At Gulf Shores Counseling Center, our counseling clinicians have experience working with clients of all ages, providing individual, group, couples and family therapy services. We offer Individual, Couples, Group, Family, and Telemental Health Services
Christine Rykiel, LCSW is the owner and Executive Director of Gulf Shores Counseling Center. Ms. Rykiel opened GSCC in 2023 with the goal of providing quality, affordable psychotherapy services that are focused on promoting client-centered, goal oriented counseling that develops and enhances client strengths. Ms Rykiel graduated with her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of MD School of Social Work in 1994. She earned her LCSW-C in Maryland in 1997 and in Florida in March 2011. Ms Rykiel is also certified as a BCD in Clinical Social Work Practice with Children and Families since 2005 and she is also certified as a CEAP- Employee Assistance Professional since 2018.
Ms. Rykiel provides counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults. She has been working in private practice since 1999. She possesses a unique ability to work specifically with individuals with developmental disabilities. Ms. Rykiel primarily utilizes a cognitive-behavioral therapy model in her work with her patients.
Connie Reinhard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She has over 25 years of experience providing counseling, supervision, crisis management and program management and development. She is a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida.
She has been an active member of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team for over 11 years working with law enforcement and first responders to help them recognize and process their acute trauma. She has also served on the suicide prevention task force for 8 years. She has been trained in de-escalation and crisis prevention intervention (CPI). In 2016 and 2017 she received a city award for providing “Best Personal Care” counseling services to the city of Newark, Ohio. She was also recognized by the Governor of Ohio for her services in Mental Health. She has partnered with community agency’s to provide acute trauma care after a traumatic incident. She has also partnered with law enforcement in providing emergency clinical care to victims. She is well respected in the field by first responders and has provided a much needed service to their community of responders.
She has worked in community mental health, managed care, psychiatric hospitals, intensive outpatient, private practice and EAP (employee assistance program).
She has worked with children over 8 years of age, adolescents, young adults, adults and seniors. She has worked with law enforcement for many years providing de-briefing for officers in the field. She has also worked with first responders, military and veterans.
She provides trauma informed care. She has an eclectic style of therapy including psychotherapy, solution-focused, strength based, mindfulness, CBT, reflective listening, motivational interviewing and stages of change,and brief therapy, all based on the need of the individual. She is also trained in EMDR therapy.
She has worked with individuals who suffer from mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, dissociative identity disorder, relational conflict, grief/loss, trauma/PTSD, first responders, adjustment disorders, anger, and self esteem issues.
She believes that every person has a story, every person has worth but sometimes they need guidance discovering their value.
“Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves” Nhat Hanh
Phil Hendra, RMHCI, is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern who prides himself on empathetic listening and allowing clients to share their thoughts and feeling in a safe therapeutic and nonjudgmental environment while engaging in rational dialogue to bring out the positivity within the clients’ narrative. Phil has a welcoming way to create a relaxed atmosphere during every session which allows the ease of collaborating on an individualized treatment plan. While building a therapeutic alliance, he will incorporate the use of multimodalities to discover which modality will offer the most progress toward successfully meeting the client’s goals. Phil obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stetson University and his Master’s in Science from Walden University. He has an immeasurable amount of life experiences and education which equates to his uncanny ability to relate with clients of any age. Phil’s expertise in working with adolescents, adults, and couples within an office setting or in the privacy of your own home, through Telehealth, makes your therapy experience a positive and pleasant one. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness are all applicable modes of therapy Phil incorporates in his client care plan. Phil has a talent to express empathy, support, and acceptance to all clients, regardless of what is said or done. He is dedicated to educating clients on Self. Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Self-Confidence, and Self-Care are just some of the keys to a happier and healthier life. Areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, ADHD, High functioning Autism, Adjustment Disorders, Addictions, Bi-Polar, Grief, and Relationship Conflicts.
Katlyn Tobey, RCSWI, is a Register Clinical Social Work Intern with a passion for helping others achieve their full potential and live peaceful, prosperous lives. She offers a compassionate and judgement-free space for open communication, growth, and empathy. Her goal is to help guide her clients through their therapy journey and be an additional support system. Katlyn utilizes a person-centered approach emphasizing client’s strengths. She uses techniques such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivation Interviewing, & Solution Focused Therapy. She earned her Bachelors in Science, in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Katlyn is currently accepting clients addressing anxiety, ADHD, depression, low self-esteem, family conflict, grief, adjustment disorder, eating disorders, trauma, and those with LQBTQ+ identities.
Debby received her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. She relocated to St. Petersburg, Fla and began to work at John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in May 1986. She was employed as a clinical social worker for 36 years.
In 1995, Debby received her clinical license in social work from the state of Florida. She is a qualified supervisor for those seeking licensure.
Debby has experience working with: women issues, adjustment to life changes, depression, anxiety issues, self-esteem, adoptions, parenting issues, grief and loss, family therapy, couples, group therapy and Christian counseling.
Debby focuses on strengthening the family or individual to better understand and enable oneself to make changes to improve life challenges and restore hope.
In 2005, Debby received the Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work from the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers.
What is Group Therapy? It is a therapeutic group that typically focuses on one issue and whose participants experience the same or similar mental health disorders.
Telemental Health Services is online therapy and an amazing tool for clients who want or need to incorporate mental health counseling sessions into their lives without going to a physical in-office appointment.
GSCC understands the need for compassion and skill when it comes to trauma counseling. Many clinicians at GSCC are trained or certified in the most current and beneficial therapeutic modalities to assist you in resolving your traumas.
Life can be stressful and overwhelming leading to unhealthy choices and conditions. Individual counseling (sometimes called psychotherapy, talk therapy, or treatment) is a process through which clients work one-on-one with a trained mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential environment.
In relationships, most problems stem from a lack of communication. For some couples, fighting can become the norm. You and your spouse may feel overwhelmed or wonder if your marriage can even be salvaged. Conversations leave both partners feeling frustrated and not feeling heard. Couples Therapy is a safe place to learn, use, and practice new communication tools as a couple.
Families do not always live in harmony. Life changes such as divorce, loss, or lifestyle adjustments can create conflict and tension. Feeling hostility in the home, or a disconnect in family communication is disruptive to a healthy family unit.
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