CreekSide Counseling Services —an agency serving adolescents aged 13 and up, and adults in Oswego and Northern Onondaga counties -opened its second office recently at 428 S. Main St., Suite 111, North Syracuse it was announced by Jody Fiorini, Ph.D., owner.
The Oswego office is at 335 W. First St. (Time Warner Bldg.).
“At CCS, we believe that problems represent an opportunity for personal growth and that mental health counseling is a positive approach to dealing with life’s challenges and transitions,” Fiorini said. “Because there is a shortage of mental health providers in Oswego and Onondaga counties, we are delighted to add this additional location—across from the Geddes Bakery— to reach out and help more people throughout Central New York.
“We employ clinicians with a wide range of educational experience including Ph.D. level counselors, Masters Level counselors, and Masters Level counseling interns.
“Our agency specializes in serving our clients’ needs regarding: Divorce and Separation; Sexual orientation; Depression; Obsessive Compulsive Disorders; Anxiety and Panic; grief and loss; and Relationship issues.
“We also offer counseling on parenting issues, coping with disability, and life transition issues. There is a shortage of mental health counselors in Oswego County and we are here to help meet those needs.”
According to the New York State Education Dept. Office of the Professions: “Mental health counselors use assessment instruments, provide mental health counseling and psychotherapy, clinical assessment and evaluation, treatment planning and case management, prevention, discharge, and aftercare services. After identifying and evaluating mental health problems and related human development challenges, mental health counselors employ effective methods of counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with conditions that may include mood disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, personality disorders, dementia and adjustment disorders.
“Mental health counselors assist patients to develop skills and strategies to address issues such as parenting and career skills; problems in adolescent and family communication and functioning; couples, marital and relationship problems; and preventing the occurrence or re-occurrence of alcohol and substance abuse.”
CCS is open evenings and weekends by appointment and they accept many insurance plans. “We also have flexible rates for those who do not qualify
for insurance,” Fiorini said.
Once of the specialties of CCS is grief and loss counseling for children, Fiorini said. “In fact, ’Counseling Children and Adolescents Through Grief and Loss,’ a book I co-authored with my colleague, Jodi A. Mullen Ph.D., was the American Journal of Nursing’s 2006 Book of the Year.
“We want people to know that CreekSide Counseling’s two locations are warm and inviting. People will feel comfortable and at ease. We believe in the empowerment of clients: All people have the capacity to solve their own problems. Our job is to help them discover their own inner strengths.
“All clients will be treated with dignity and integrity in an atmosphere that provides acceptance and welcome for all cultures, genders, sexual orientations, disability statuses, and social classes.”
Fiorini is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She is also a professor at SUNY Oswego in Counseling and Psychological services. CCS can be contacted at (315) 343-3344 and at [email protected].
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