Areas of specialization include:

For age 14 to senior citizens:

• Mental health counseling
• Drug and alcohol counseling
• Faith-based approaches
• Therapy for depression, grief, and anxiety
• Therapy for adjustment to lifespan issues
• PTSD, stress management, anger management
• Addiction & recovery services
• Intensive outpatient group
• Substance abuse evaluations
• Opioid abuse evaluation, counseling, and referral for MAT (medication-assisted treatment – buprenorphine, vivitrol, methadone)
• Substance abuse treatment for court-mandated individuals
• Couples and marital counseling
• Help for family members of addiction
• Parenting education, especially when addiction is present

Brighter Visions Counseling has acquired full licensure by PA Dept of Drug/Alcohol Programs as an outpatient D/A Facility.

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then.You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, and for whatever reason, they aren’t working right now.  Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.

The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, if you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

Medication can be effective in reducing acute symptoms, but alone cannot solve all problems. Our work together is designed to explore the root of the issue, dig deep into your behavior and teach strategies that can help you accomplish your personal and/or relational goals.

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs and interests.

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time therapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place.

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication is crucial to your success. After all, we only see each other for a session a week. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you see your personal growth and development.

If you are concerned about your relationship, and you would both like to work with me, I would initially work with both of you together. After this work, if one of you would like to continue in individual sessions, I could work with only one of you. It is not helpful to move from individual into couple’s work with the same therapist because of potential trust issues.

You can reach us by calling 717-320-2303, emailing drfbenner@gmail.com, or using the contact form here on our site. 

We can't wait to hear from you!