Counseling Services

Counseling Edge is the sister company of Edge Coaching.

Created in 2009, Counseling Edge was Michelle Ellwanger’s original private practice. Early on, Michelle noticed that many client problems corrected when awareness was increased and tools were given.

Counseling Edge provides individual counseling and marriage counseling for adults. We accept BC/BS insurance and offer self-filing options for clients with other insurance providers.

Please note- Counseling Edge is not accepting new clients at this time.

Individual Counseling

Counseling Edge provides individual counseling for adult men and women. Our goal is to locate the root cause of the presenting problem and correct it. This assures lasting change and is much more effective than treating only the symptoms.

While anything standing in the way of your success can be addressed, common areas of focus clients present with include: anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-worth, anger management, grief and loss, eating disorders, parenting, and spirituality.

We do not currently work with children or adolescents.


Counseling Intensives

Need results sooner versus later?

Counseling Edge offers both individual intensives and marriage intensives.

Counseling Intensives involve multiple hours of one on one sessions with Michelle Ellwanger in Hickory, North Carolina. Much like a silent retreat but with professional input, clients are provided lodging, multiple daily sessions and time for self reflection.

Individual intensives are great for anyone at a crossroad in their life. It combines rest with healing and growth.  Typically, a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and processing are used to help a person better navigate their life.

Marriage intensives are ideal for couples looking to improve their marriage.  Let’s face it, marriages inevitably face adversity. The good news is that this can be an opportunity to objectively look at how to correct what is not working.

Marriage intensives are a three part process involving couple sessions where both partners are present plus individual sessions where each partner focuses on their own individual challenges.


Please note: If domestic violence is present or if the counselor determines each client needs their own individual counselor, the couple will be referred to independent outside resources.

Individuals in need of crisis counseling who live in Catawba County can reach a mobile crisis unit at 1.877.327.2593.

Individuals living outside of Catawba County can call the National Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK

Specialty Areas

Types of Therapy


Presenting Problems

While anything standing in the way of your success can be addressed, here are some common presenting problems for clients seeking counseling services. Please communicate your presenting concerns when scheduling an appointment.

Relationships

Anxiety

Emotional Regulation

Sexuality Issues

Depression

Self-worth

Parenting

Grief & Loss

Eating Disorders

Spirituality

Counseling Pricing

View Rates

Counseling FAQ

How do I pick a good counselor?

Choosing a good counselor is a matter of doing your homework and then trusting yourself as to which counselor stands out in someway as right for you. You will most likely know after your first session if you have connected with your counselor. If you have not, you should continue on your search until you find an individual you trust and feel comfortable with. Counseling is about establishing a safe relationship with a professional you feel good about.

How long does counseling take?

The length of counseling is dependent on the severity of the problem. An individual seeking better communication skills will need far fewer sessions that someone suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is helpful to be fair to yourself and the counseling process by committing to 7+ sessions for basic problems and 12+ sessions for multiple problems or past trauma.

What does counseling typically cost?

Counseling costs vary but since you are paying for a licensed professional with over six years of college education , you should expect costs to range from $100-$300 per session. Lower costs may be found at agencies who accept sliding scale payments or receive grants to offset costs. Higher costs may be found at agencies with specialized services or with clinicians in high demand.

How do I help someone who needs counseling?

While you can be supportive and find resources to make the decision easier for that individual, ultimately, the individual will need to have some ownership in the process. Talk to the person to determine what fears or barriers they have that are preventing them from seeking professional services and then help them overcome these factors.

I tried counseling in the past and it did not work. Now what?

Every counseling situation is different. It is important to find a counselor that you like who is experienced in the area you are seeking assistance. Equally important, you should have treatment goals and assignments between sessions. The results and the progress you make will be proportionate to the effort you put into the process. By all means, go at your own pace but also set personal expectations and discuss these with your counselor.

Do I have to be diagnosed if I receive counseling?

A diagnosis is required when filing with an insurance company. When paying out of pocket, no diagnosis is required. If you have concerns about a diagnosis, have a discussion with your counselor at your first session to look at an option that works for you.

What counseling credentials or licensing requirements should I look for?

To be legally practicing, your counselor or therapist will have a minimum of six years of college. Master's level and doctorate level clinicians can be recognized by the following credentials after their name: MA, MS, PhD and PsyD. In addition to these academic credentials, notice the licensing credentials after their name. Common examples and what they stand for are listed below:

NCC = National Certified Counselor This is the initial step to become a counselor and requires passing a national exam.

LCMHCA = Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate This is a designation for a new counselor being supervised.

LCMHC = Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor This is a designation for a counselor who is fully licensed and no longer required to have supervision.

LMFTA = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate This is a designation for a new marriage and family therapist being supervised.

LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist This is a designation for a marriage and family therapist who is fully licensed and no longer required to have supervision.

LCSWA= Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate This is a designation for a new social worker being supervised.

LCSW = Licensed Clinical Social Worker This is a designation for a social worker who is fully licensed and no longer required to have supervision.

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) These are doctorate level designations. Individuals holding these credentials may practice counseling as a clinician, director or professor.

M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) This is the designation for psychiatrists who have attended medical school. The vast majority of psychiatrists do not provide traditional psychotherapy sessions. Instead, they use their limited time to focus on prescribing and regulating medications.

There are amazing seasoned clinicians who are highly competent with dealing with specific mental health concerns who you may find best meet your personal needs. But there are also many new clinicians with an associate designation who are wonderfully qualified professionals offering services often at a lower price. Do your homework and then pick someone that you connect with and trust for a successful counseling experience.

Wellness Workshops

Take the time to look where you’re headed.

Our one day wellness workshops are offered seasonally at Mystic Ridge Farm. Workshops focus on personal growth with a variety of rotating topics.

NEW WORKSHOP: Wonderwomen- Discovering Your Inner Power. Email us for more information and to register.

PLEASE NOTE- Due to COVID-19, wellness workshops have been postponed. We hope to resume spring 2022. Please check back.