Learn More About Me

Welcome! My name is Cicely. Here are some common questions about me!

​

Who are you?

It depends on where you catch me. Mom, Wife, Counselor, Supervisor, Lifetime Learner ... former teen. Humor is my lifeline - it has been a lifesaver! Comedy and music have been integral to my healing and in my aim to help my clients find healing. I proudly represent several under-represented populations (professional females, BIPOC professionals, LBGTQA+, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and so on). My trauma narrative and teen experiences set the trajectory for me to enter the helping profession. 

​

What is your education and professional background?

I am a Master’s level clinical mental health counselor. I earned my Masters Of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Kutztown University after earning my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Albright College. *I am seeking licensure, supervised by Ryan Bowers, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CAADC. I have been working in the social services field since 2017, after leaving a corporate administrator position of over a decade. I have spent time in Case Management, Family Based Counseling, Multi-systemic Therapy (children and families managing disruptive behaviors), and  Substance Use Disorder treatment, and most recently, a school-based supervisor and therapist in the Reading School District. I have worked with diagnoses such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, ODD, conduct disorder, and others. 

​

What kind of counselor are you?

I view my clients and their stories through a Narrative Therapy lens; however, I use interventions from all theories. Most people are familiar with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which I utilize, in addition to TF-CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and others. Individuals are not "one size fits all"; therefore, neither is counseling. I tell my clients, "I will never tell you what you should or should not do - how would I know?" What I will do is explore the options and walk through scenarios with honesty and without judgment. I bring many of my experiences into the counseling session to normalize some of those feelings that can create guilt and shame to show that vulnerability is beautiful. 

​

Whom do you work with?

Most of my experience has been with individuals struggling with substance use disorder and families trying to manage teens with disruptive behaviors. I work with teens struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and anger. I conceptualize our conflicts through a lens of trauma-informed care. There are typically multiple sources of first-hand, vicarious, and generational trauma through which my clients are navigating. My research interest is around diversity and multicultural trauma, specifically in the helping profession. Although these are my specialty areas, I work with individuals from most ages and backgrounds. It is okay if you are not a teen; that is what the free consultation is for! Reach out, and see if I can make a meaningful impact in your life. 

 

Are you active in the community or Professional Organizations?
Absolutely! Berks County is my hometown; born in Reading and raised in the local suburbs. Activism and justice run deep in my DNA. I try to stay involved in the community and support the healing of our city. Follow Cicely Holston Counseling on Facebook to see what community event I'm participating in next!

 

 

To schedule a free consultation, please visit my homepage and use the link provided.