Contact: Tom Tsakounis
A Quiet Journey Counseling, LLC
4829 West Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 370-6613
ttsakounis@aquietjourney.com

A Quiet Journey Counseling in Bethesda uses a holistic approach in treating clients

BETHESDA, MD AUGUST 14, 2010 Demand is increasing for holistic health care, as more people seek an alternative to the traditional model of medicine. Bethesda’s newest mental health resource, A Quiet Journey Counseling, uses a whole person approach to mental health. Counselor Tom Tsakounis, a Licensed Counselor, uses a variety of therapies and technologies to treat his clients in mind, body and spirit.

“I embarked on this journey over 10 years ago after my experience with medical school proved not to be the path to wellness that spoke to my heart.” said Mr. Tsakounis. “I yearned to explore a more holistic and balanced approach to mental health and well-being.”

A Quiet Journey Counseling focuses on using a holistic approach to help patients struggling with sexual identity issues, including adolescents and the LGBT community. Mr. Tsakounis works with patients seeking help with other issues as well, including depression, PTSD, anger management and bereavement. Family, couples and group therapy are also available at A Quiet Journey Counseling, with programs and payment schedules individually tailored to fit the patient’s needs.

“I enjoy sharing my experience and training with my clients.” says Mr. Tsakoumis. “ Good health has just as much to do with the spiritual and emotional being as it does with the physical being. Mental health is equally relevant in the journey toward wellness.”

Through the use of technology, therapy is available for individuals, couples and families. A Quiet Journey Counseling offers distance therapy by email, phone and video conference. Online counseling ensures that clients can fit the counseling they need into a busy lifestyle. Through the use of technology, A Quiet Journey is able to help clients who live in remote areas, are overseas, or may simply require a higher degree of anonymity. Mr. Tsakounis makes home visits to treat patients in Bethesda and the surrounding area who may be unable to visit his office. This kind of therapy is on the cutting edge of counseling practice.

“Through the use of modern technology and by making house calls, I’m striving to reach people in need of counseling regardless of their circumstances.” says Mr. Tsakoumis. “ Some clients may be differently abled, unable to reach my office due to distance or scheduling, or concerned about maintaining their privacy. Online counseling and home visits allow me to treat these clients in the way that makes them most comfortable.”

Mr Tsakoumis is also a pioneer in Psychotherapeutic Feng Shui . This new type of therapy is an additional treatment option available at A Quiet Journey Counseling.

“Each of us is called to a unique journey which we know as life.” said Mr. Tsakounis “ I believe it is important to recognize that a client is more than just a mental health issue, a client is a whole person, body, mind and spirit.”

A Quiet Journey Counseling is located in Bethesda. Tom Tsakounis is a Nationally Certified, Distance Credentialed and Licensed Counselor, Master Reiki Practitioner and is trained in a variety of therapies. Mr. Tsakounis is also an educator and speaker, and is a co founder of Whole Body Concepts. For more information about Tom Tsakounis or a Quiet Journey Counseling, please contact him at ttsakounis@aquietjourney.com or visit his website www.aquietjourney.com.

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As we continued to talk, she revealed to me that she believed her mother suffered from chronic depression.  Trying to help, I questioned her, I asked her when was the last time she had her doctor evaluate her anti-depression medication?  She replied, “Oh, my mother has never seen a doctor for that, she’ll get over it, she always does!”  (The details of this conversation have been changed to protect the identity of the individual.)

Her view of this problem is not unlike that of many people who do not consider mental health issues to be of parallel importance with physical health issues.

In fact, mental health issues can be equally impairing and debilitating.  Those suffering from mental health issues feel pain, distress and anxiety, to mention a few, as a result of their issues.  They feel shame and are embarrassed and may keep their issues hidden for fear of being harshly judged by those that do not understand the complexity of mental health issues.

Mental health counseling can address issues surrounding the diagnosis of a life changing disease.  It can offer support for the management of the fear and anger associated with a life changing disease, as well as understanding and managing the emotions resulting from the fear of re-occurrence and the transitions involved in a full recovery.  Counseling can support both the patient and the family members as they navigate through their experiences.

The range of persons seeking out counseling and psychotherapy services vastly varies amongst a wide array of individuals. Married couples whose households rely on a double income are seeking out therapy to learn how to cope with the loss of a spouse’s employment and the economic strain put on so many marriages during times like these.

Parents are also seeking out therapy to help their children understand and deal with the changes that have financially affected the entire family. We are also seeing younger, single adults who are seeking out counseling to deal with the anger, pressure and anxiety associated with financial strain and economic hardship.

The individuals that have elected to take advantage of counseling and psychotherapy services have found an inner peace and a level of hope to replace the stressed out anxiety and sense of hopelessness that had loomed over them because of financial strains and economic hardships.

Some Counselors have responded to the needs of those struggling with economic hardship by creating more flexible sliding scale options, variations in session times and packages that offer discounts.

With the evolution of technology has come increased accessibility to qualified counselors. Email, Video-Chat, Telephone, Home Visits and Traditional Face-to-Face delivery venues are just a few options available to those seeking help with adjusting to a new economic era.

1. The client sets the goals of therapy.
2. The therapist places their agenda to the side and respects the client’s agenda.
3. The therapist seeks to elucidate obscurities, which for some may be painful to recognize.
4. There is NEVER a therapeutic reason for a counselor to develop a physically intimate relationship a client!
5. The therapist will do everything possible to protect your privacy and maintain confidentiality.

Of course, there are many others. . .

It is important to remember that you should be able to discuss your therapeutic relationship with your therapist at any time something doesn’t feel right to you.  It is YOUR therapy.  If you are holding back, perhaps  you need to take a closer look at the motivation for doing so.