Addiction is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood conditions an individual can struggle with. If you're struggling with addiction, you may feel hopeless. These feelings are a normal part of the disorder, and fortunately for you, are just that-- feelings.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a neurological condition affecting a patient's ability to concentrate. ADHD is caused by a complex interplay of biological factors which, when taken together, cause a significant deficit in the brain's ability to focus and maintain concentration. 

Teens and families find many benefits when meeting with one of our skilled mental health professionals.  No matter the reason you are pursuing counseling, whether it's an academic, personal, or social concern, we are equipped to help. Our professionals have experience working with many issues facing adolescents today:

Alcohol abuse is any pattern of drinking in an individual which may be harmful to their health. While moderate amounts of alcohol consumption (defined as two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women) are common and may even confer slight health benefits, alcohol abuse occurs when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol regularly or over a short period of time. Alcohol abuse often persists despite social, professional, and legal consequences that may occur due to a person's drinking

Anger is a universal emotion, one of the commonest of human experiences. Everyone experiences feelings of anger and rage every now and then. Sometimes, however, anger gets out of control and affects the lives of those who struggle with controlling their anger, and those of the people around them. This form of anger can cause extreme amounts of distress for those afflicted, and at its worst, can come with serious consequences, such as ruined relationships and even criminal charges.

All of us feel anxious sometimes, and anxiety is a normal part of life. Anxiety runs on a continuum from everyday stress to the heightened "fight or flight" response that is activated in trauma. Our brain is a problem-finding, problem-fixing machine. Our brain's job is not to make us happy, but to keep us safe. 

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.

Behavioral issues are an inevitable part of raising children. Every child acts out now and then. Sometimes, however, misbehavior can be indicative of something more troubling. As any parent of a child with a behavioral disorder can attest, these conditions can turn raising a child into an overwhelming nightmare.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by cycles of elevated mood, known as "mania", combined with episodes of severe depression. Because of this, bipolar disorder is often referred to as "manic depression". These episodes of mania are what separates bipolar disorder from more common conditions such as major depressive disorder.

There are few things in life more rewarding than the sense of satisfaction we get from doing work that makes a difference. Adults spend, on average, almost 25% of their waking lives working, so doing work you feel is important and that you enjoy is a vital part of your emotional well-being. Finding this dream career is no easy task, though-- it seems to be more the rule than the exception to gripe and complain about one's work, and to view it as a task that must be done in order to survive, rather than one that inspires us and helps give our life its meaning.

Christian counseling, also known as biblical counseling and Christian psychology, combines your faith with the principles of psychology to improve your mental health and relationships. 

More specifically, this therapy approach uses scripture and biblical teachings to help you deal with life's challenges. And us at Overcomers Counseling have highly experienced counselors in Colorado Springs that can help guide you and encourage you.

Pain is, unfortunately, an inevitable part of life. Harmful scenarios which may potentially expose us to pain crop up in even the most seemingly safest of places, such as work or even our own homes. While most pain is temporary and gets better with rest and the opportunity to heal, sometimes pain doesn't let go. Individuals who suffer from chronic pain can go months, or even years, in a constant form of pain which persists, even despite treatment.

Codependency is a behavioral condition in which an individual forms unhealthy, emotionally destructive relationships. Codependent relationships are characterized by dysfunctional behavioral patterns wherein the codependent partner is reliant on their significant other for feelings of worth and self-esteem. Typically, in an effort to gain their significant other's approval, the codependent partner enables destructive behaviors in their significant other, such as addiction, immaturity, underachievement and even abuse.

Everyone faces distressing moments in life that test our ability to stay calm and on the right track. In order to keep a peace of mind, we often develop coping strategies that keep us from going off the rails. Coping skills, in fact, are an essential tool in maintaining good mental health-- everyone needs to cope in one way or another, and without these skills, we'd soon succumb to excess stress and break down.

When a person's mood is down, it can be difficult to realize that hope is available. This is where we come into the picture. We want you to know that simply meeting with one of our experienced depression counselors can help you find the hope which has been so elusive. Some counseling centers have you jump through hoops to get an appointment, creating more hassle than is needed. At Overcomers Counseling, we will schedule you with a person that is the best fit to address your personal concerns.

Developmental disorders are a diverse group of psychiatric conditions which originate in childhood and impair an individual's ability to function in life as an adult. Developmental disorders have many causes, both genetic and environmental, and include conditions such as autism-spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder, motor disorders, and learning disorders. 

Dissociative disorders are a series of mental health conditions characterized by feelings of disconnection from reality in the patient. Dissociative disorders, while often extremely frightening to the patient, are actually often safety measures employed by the brain as a way to protect an individual from the effects of trauma. People struggling with dissociative disorders may feel as if they are "unreal", numb, or otherwise disconnected from reality. 

Domestic violence is any form of physical abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as that between spouses or those who are cohabiting. While it is estimated that some 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetimes, domestic violence is often greatly underreported, due to the secretive nature of the abuse and its tendency to take place behind closed doors.

Drug abuse is one of the costliest and most prevalent health issues faced by society. Drugs, both legal and illegal, are unfortunately a common part of life, and most people will come face to face with the results of drugs, whether through their own use or that of someone they know. 

When California psychologist Francine Shapiro invented eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) in the late 1980s, psychiatrists and patients alike were lured by the promise of a single-session cure for post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions and phobias. While EMDR's initial splash never swelled to a tsunami, some 50,000 therapists in the U.S. currently sing its praises.

Addiction is typically thought to involve the abuse of substances, both legal and illegal. When one thinks of the word "addict", images of crack pipes, dirty syringes, and empty liquor bottles may come to mind. While these substances are all certainly addictive, there are other forms of addiction which don't fit this mold. Gambling addiction, in particular, is one of the most destructive.

Since you are searching for help, it most likely means that you or someone you know is dealing with the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, relationship, health or even the loss of a dream you once had. 

It is difficult to process a loss, especially when it's someone you love. We would like to offer condolences for your loss. Grief is one of the most painful and strong emotions, always difficult to process, especially doing it alone.

Sometimes, we all feel a little stuck in life. On the surface, things might seem to be going well. We may have a good job, happy relationships, and freedom from any serious health conditions, and yet despite this, something just isn't right. Something might be missing from your life, or perhaps a general feeling of dissatisfaction is nagging at the back of your mind.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, an extreme need for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards other people. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often have a history of difficult interpersonal relationships, and often attempt to use or manipulate those around them. 

"Research suggests Play Therapy is an effective mental health approach, regardless of age, gender, or the nature of the problem, and works best when a parent, family member, or caretaker is actively involved in the treatment process."

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition characterized by an onset of anxiety-related symptoms in response to a traumatic event. PTSD can develop in response to an event in which a patient is exposed to a dangerous or life-threatening event, whether real or perceived, and persists to the point of disruption in the patient's life.

Self-injury is the act of intentionally harming oneself as a way of coping with pain. 

Methods such as cutting and burning are the most common ways of committing self-injury, although excessive scratching and hitting oneself occur as well. 

Low self-esteem is a behavioral and thought pattern in which an individual lacks self-confidence and a healthy sense of self-regard. 

While low self-esteem itself is not a medical diagnosis, it is often serious enough that it negatively impacts the life and well-being of the person with low self-esteem. It is likewise often accompanied by mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and can occur as a result of these conditions or on its own.

Any form of harmful, unwanted sexual contact is a form of sexual abuse, and should be treated as such. Given the overwhelming stigma associated with sexual abuse, it is crucial that survivors seeking treatment for the harmful effects of their abuse receive compassion and support from qualified professionals who believe them and understand the impact of what they have experienced.

Stress is an inevitable part of the human experience. All of us, at one point or another, will experience stress related to our careers or personal life. 

When the stress we face outstrips our ability to cope, however, is when stress begins to take its toll on our health and well-being. 

Teen violence refers to any form of violent or aggressive behavior displayed by teenagers and young adults. 

While this can include bullying, teen violence further includes behaviors such as fighting, abuse, and gang activity, among others. 

Remember, trauma often manifests itself as any number of physical (or "somatic") symptoms. Headaches, digestive issues, and new forms of chronic pain can all be the result of trauma. Doing everything you can to make your body feel well is a vital part of ensuring that the negative effects of trauma are limited. While this alone may not cure you of the trauma symptoms, it will go a long way in making you feel better, and setting you up for recovery down the road.