Higgins Counseling

You deserve compassion, peace, & healing. I would be honored to help you along your journey to more wholeness & wellness. Transform your thoughts, perspectives, attitudes, habits, behaviors, & relationships to match your values, goals, and highest vision of your most authentic self. Through self-compassion, acceptance, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral techniques, & creative expressions, you can heal & grow. Gain emotional healing, self-efficacy, hope, motivation, confidence, & gratitude.

About Dr. Higgins  imageAbout Dr. Higgins  imageAbout Dr. Higgins  image
About My Personal Style:
I'm an empathic listener offering you a safe sounding board and nurturing validation. This acceptance can help motivate you to prioritize goals, use healthy coping skills to self-soothe, balance mind-body connections, & guide personal change. My style helps clients to increase their positive experiences, gratitude, hope, and resilience which often translates into improved mental health. I believe many clients benefit from guidance to tap into their own strengths, talents, and inner wisdom. Often, clients learn skills such as: mindfulness, acceptance, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, reframing negative thought patterns, practicing assertive communication skills and healthy boundary-setting, ways to improve relationships and their own self-worth and self-esteem.  I have more than 20 years of experience providing compassionate client-centered counseling and continue to enhance my learning and training.

About My Therapy Methods and Techniques:
My therapy techniques involve flexibility, cooperation and collaboration to transform your outlook, moods, habits, and relationships. I offer CBT, DBT, ACT, walk and talk in nature, animal-assisted, behavioral, art, music, somatic, psychodrama & play therapy depending on your preferences & needs. I also have experience in EMDR and EFT therapy modalities. I have taken Levels 1, 2, and 3 of Laurel Parnell's Attachment-focused EMDR and am a member of the Parnell Institute's directory of trained therapist members. I also provide psychoeducation and role playing for improving communications that may help improve interpersonal skills.

There are many techniques I use to help in family therapy and couples' therapy. These include Compassionate Communications, Attachment Theory, the 5 Love Languages, Satir family sculpting, genograms, and the Gottman Method. Clients may improve couples and family relationships by learning and using Compassionate Communications (Non-violent Communications www.cnvc.org ), or by using the 5 love languages, integrating information about attachment styles, and the Gottman Method techniques to enhance relationship satisfaction.

Taking small steps to change your thoughts & actions, you can transform your life & relationships. My clients can expect to gain hope, validation of feelings, strength to take steps forward to heal from unresolved childhood issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief. I help guide clients to change core negative beliefs, replace them with healthier beliefs, develop healthy coping skills and habits, learn & practice ways to improve overall well-being & functioning.

*I am not an MD and cannot prescribe medications. I am licensed in CA and DE but am only accepting CA patients at this time.

About Insurance, Client Portals Electronic Records and Billing:
If you would like to verify private medical insurance coverage prior to appointments and set up credit card profile for copayments, please go to Headway Provider portal or Grow Therapy portals. Please verify that Headway or Grow Therapy can process your insurance with me at provider info & insurance verification.  I also accept Cencal and some EAP programs that may not be listed with Headway Provider or Grow Therapy.

Most Telehealth and in-person appointments, consents, releases of information, electronic health records, and any homework assignments for reading or journaling will be maintained using Simple Practice patient portal.

July 2024, I only have a few openings available for new patients via telehealth at this time. I rarely have openings for new in-person counseling appointments available at this time. I am not currently accepting any new formal comprehensive psychological evaluation referrals using insurance, but can provide clinical diagnostic assessments and detailed justification for diagnoses using insurance. 

Also, please check out my book Pawsitive Affirmations from Rescued Pet Therapy Dogs on Amazon.

If this is an emergency, call 911 and SLO MHET Available 24/7 at 1 (800) 838 -1381 for psychiatric emergency response team (PERT) in SLO. 

Additional crisis support at: 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 988 - Chat online - Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 - Trans Lifeline - Call 1-877-565‑8860 - The Trevor Project - Call 1-800-246‑7743 - Text "START" to 678-678 - Chat online - Veterans Crisis Line - Call 988, then PRESS 1 - Text 838255 - Chat online - Whatsapp - Crisis Text Line

Links to CBT, DBT, ACT, and other free handouts and worksheets for supplements to therapy sessions:

CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets and info - CBT Worksheets | Therapist Aid 

DBT info & worksheets - Resources - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Tools 

Psychology Tools CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets & info - Worksheets - Psychology Tools 

CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets & info - CCI - Self Help Resources for Mental Health Problems 

CRISIS RESOURCES

For free and confidential support 24/7, please contact the following: 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988, or visit www.988lifeline.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), text LOVEIS to 22522, or visit www.thehotline.org

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor, or visit www.crisistextline.org

SLO County Mobile Mental Health Emergency Response Team (MHET) San Luis Obispo County Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) | Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) (t-mha.org) 1-800-838-1381 

Trans Lifeline Call 877-565-8860, or visit www.translifeline.org

TrevorLifeline for LGBTQ Youth Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or visit www.thetrevorproject.org.


OTHER RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL -- YES, I listed way too many but there are so many great resources (and those that aren't) on the Internet I wanted to be thorough! 

Communication, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Relationships Links: The Center for Nonviolent Communication | Center for Nonviolent Communication (cnvc.org) - 5 Satir Categories for Understanding Communication Styles (sourcesofinsight.com) - The Gottman Institute https://www.gottman.com - The 5 Love Languages: How to Receive and Express Love (verywellmind.com) - Your Complete Non-Violent Communication Guide (positivepsychology.com)

Transitions Mental Health Association links: Workshops and Classes | Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) (t-mha.org) TMHA Growing Grounds Nursery volunteer and employment opportunities: Growing Grounds Farm & Nursery | Transitions Mental Health Association (t-mha.org) Supported Employment | Transitions Mental Health Association (t-mha.org) employment opportunities for those with mental health issues 

SLO County Behavioral Health Department Behavioral Health - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov) 

SLO County Crisis and Stabilization Unit Crisis Stabilization Unit - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov) 

Tri Counties Regional Center (tri-counties.org) support services for individuals and parents of children with development disabilities COPE IOP intensive outpatient program Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Program - Cottage Health 

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County | (hospiceslo.org)

GALA (galacc.org) for Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Questioning, Queer Support resources Resources - GALA (galacc.org)

Suggested Autism Related Web Sites  - 

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders | CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC is working to find out how many children have ASDs, discover the risk factors, and raise awareness of the signs. www.cdc.gov https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html 

Is My Child Autistic? Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms Test - ADDitude Symptom Tests [Self-Test] Is My Child Autistic? Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder If your child is acquiring social and communication skills slower than his or her peers, take this self-test for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and then share the results with a mental health professional for evaluation. www.additudemag.com https://www.additudemag.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-symptoms-test-children/?src=embed_link 

Autism Diagnosis - Association for Science in Autism Treatment-asatonline.org Research indicates that early autism diagnosis is critically important. Parents and caregivers should be aware of some of the earliest signs of autism.  

Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Online Course | Center for Parent Information and Resources The National Professional Development Center on ASD developed foundational information on Autism Spectrum Disorders including recommended and evidence-based practices for early identification and diagnosis, as well as for intervention and education. www.parentcenterhub.org https://www.parentcenterhub.org/foundations-of-autism-course/

Autism Speaks Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and families www.autismspeaks.org www.AutismSpeaks.org 

The Autism Research Institute ARI works to advance the understanding of autism by funding research and facilitating education on its causes and the potential treatments. Home | www.autism.org  

Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Center for Parent Information and Resources National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders’ 2014 update on evidence-based practices for children and youth with autism. www.parentcenterhub.org https://www.parentcenterhub.org/evidence-based-practices-autism/ 

HELPFUL YOUTUBE LINKS

Links to improve Communication and Relationships -  (117) CNVC org Session #1 Introduction Nonviolent Communication Training Course Marshall Rosenberg - YouTube - (117) The Gottman Institute - YouTube - (117) How Not to Be Defensive in Relationships - YouTube - (117) The School of Life - YouTube 

Links to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy skills - 

(108) Psych Hub - YouTube - (108) 

Therapy in a Nutshell - YouTube - (108) 

getselfhelp - YouTube - (108) 

Self-Help Toons - YouTube(108) 

Therapist Aid - YouTube - (108) 

DBT-RU - YouTube - (108) Psychotherapy Academy - YouTube - (108) 

The Mental Health Toolbox - YouTube - (108) 

Dr. Russ Harris - Acceptance Commitment Therapy - YouTube - (108) 

Qualia Counselling Services - YouTube - (108) 

Barbara Heffernan - YouTube -(108) Dr. Tracey Marks - YouTube - (108) 

The Holistic Psychologist - YouTube - (117) 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - YouTube - (117) 

The Lukin Center - YouTube - (117) 

PsychotherapyNet - YouTube - (117) 

Accept Yourself and All Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Emotions with Dr. Steven Hayes and Luke Iorio - YouTube - (117) 

The Zen Social Worker - YouTube

Kids and teens links to mindfulness, stress reduction, anger management, ADHD, social anxiety, and more - (115) Mindful Kids - YouTube  - (115) Cosmic Kids Yoga - YouTube - (115) Self-Awareness for Kids - YouTube - (115) GoNoodle | Get Moving - YouTube - (115) Kreative Leadership - YouTube - (115) The Partnership In Education - YouTube - (115) Mylemarks - YouTube - (117) Navigating Teen Life - YouTube  - (115) Mental Health Center Kids - YouTube - (115) The Mindfulness Teacher - YouTube (115) Psych2Go - YouTube - (115) AboutKidsHealth - YouTube - (117) How to ADHD - YouTube - (117) Magnus Nordmo - YouTube   - (117) Flaxseeds & Fairytales - Guided Meditations - YouTube 

Somatic Processing Techniques and Yoga Therapy - 

Somatic Full Practice (JHU) - YouTube (115) 

Hannah Uiri - YouTube - (115) 

Yoga for Anxiety | Trauma Informed Yoga - YouTube

(115) Somatic Grounding Exercise - YouTube - (115) 

Somatic Full Practice #1: Body Scan - YouTube - (115)

Essential Somatics - YouTube - (115) 

How To Do A Vagus Nerve Massage - YouTube - (115)

 Somatic Practice for Trauma and Stress Release - YouTube - (115) 

Peter Levine's Secret to Releasing Trauma from the Body - YouTube - (115) 

The Three Steps of Letting Go, with Tara Brach - YouTube - (115) 

Healing the Nervous System From Trauma: Somatic Experiencing - YouTube - (115) How to Release Emotions Trapped in Your Body 10/30 

How to Process Emotions Like Trauma and Anxiety - YouTube - (115)

 1 Intro to Somatics Course | Stress Tension Patterns | Lesson 1 of the Free Somatics Course - YouTube - (115)

 2 Look Inward Assessment Chapter 2 of Somatics Basics Course with Eric Cooper - YouTube - (115) 

How Limbic System Therapy Can Help Resolve Trauma - YouTube - (115) 

Bessell van der Kolk: Overcome Trauma With Yoga - YouTube - (115) 

6 ways to heal trauma without medication | Bessel van der Kolk | Big Think - YouTube 

Emotional Freedom Technique EFT Tapping resource links - (116) The Tapping Solution - YouTube - (116) Tapping To Heal The Inner Child and Letting Go Of Shame | Tapping With Renee - YouTube - (116) The Surprising Power of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) #IATE - YouTube - (116) How to use EFT Tapping to Accelerate Healing | Jack Canfield - YouTube - (116) Feeling Triggered: EFT- Tapping with Julie Schiffman - YouTube - (116) EFT Tapping Sequence - YouTube  - (116) How to Do EFT - YouTube - (116) EFT: The Basic Recipe by Founder Gary Craig - YouTube  

Polyvagal Exercises to Release Stress and Anxiety - (108) Vagus Nerve Activation | 10 Minute Daily Routines - YouTube - (108) How To Do A Vagus Nerve Massage -  (108) Polyvagal Theory in Action: 3D Example of the Nervous System with Ventral and Dorsal Vagal Systems - YouTubeFive Tips for Boosting your Vagus Nerve - YouTube - (108) Vagus Nerve Reset To Release Trauma Stored In The Body (Polyvagal Exercises) - YouTube - (108) 6-Minutes of Movement to Heal Vagus Nerve and Increase Resilience - YouTube(108) Vagus Nerve Stimulation – 3 Tricks to Stop Anxiety Fast - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Theory explained. Somatic Consent Engagement System and Social Engagement System. - YouTube - (108) 9 Facts about the Vagus Nerve that you need to know now! - YouTube - (108) How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Mental Health | Balancing Your Nervous System - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Breathing Practice 1: Cranial Base & Jaw - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Breathing Practice 2: Social Engagement System - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Playbook Breathing Practice 4: Sacral Connections - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Playbook Breathing Practice 5: Sensory-motor Cues - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Playbook 7: Brainwash Sequence - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Playbook 8: Polyvagal Penguin Sequence - YouTube - (108) Polyvagal Playbook 9: Diaphragm Hugs - YouTube - (108) Meditation Relaxation and the Vagus Nerve - YouTube 

EMDR Related Links - (108) The Butterfly Hug - YouTube - (108) "Resource Tapping for Trauma" Seminar with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. - YouTube - (108) Installing Resources: An Attachment-Focused EMDR™ In-session Demonstration - YouTube - (108) Monkey Tap with Dr. Jamie Marich - YouTube - (108) Light/Color Stream with Dr. Jamie Marich - YouTube - (108) Developing resources in EMDR Therapy Preparation Phase - YouTube - (108) EMDR Container Exercise - YouTube - (108) Calm Safe Place & Container: EMDR Therapy Preparation Telehealth Demo - YouTube - (108) EMDR Core Beliefs - YouTube 

Meditation Links (108) Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Feeling Overwhelmed - Calm Anxiety and Stress - YouTube -(108) Guided Mindfulness Meditation to Relax and be Calm - YouTube - (108) Mental and Physical Relaxation (Remastered) - YouTube - (108) A Trip to the Beach (Remastered) - YouTube(108) Tension Relaxation (Remastered) - YouTube(108) Autogenic Stress Relief (Remastered) - YouTube - (108) Steven Halpern: Guided Mindfulness Meditation - YouTube(108) Daily Meditation - YouTube - (108) Self-Healing Vol. 2 (Pt. 2) w/ Subliminal Affirmations by Steven Halpern - YouTube - (108) Doc Snipes - YouTube - (108) Depression Meditation with Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes - YouTube - (108) Anxiety Meditation with Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes - YouTube(108) Fall Asleep Fast with Sleep Talk Down Guided Meditation | Sanctuary Sleep - YouTube - (108) Guided Sleep Meditation for a Positive Mindset, Sleep Talk-Down With Affirmations - YouTube - (108) Sleep- its going to be ok - Guided sleep meditation with music - YouTube - (108) 3-Minute Guided Gratitude Meditation - YouTube - (108) Morning Positive Affirmations ~ A 10 minute guided meditation - YouTube - (108) Guided Meditation - White Light for Healing Alignment & Revitalisation - YouTube - (108) White Light of Protection - Guided Meditation for Protection & Healing | Healing Light Energy - YouTube - (108) Guided Morning Meditation | GO EASY ON YOURSELF | Short Meditation to Start Your Day - YouTube - (108) Guided Sleep Meditation | DEEP HEALING: YOUR INNER SANCTUARY | Sleep Hypnosis + Affirmations - YouTube - (108) Letting Go: A Guided Meditation, The Magic Book, Spoken Word Guided Visualization, Waterfall Relax - YouTube - (108) Healing Waterfall Guided Meditation HD 1080p - YouTube - (108) GRAMMY® Nominated DEEP ALPHA (Part 1) - YouTube - (108) Study Music Alpha Waves: Relaxing Studying Music, Brain Power, Focus Concentration Music, ☯161 - YouTube - (117) Emotional Eating Meditation | Guided Meditation to Stop Stress Eating - YouTube - (117) Jon Kabat-Zinn, Guided Mindfulness Meditation, Series 1, Sitting Meditation - YouTube - (117) Tension Relaxation (Remastered) - YouTube - (117) Calming the Mind Meditation - Ocean Sunset (20 min Guided) - YouTube

ADHD Related Sites - (117) ADDitude Magazine - YouTube - (25) Why ADHD Brains Are So (HEY LOOK BALLOON!) Impulsive - YouTube(25) ADHD and Motivation - YouTube - (25) Why I Can't Remember Things -- How ADHD Affects Working Memory - YouTube DR. SNIPES - (25) 10 Tips and Strategies for Increasing Motivation in People with ADHD - YouTube - (25) 8 Goals and Tips for Addressing ADHD Symptoms - YouTube(25) Evidence Based Treatments for ADHD - YouTube SPROUTS - (25) ADHD: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions - YouTube JUMO - (25) Understanding ADHD (for ages 7-12) - Jumo Health - YouTube Neuro Transmissions (25) Neuroscience of ADHD - YouTube ASAP Science - (25) Is ADHD An Advantage? - YouTube (25) Making ADHD your Superpower | George Cicci | TEDxWVU - YouTube - (25) Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava - YouTube - (115) AboutKidsHealth - YouTube - (117) How to ADHD - YouTube - (117) Magnus Nordmo - YouTube 

Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorder Related Links - (117) ADDitude Magazine - YouTube - (117) How to spot autism in High Masking Autistic Women - What’s behind the mask? - YouTube - (117) Autistic Meltdowns in a Female Adult | AUTISM IN GIRLS - YouTube - (117) Could It Be Aspergers? - YouTube - (117) Sleep Disorders and Asperger's Syndrome with Dr. Ted Kremer - YouTube - (117) Improving Aspergers/Autism – ASD - YouTube - (117) Aspergers Symptoms In Adults (9 YOU NEED To Know!) - YouTube - (117) ASPERGERS MELTDOWNS: 5 Tips YOU Need! - YouTube - (117) Autism: how anxiety affects everything - Sarah Hendrickx - YouTube – (117) Sarah Hendrickx talks about Autism, sex and relationships - YouTube - (117) AUTISTIC RELATIONSHIPS: 10 Tips for Neurotypical Partners in Neurodiverse Relationships 🤟❤️‍🔥 - YouTube - (117) Tips For Romantic Relationships With Autistic Partners| Purple Ella - YouTube - (117) How to Know if Someone With Autism Loves You - YouTube - (117) Understanding Autistic Mental Health - YouTube - (117) Neurodivergent Magic - YouTube

10 Best Mental Health Apps according to VeryWellMind

12 best apps for ADHD according to PsychCentral

Other Agencies: 

CHILD ABUSE OR ELDER ABUSE OR IMPAIRED ADULT ABUSE REPORTING 

Contact Social Services

Child Hotline Information:

  • If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911
  • To report suspected child abuse or neglect call the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline at (805) 781-KIDS (5437) or toll free 1-800-834-KIDS (5437)

Adult Hotline Information:

  • If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911
  • To report suspected elder abuse or neglect call the Adult Services Hotline at (805) 781-1790 during regular business hours, or after business hours call (844) 729-8011

SLO area psychiatrists and neurologist accepting CENCAL: 

Psychiatrists 

Abdellatif Anthony Aichouri, MD Psychiatrist for adults & kids/teens at Peaceful Mind, Inc. - 3220 S Higuera St #306, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: (805) 541-5055 FAX: (805) 541-5075 

Mary Garret, NP Psychiatric nurse practitioner for adults & kids/teens - Pacific Psychiatry, Inc. – at https://pacificpsychiatry.com/ at 1551 Bishop St Ste 150, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 541-6000 FAX: (805) 541-6001 

Neurologist 

Dr. Debra Balke, MD Pediatric Neurologist specializing in ADHD & Autism, 1320 Las Tablas Rd Suite E Templeton (805) 434-0960 FAX: (805) 434-0978

For other psychiatrists and neurologists - please call the mental health or physician referral number on the back of your insurance card and consult with your primary care physician for referrals.