• Are you having trouble getting along with your friends?
• Is fighting with your boyfriend or girlfriend driving you crazy?
• Are your parents or friends on your back pressuring you to do things that would be "good for you" but that you don't feel like doing?
• Do you feel blah, bored, confused, or stuck?
• Are you often feeling that you have to explain or defend who you are, or act in ways that please other people and not yourself?

This is normal!

There will be days, sometimes months or years when life does not make sense. You may feel afraid, disgusted, and confused with yourself and your life. Getting experienced help when you feel stuck is also normal, and in fact, a very smart thing to do.

You are worth it! There is nothing in the world more important than you. You have within you all you need to overcome the challenges that you are experiencing. You may just need some help rediscovering your wisdom. Whatever you desire to be, to have, and to experience all lie within you, waiting to be revealed.

Expressing your thoughts in counseling about the things that matter to you-your family, your friends, your body and your love life, will help you to understand what to do with how you feel and make the changes that will help you grow wiser and stronger. You are not alone! Smart and normal young women seek help through counseling all the time.

What is a typical counseling session with Dina like? In an average session, we begin with a "check-in" to see how you are doing today, in general over the past week, and in regards to the issue at hand. I will listen attentively and ask questions to make sure that I understand you fully. We'll determine what you want (support, challenge, advice, planning) and go from there. I can help you to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings and to realize that you can choose to be in charge of your reactions.

Useful counseling sessions I've done in the past with other young women have included creating their very own "sacred survival kit" with good stuff for times when life feels overwhelming and cruel. Also, I have led personal rituals for young women suffering from loss, wanting to put closure on dead-end relationships, or to celebrate personal successes.

Together, we will discover your "favorite things"-scents, gemstones, fairytales, archetypes, mentors, goddesses, colors, people, places, and things that help you feel happy again when the world's got you down. My hope is that you know, without a shadow of doubt, that you have all the resources, tools, and skills to handle whatever life throws at you.

More than anything, I believe counseling should help you to realize that you know how to take care of yourself.

What kind of results do Dina's clients experience?

As a result of our working together, graduates from counseling with me say that they are more able to:

• Know what truly makes them happy
• Ask for what they want from others
• Communicate more effectively
• Set boundaries with grace
• Love and take good care of their needs
• Accept both compliments AND criticism as good information
• Make better decisions
• Be a blessing in their families and in the world

What kind of experience does Dina have in working with people like me?

For the past 8 years, I have been supporting young women ages 16-29 to become self-aware, to develop the ability to reflect and self-affirm, to build emotionally healthy relationships, and to navigate the ups and downs of life with greater ease. Please refer to the "About Dina" page for more information about my qualifications and experience.

What if I have some more serious problems in my life?

I maintain a network of quality therapists who address young women's topics that are outside of my specialty area. These include domestic violence, ADD/ADHD, sex offenses, schizophrenia, and the chronically mentally ill or those with character disorders. I also work closely with professionals who can evaluate my clients in order to prescribe anti-depressants, anxiety drugs or other medications.

What if I want to know more?

Please feel free to call (206) 355-4894 or e-mail me at dinainno@yahoo.com for more information. I offer a free initial 20-minute phone session for you to get to know a bit about me before you decide to contract with me as your counselor. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dina Innominato, MA
206-355-4894
dina@dinainnominato.com


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