Mental health counseling referral form

Counseling

Let's work together to improve your mood and daily life!

I offer Mental Health Counseling for:

• Major and Seasonal Depressive Disorders
• Generalized Anxiety and Frequent Panic Attacks
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Military and First Responder Trauma
• Religious, Spiritual and Existential Crisis
• Grief, Bereavement, and Adjustment Disorders
• Chronic Negative Self-Talk and Low Self-Esteem
• Distress Associated with Autoimmune Disorders

about Cheryl McGill, LPC

"Sounds great! But, Who are you?"

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy to help clients build effective coping strategies for a variety of mental health disorders. I've earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in working with Military Personnel and Veterans. I have worked professionally in the field of emotional support and life enhancement since 2017.

What Counseling looks like

​ Initial Intake Session:

• We'll discuss the symptoms you're experiencing and how long these have been present
• I'll ask you about the ways you've been coping with your presenting symptoms and what's been working and what hasn't
• We'll explore your family history of mental health and your personal medical history relating to your symptoms
• Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and your goals for treatment

​ Ongoing Treatment Sessions:

• We'll talk about your experiences since your last session and what your symptoms were like
• I'll challenge any ongoing beliefs or thought patterns that interfere with your treatment progress
• Together, we will practice and role play coping skills and continue to build on strengths
• We'll explore any adjustments to your treatment plan that may be needed based on your progress toward your overall treatment goals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Depression?

Depression can manifest differently for everyone and isn't always expressed in the same way. Yet, there are symptoms that represent "Depression" such as:

• feeling sad, empty, or hopeless for most of the day and nearly everyday
• experiencing a significant lack of interest or pleasure in most, or all, activities throughout the day
• loss of appetite or overeating
• inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• moving noticeably slower that usual
• excessive fatigue
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• feelings of worthlessness or thoughts of suicide

What is a Panic Attack?

While panic attacks are not a mental health disorder in itself, they often occur as a manifestation of intense emotional response related to other mental health disorders such as anxiety, trauma, stress, depression, and substance use.

Symptoms of panic attack include: pounding heart, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, sensation of choking, chest pain, nausea, feeling dizzy or light-headed, numbness, chills, heat, feeling detached from reality, a sense of losing control, and fear of dying.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is noted as experiencing excessive and uncontrollable worry, apprehension, and fear for more days than not for at least six months. Symptoms include:

• feeling restless or on edge
• being easily fatigued
• mind going blank
• feeling irritable or easily agitated
• muscle tension difficulty relaxing
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Do you prescribe medications for depression or anxiety?

No. Medications need to be prescribed by your medical provider. I can work collaboratively with your provider to monitor your progress with prescribed medications and identify any potential side effects you may experience.

Do you take insurance?

No. There are several benefits to clients for not accepting insurance. Some benefits include not being limited to the number of sessions you can attend and not having a diagnosis on your medical record. However, I accept HSA cards and can provide a Superbill for clients to submit to their insurance provider for reimbursement of out-of-network treatment. I offer a Military discount for active duty members and Veterans.