Hello! Welcome to my website! Are you here to learn about what counseling offers in general, or are you interested in seeing if I may be a good fit for you? Be sure to use the Contact Form on the last page to ask any questions you may have about getting started, or to schedule an appointment. You can also reach me by calling the office at 205-703-2815, or find me on Psychology Today, www.PsychologyToday.com, and TherapyDen, www.TherapyDen.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
~Jill (She, Her, Hers) |
***TELEHEALTH COUNSELING SESSIONS(phone or video) CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, IF REQUESTED, ALONG WITH IN-PERSON. ALL CDC GUIDELINES FOLLOWED. COMING SOON! BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR INFOMATION ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SESSION OPTION, WALK AND TALK COUNSELING. THIS WILL BE OFFERED IN ADDITION TO CURRENT OPTIONS FOR IN-PERSON OR TELEHEALTH TRADITIONAL COUNSELING SESSIONS!***
What Is Counseling, And Why Should I Consider It?
Counseling is provided by professionals who have completed a minimum of a Masters degree in graduate school.In Alabama, a professional counselor in private practice, must be licensed to practice by the state. Licensing requires a passing score on a national exam, and up to 3000 hours of post-graduate supervision by an L.P.C. Supervisor. In addition to having a private practice, there are many different jobs that counselors can hold. Some examples include alcohol and substance abuse treatment, mental health settings, not-for-profit agencies, hospitals, and for-profit large practices alongside psychiatrists and psychologists.
JILL'S EXPERIENCES
Jill Dean (she, her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who completed a Master's degree in Counseling in 1998, and a post-graduate Education Specialist degree in Counseling in 2002, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is licensed by the state of Alabama to provide counseling in a private practice setting. Jill has years of experience with addiction issues, trauma, such as adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and other abuse issues; grief and loss, mental health, marriage/couple's issues, neurodivergence (ADHD, ASD), women's issues, survivors of sex trafficking, and other situations where one may seek counseling. Jill also has experience working with first responders and other professionals who struggle with PTSD, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, substance abuse issues, or relationship issues. She also has worked with health professionals and other professionals (Firefighters, EMTs, Nurses, Physicians, Attorneys) in recovery
from substance abuse issues, coordinating with various licensing boards as needed. Jill has seen other counselors seeking therapy for over 15 years, and is very comfortable in this scenario.
Jill spent 10 years providing individual and group counseling, play therapy, and crisis counseling to victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence in a non-profit shelter agency in Alabama. Prior to this, she worked for six years with children and adolescents who were deemed "at-risk" for future behavioral and/or mental issues due to their difficult, sometimes abusive, living environments. She has provided services with a local Addictions treatment facility, facilitating Intensive Outpatient treatment groups, residential treatment groups, individual counseling, and other counseling services for addiction and recovery. During this time, she gained additional experience in assisting health and other professionals and first responders. She also developed experience in counseling those receiving Medication-Assisted treatment for opiate and alcohol abuse.
Prior to becoming a licensed counselor, Jill worked for close to 15 years as an L.P.T.A., Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, in local hospitals. This experience was invaluable, and continues to contribute positively to her work today as a counselor. She has a good working knowledge of disease processes, pharmacology, and other related issues. However, she is no longer a licensed healthcare professional, and cannot give medical advice.
Jill says...
" I am a seasoned professional counselor who has helped hundreds of women, men and children work on their specific sexual or domestic violence, and addiction issues, as well as other problems that often make coping much more difficult. Some of these include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and C-PTSD, self-injury (examples include cutting, burning, or excessive exercise), personality disorders such as Borderline Personality, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder; pregnancy loss, infertility, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and eating disorders, for example. Often times, a person is dealing with co-morbid issues, meaning more than one at a time, and my experience includes being able to address these co-morbid disorders or issues. I have an interest in counseling other mental health professionals, first responders, and healthcare providers and their families, who may be dealing with addiction recovery, or Compassion Fatigue. This is seen even more since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I can also provide grief and loss counseling for any situation, whether complex grief or the natural grieving process that accompanies loss. Being a pet lover myself, I have an interest in providing grief counseling for pet owners, too, who are finding it difficult to heal following the death of a beloved pet. Finally, I have been involved for several years in seeing survivors of human sex trafficking, volunteering as an anti-trafficking advocate on street outreach and in strip clubs, and on social media with several organizations advocating for trafficking survivors of pornography."
" I approach each client individually to determine what may best help the person meet their goals, whether it is to work on building self-esteem, developing emotional or physical safety plans, healthy coping tools, or learning to replace self-injurious behaviors with grounding or visual imagery, for example. I typically come from a trauma-informed, trauma-focused, person-centered approach, pulling from Somatic therapy tools, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, EFT, and others, to fit each client's individual needs. I offer a safe space that is non-judgemental, non-discriminatory, and relaxed so that each client can feel the most comfortable while addressing their needs. I believe in seeing everyone from all walks of life. As human beings, we may not have the same experiences exactly, but can benefit from many of the numerous tools in my "toolbox."
While Jill has varied experience with many different issues, occasionally she may feel that there is another counselor who specializes more in a particular topic that you may benefit from seeing. For example, play therapy for young children. Many counselors like Jill have a specialty , and this is where most of their experience lies. If, after assessment this is the case, Jill will discuss your options with you. In this case, she will discuss making an appropriate referral for you. It is always your choice whether to continue seeing Jill or accepting the referral offered to you.
Call Jill today at 205-703-2815, or use the contact form at the bottom of this page to schedule a FREE 15 minute phone or face-to-face consultation, or to schedule a counseling appointment.
***All services are private pay, no insurance is required. For Out-of-Network Inquiries: If requested, I will provide you a SuperBill detailing that you have been seen in counseling and paid out of pocket. Check to see if your health insurance will reimburse OON before your appointment, then notify the therapist at your first visit that you wish to receive a SuperBill for you to file with your insurance company for reimbursement or to apply toward your deductible. It is sometimes difficult to receive reimbursement from a personal insurance provider, and is typically dependent on the type of policy you have, as well as the carrier. There is no guarantee made by Jill Dean, LPC of reimbursement
Financial Challenges: When a client requests, and is approved, for reduced cost of counseling sessions due to financial circumstances, a SuperBill for OON reimbursement can not be provided by Jill Dean, LPC.
Follow me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JillDeanLPC, or on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/justjillprocounselor, for daily insight. Look for me soon On TikTok for informative and educational content. Disclaimer: No counseling is performed via these sites. For purposes of client confidentiality, which is of the utmost importance to me, no current or past clients will be either friended or followed by Jill Dean, LPC on social media. Any communication by clients must be done through secure email, secure text or telephone. Thank You, Jill.
Good Faith Estimate: Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises