David Ball Counseling

Group therapy and individual therapy serve different functions – and one is not necessarily more or less effective than the other. Group counseling techniques are beneficial in creating confidence in healthy relational coping strategies that create social connectedness with others. These sessions are intended for people to critically listen to others, gain multiple perspectives, share feedback, and strengthen their ability to interact and connect with others.

There are many treatment options available for anxiety – including (but not limited to), psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, meditation, yoga, support groups, and medication.

Standard counseling sessions last 50 minutes. Sometimes people will want more time and 90-minute sessions are available.

Therapy is confidential up to a certain extent. Adolescents in therapy who are 16 and older in the state of Tennessee have the same rights to confidentiality as adults. If a client has a definitive plan to end their lives or someone else's, knows of ongoing abuse of a child 18 years or younger, knows of a disabled person or elderly person who is being abused, I may have to break confidentiality and share this knowledge with others. Working with adolescents, I tell both parents and kids upfront that IF there is something intense going on it would be healthy to talk about it as a family if the family structure is safe enough. I work with many adolescents on communication skills with parents about challenging issues so they feel more able to express inner intensities with those who care for them.

I worked with sports psychologists for two different teams while I was in the NFL. Based on my experience, sports psychologists work on specific outcomes athletes have or desire in their sport. Most work with some form of performance anxiety and competitive challenges associated with athletic achievement. Where sports psychologists work on the outcomes, or leaves of the trees, I would work more with the roots or inner workings of the trees(clients internal world). Based on my experience as an athlete if you can deal with the challenges or intensities deep under the surfaces of yourself, performance usually increases as a byproduct.

When a person enters into a relationship with a mental health professional, they should expect to be connected to a person who is clear, honest, caring, and supportive. Clients should expect they are working with a professional therapist who will continue to create a safe space for their thoughts, feelings, and sensations NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE. My clients have the green light to share with me anything they desire and I strive to create a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves with me. So much of healing or internal change takes place when people feel safe enough to go to certain places inside themselves.

Life is hard. People deal with a lot of internal pain. If you are a person who has been carrying some pain and it feels like no matter what you do, the pain will not change, then maybe it is time to talk to a professional. An inner challenge is a part of life. Feelings like anxiety, shame, guilt, sadness, and rage are all a part of the human experience. If there are certain feelings, behaviors, or thoughts that are way out of balance, then talking to a professional who is dedicated to exploring and helping people in your situation may help.