I worry a lot. Could I have an anxiety disorder?  Anxiety is a very natural - and useful - emotion.  It tells us when we should pay attention and be ready for something going on in our life: a critical work assignment, an important exam, or that mean-looking dog we meet on the street.  However, when our anxiety is overwhelming and we avoid doing meaningful things in our life, it becomes a disorder.  Common symptoms of anxiety disorder include not being able to stop worrying about something, trouble concentrating, and poor sleep quality.  Treating anxiety disorder typically involves therapy and medication.  One quick self help technique for anxiety is to be more aware of the specific thoughts playing over and over again in your mind.  Anxious thoughts often feel catastrophic, permanent, and repetitive, like a radio in your head broadcasting a Doom and Gloom emergency alert.  Imagine yourself turning down the volume on this radio, and turning your attention to the more helpful and meaningful thoughts about the present moments in your life.  Gulf Wind Counseling offers Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which is very effective in lowering the Doom and Gloom thoughts in your head.  We have offices in Tallahassee and Apalachicola.          ​

​What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Our brains have a natural system for processing information and sometimes experiences overwhelm that system, become a dysfunctionally stored memory, and show up as triggers during everyday life. EMDR involves recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds. This process helps the brain reprocess traumatic information, reducing its emotional intensity and enabling more adaptive coping. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require individuals to speak in detail about their trauma, making it accessible for those who struggle to verbalize painful experiences. It is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has been adapted for use with other mental health disorders such as anxiety and substance use. Many clients report significant improvements in fewer sessions compared to other therapeutic approaches.  Gulf Wind Counseling offers several trauma-focused therapies in the Tallahassee area, including EMDR, to help clients find stability, safety and healing.  Nikki Flagg LCSW is certified in EMDR by the EMDR International Association.  

How does couples counseling work? I’m afraid the counselor will listen to my spouse and blame me for all our problems.  Couples, marriage or relationship counseling is a tool for improving the quality of a relationship between partners.  Often people come to couples counseling when they feel there is too much conflict between them.  But conflict is not the only thing counseling can help with.  Other common problems include emptiness, disconnection, lack of intimacy, persistent negative sentiments and breaches of trust or safety.  There are different therapeutic approaches, but most methods focus on discovering, understanding and developing the emotions felt by each person as a way of strengthening their bond because relationships are all about emotions.  Two popular approaches are the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy.  Couples counseling avoids heated arguments and labeling either person as wrong.  Rather therapy is designed to promote mutual trust and restore the positive regard and fondness couples felt towards each other when they first decided to be together.  If you are looking to repair or strengthen your relationship, we offer in-person counseling in the Tallahassee and Apalachicola area, tailored to your specific relationship needs.          ​

What is trauma and how can it impact me? Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that overwhelm your ability to cope. It can come from experiences like abuse, accidents, loss, or other situations that made you feel powerless or unsafe. You might notice signs like intrusive memories, nightmares, anxiety, or emotional numbness. Maybe you avoid certain places, people, or topics that remind you of the distressing event. You might feel constantly on edge, easily startled, or disconnected from yourself or others. Physical symptoms like fatigue, tension, or trouble sleeping can also show up. Trauma affects everyone differently. If your emotional or physical responses feel intense, confusing, or out of sync with what's happening now, it might be worth exploring those experiences with a mental health professional.  Gulf Wind Counseling in Tallahassee provides several different trauma therapy modalities: EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Finding Solid Ground trauma recovery therapy.  We are available for trauma therapy in both Tallahassee and Apalachicola.   

What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Our brains have a natural system for processing information and sometimes experiences overwhelm that system, become a dysfunctional stored memory, and show up as triggers during everyday life. EMDR involves recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds. This process helps the brain reprocess traumatic information, reducing its emotional intensity and enabling more adaptive coping.

​Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require individuals to speak in detail about their trauma, making it accessible for those who struggle to verbalize painful experiences. It is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has been adapted for use with other mental health disorders such as anxiety and substance use. Many clients report significant improvements in fewer sessions compared to other therapeutic approaches.  

If you are interested in EMDR therapy in Tallahassee or Apalachicola, Gulf Wind Counseling has a certified EMDR therapist, Nikki Flagg, ready to answer any of your questions and provide effective EMDR treatment to improve your mental health.  

I’m in my first serious romantic relationship with someone I really like, but how do I know what a good relationship looks like?  Romantic relationships take work and are not always easy.  Any relationship is fundamentally built on trust.  Without trust the relationship will be shaky and not likely to last.  Romantic relationships, like friendships and family connections should feel mutually respectful.  Things that damage respect include contemptuous reactions such as hurtful insults, constant criticism, rigid defensiveness and shutting down a partner’s attempts to communicate.  If your partner emotionally hurts you in one of these ways, they should show a genuine desire to apologize and repair the hurt. Physical force - a partner putting their hands on you - is a full-stop red flag and needs to be addressed before the relationship continues.  Romantic partners should have a sense of teamwork - a satisfying feeling of shared effort and shared emotions.  In a good relationship you should be able to comfortably say “I know my partner has my back.”   Call our Tallahassee office if you would like to explore couples counseling.  

My child has disruptive behaviors and can’t focus.  I think it’s ADHD and it’s exhausting me. What can I do?  First, helping your child. Childhood ADHD is best diagnosed and treated through the combined efforts of a primary care physician and a mental health provider who can put together a thorough developmental and behavioral history.  Treatment consists of emotional and behavioral regulation skills taught at school and home sometimes accompanied by medication. Second, helping yourself.  Raising kids is hard, and ADHD can make it harder.  Be patient. Recognize that the behaviors are not intentional but just the best way the child knows how to handle things.  Have self-compassion.  Don’t beat yourself up about being stressed out or fantasizing about flying away to a quieter place.  Parental stress is uncomfortable but very common.  Finally have hope.  Children mature with a mixture of love and boundaries.  And sometimes that high energy and hyper focus can be a unique strength later in a child’s life.   

We offer counseling in Tallahassee and Apalachicola that helps individuals impacted by attention challenges, and also helps families work as a team to address ADHD.