW
Hi ya'll, my name is Andrea pronounced ON-dray-uh. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and my Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Houston. I am licensed to practice psychotherapy in the states of Alaska, Washington, and Texas. I have worked with adolescents, adults, and the elderly in a variety of mental health settings since 2013 and have been in private practice since 2020.
Here's a little bit about myself. I am Mexican American first generation originally from Houston, Texas. I'm a Coast Guard spouse, a dog mom, traveler, and a foodie. I love to laugh and I love helping others find their joy. We were stationed in Alaska for almost 5 years so I understand the unique stressors that can arise when living there. I'm passionate about working with other people of color and other military spouses.
​​​​​
My Approach
​I use humor, gentle honesty, and transparency to support our work together. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and EMDR with my clients.
I strongly believe that you are the expert in your own life. I approach therapy as a partnership, where we work together to help you identify and achieve the life you want.
