Tonia Adams

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University Online and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of North Texas. I have over eight years of experience serving in the mental health field working with clients dealing with a broad range of concerns.

My Call to Christian Counseling

My journey to become a counselor was prompted by my love of helping people navigate life’s chaos, nurtured by my empathic nature, and spurred on by my introduction to existentialism in high school. I have a family history of dealing with death, divorce, suicide, terminal illness, and alcoholism, all of which cultivated my desire to walk alongside others in their pain.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love connecting with people. I am a natural extrovert and am energized by socializing. My husband and I travel often and have plans to retire on a boat to sail the world. The water is my happy place and it is even better when my husband and our dog are there to share it with me. I enjoy writing about the chaos of life and I love reading and watching true crime and solving mysteries. My recently published book explores the taboo subject of being Christian, rejecting God, and contemplating suicide, then His disciples loving me back into the fold which ultimately strengthened my faith and purpose.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Codependency
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• OCD
• Personal Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

ADHD

Studies show that ADHD is more prevalent than we once thought, particularly in women, and it does not just manifest as an inability to sit down or concentrate. Often, it looks like difficulty prioritizing or completing tasks, getting up repeatedly during a movie to do something, or simply being unable to maintain your calendar. Together, we will identify how ADHD impacts you and ways to manage those symptoms so that you can control the squirrels and reduce the chaos in your life.

Anxiety

When you have anxiety, it can permeate every part of your life. You may think that’s normal for everybody, but it’s not. Life with anxiety is living in a perpetual state of overwhelm and “what ifs,” and it does not have to be that way. In session, we will work together to challenge irrational thoughts and learn to calm your spirit.

Codependency

When you struggle with being codependent, your belief systems center around gaining your self worth from what you do for others, which yields external affirmation. Who you are is based on what you do, so what happens when you don’t do? As Christians, we are often taught to put others above ourselves, but I believe Jesus set boundaries around that when He walked the earth. You can only give to others what you give to yourself and you can’t give from an empty cup. We will learn how to love others as yourself and as God loves you.

Personal Development

Together in session we will work to explore the choices that you have in each life circumstance, and discover ways to grow and become your authentic self, with God’s help. We will integrate every aspect of your being – physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual – as we seek to find practical ways to enjoy a more fulfilling life.

Relationship Issues

We are relational beings by nature, but often we learned how to connect and communicate with others in very unhealthy ways. Clearly expressing our needs and wants and setting and enforcing boundaries are keys to having healthy interactions. We will work together to identify and correct faulty patterns so that you will experience less conflict and more joy in your relationships.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Silverdale – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.