Healing Inside and Out: The Profound Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
Alyssa Woolslair, LMHC
“Inspiring Adults and Couples to Create Positive Changes so They Can Live Healthier, Happier, and More Fulfilled Lives.”
If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, anxious, or just not yourself, you know how uncomfortable and stressful it can be. Many people struggle with these types of challenges at various life stages and it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
Sometimes people feel like they have to keep it all inside or hope that the struggles will eventually pass, but that only makes it worse. If you’re struggling yourself or struggling within your relationship, you are not alone and things can get better. Reaching out for help with counseling is one of the strongest and most courageous things you can do.
Allowing yourself to open up and explore your challenges on a deeper level will invite the process of healing and positive change to begin. My goal is to help you, or your relationship create these positive changes so you can move towards a happier, more fulfilled life.
Learn More About How I Help Adults & Couples
Live Their Best Lives...
My Counseling Services in Plantation, FL
Counseling for Adults With Anxiety, Depression, or Low Self-Esteem:
Feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge, and thinking the worst are common symptoms of individuals with anxiety. Being aware of the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is important in understanding how to manage these symptoms. My goal is to help you learn and regularly implement coping skills to manage this anxiety and increase fulfillment.
Lacking motivation and losing interest in things and relationships you once enjoyed can be strong signs of depression. Depressive symptoms can come in waves or can feel constant. In both cases, actively working to reframe your thoughts can help you feel less consumed by this depression. Counseling sessions help to provide a safe space to explore and navigate these feelings and increase hope for your future.
Lacking self-esteem and self-worth can significantly impact how you live your life and how you interact with others. The way one feels about themselves often reflects in their behaviors and relationships with loved ones. Acknowledging your low self-esteem, poor body image, or lack of confidence is the first step in reframing these thoughts and building yourself back up. Learning to love yourself will help to improve many aspects of life and counseling sessions will assist you in implementing this change.
Counseling for Adults in Recovery:
Individuals in recovery can benefit greatly from continued counseling following addiction treatment. Once a sober foundation is formed, the opportunity to explore deeper issues presents itself. Doing so can prevent relapse and increase your relationship with self and others.
My experience working in addiction treatment centers helps to provide an environment that is safe for those in recovery who want to continue to work on implementing healthy change in their lives.
Couples Counseling & Marriage Counseling:
Addressing issues and not giving up on your relationship when problems and conflict arise is a great sign of commitment and love. Couples counseling helps to address the core issue, explore the importance of trust and communication, and work to reignite the fading flame within your relationship. Having a third, unbiased party to help you identify and explore issues often helps couples shift their perspective and increase their want for change.
I utilize many components of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy approach when working with couples. I have received training in Level 1 and Level 2 of this research-based approach which aims to help couples learn how to manage conflict, improve communication, enhance friendship, and create shared meaning within their relationship. This approach provides guidance to better understand one another in a relationship, which in turn decreases dysfunction and helps to restore affection, understanding, intimacy, humor, and sense of adventure.
My Story
From a young age, I was always the “go to person” in my friend group when it came to needing advice or needing a listening ear. Being there for others was always something I valued and always a part of who I was.
When I entered college, I was unsure of where my future was headed. The more I worked on my psychology degree the clearer it became that counseling was the path for me. The idea that I could be truly passionate about my career path was something I always wanted and finally something I was able to experience.
My experience during and after grad school helped me be more than just a listening ear and taught me the true art and technique of being able to guide others in a healthier direction. Working with people at their lowest point and seeing them change and find happiness brought me my own happiness. Counseling is something I truly believe in and helping others will always be a strong part of who I am as a person.
My Background in Counseling & Psychology
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Florida. I then moved a bit south and received my Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida. I took additional courses to qualify to be licensed as a mental health counselor. Having both a degree in marriage, couple, and family therapy, and a license in mental health counseling allows me to help a broader population of people.
Following my Master’s degree, I started working as a primary therapist in addiction treatment. I have spent the last six years working in multiple treatment centers helping individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.
Substance use is often an unhealthy coping mechanism to deal with anxiety, depression, trauma, and underlying issues. My work in addiction has helped me to have experience with just about every struggle under the sun. Working with partners and families of those struggling with addiction allowed me to utilize my skills from both my degree and my clinical license.
In 2021, I opened my own practice called Through The Lens Counseling, LLC. Founding this practice has allowed me to continue helping those who struggle with addiction, while also widening the scope of those I help. My goal is to assist adults and couples explore their life through a different and more positive lens so they can live happier, more fulfilled lives.
Just For Fun
My passion for helping others is a huge part of who I am, but it doesn’t stop there!
My friends and family are a huge part of my life. Whether it’s traveling, or just hanging with good company, much of my time spent outside of the office is with those I love. I thrive on good energy and good laughs, and I surround myself with those who enjoy the same.
Although I went to both UF and UCF, I am a true Florida Gator at heart. I grew up in a Gator household, with both my parents and older brother also attending the University of Florida. We pride ourselves on “bleeding orange and blue.” I grew up attending Gator games in the swamp and go back at least once a year for a game with my family.
As I mentioned above, I thrive on good laughs. I’m a sucker for a good comedy show! My favorite weekends are those spent at the Dania Improv Comedy Club and highly suggest this for anyone in need of a good laugh.
Why Work With Me In Therapy?
Feeling safe and comfortable is the first step in allowing yourself to open up with a professional. Being down to earth, personable, and empathetic are my biggest priorities as sessions start, so that trust and comfortability can be established.
Forming this healthy relationship allows me to be both understanding and direct. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my sessions to help guide those in understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Reframing your thoughts and understanding how that can impact how you feel and behave can yield great results with positive change. Not everyone’s needs and struggles are the same and I mold my interventions and styles to best fit my client’s needs.
I am currently accepting new clients and am happy to offer a complimentary phone consultation to discuss options and plans moving forward. Since I work with a lot of professionals, I offer flexible hours with evening appointments available for your convenience.
Begin Your Journey of Exploring Life
Through a Different Lens!
I am located at the beautiful, new Bayview Therapy Plantation office for in-person sessions and offer online video sessions for adults and couples throughout the state of Florida. Our Plantation office is located in the Bank of America building on the corner of North Pine Island Road and Sunrise Boulevard.
I encourage you to take the first step to implementing healthy growth and change into your life! I invite you to give me a call at (954) 391-5305 to schedule your complimentary phone consultation so we can chat about how I can help you and your loved ones.
I look forward to speaking with you!