100% virtual, Neurodiverse-Affirming therapy for Ohio and North Carolina residents.
Not currently accepting new therapy clients.
Hi there!
This is your story. We each have one. Sometimes it can feel like the story is no longer ours when we are bogged down by life stuff. Many people will come to therapy when their stories are at a climax - when they are at their breaking point. When they need help navigating their narrative because they're feeling lost.
Maybe you're not yet at your breaking point. Maybe you're in that rising action stage of the plot, and you are starting to notice that things are okay but not great. You're looking for a second pair of eyes to help you write your next chapter so it goes in the direction you want it to.
No matter where you are in your story, I can be your co-author, your scribe, your audience. And you can change your narrative to one in which you're not simply surviving. You are thriving.
Rising Action Counseling, LLC is an online therapy practice offering real connection. While brick and mortar offices can be great, online therapy is a way for the therapist to hold space for you while respecting that ultimately, it's your space that matters most.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Rising Action Counseling holds, as a central component to our mission, an appreciation and respect for diversity and equality. As part of this mission, of promoting and advocating for the dignity of others, Rising Action Counseling seeks regular continuing education/training on these topics and actively pursues social justice efforts. Rising Action Counseling believes that dignity is inherent within all humanity, and diversity is something that enriches our world and should be honored, protected and cultivated.
I am the owner and solo practitioner for Rising Action Counseling. I started this private practice because as a therapist, we're trained to meet clients where they are at. How better to meet you where you are than to connect in a way that lets you stay in your own space?
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person myself, I specialize in working with neurodivergent
adolescents and adults, using a neurodiversity-affirming lens. This means that I view an individual's life experiences,
such as being autistic, ADHD, or having learning differences, as valid brain styles, and I do not seek to "fix" you, because you are not broken.
Working as a professional counselor since 2015 I have had experience in multiple settings with a variety of clients. From working in a university counseling center to providing treatment for substance use in a residential facility to seeing kids and their families in a school-based setting, I have learned that each of us has a story to tell. I have been humbled by the stories others have shared with me, and these shared experiences in therapy have also contributed to my own story.
We will use a Narrative approach in your therapy. You are in charge of your story. While you may not be able to write in a time machine and travel back to change the past, I can help you rewrite your story in a way that is meaningful and lets you move forward. We will also pull from Positive Psychology, which is a strengths-based approach that takes the conversation of "What's wrong with you?" to "What's strong with you?" When we elevate our strengths, we may find that our challenges naturally recede. We can also incorporate other therapy approaches, including trauma-informed perspectives, self-compassion and mindfulness, and interventions aimed at understanding and regulating our nervous systems.
The most important thing is bringing to our sessions what you like and what is meaningful to you.
Counseling can prove beneficial to different people at various points in their life. Professional counseling offers an opportunity for motivated individuals to seek therapeutic guidance and feedback as they develop the tools to better navigate life. A trained and licensed mental health counselor can act as a sounding board to assist clients in bringing forth their inner strengths and helping them change the direction of their life story.
How does counseling through RAC work?
Rising Action Counseling is an online private practice offering telehealth psychotherapy services. That means that all counseling sessions are conducted online and virtually through a video platform.
How do I get started?
If you are considering therapy, simply call or email me to schedule your free 20-minute consultation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet with a licensed professional through video and discuss your current needs to see if this is a good fit for you. After this consultation, you may schedule an initial session with me, which is when we will collaborate in assessing your current needs and develop a plan to help you reach your goals. See the Contact section for more info.
What do I need to do before my first appointment?
You will be provided intake paperwork to complete prior to the initial counseling session. Simply send the completed paperwork back to me before you begin your scheduled session.
What do I need to know about payment and insurance?
I accept all major credit cards as well as HSA and FSA cards.
I do not accept insurance for services and am private-pay only.
Insurance companies request specific, personal information in order
to approve services, and this can limit the quality and type of
work we do together. For example, insurance companies require a specific
diagnosis, and they can impose restrictions – such as how much time
you can spend in therapy and what approaches we can use – based on what
the insurance provider deems appropriate for that particular diagnosis.
When you pay out-of-pocket for therapy services, you have increased privacy
regarding your health information, as well as more control in
how you would like to engage in therapy.
While I do not accept insurance, I can provide a superbill once a payment
has been made for a session/service. A superbill is like a receipt that you
can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Every
insurance is different, and while it’s not a guarantee that your insurance
company will reimburse you, I am happy to speak more about this process with
you to decide if this is a good option.
How often should I go to therapy and for how long?
Once we meet to discuss your needs and goals for therapy, we will collaborate to create a counseling plan and schedule that best fits you. During your time in therapy, we will regularly check in with one another to gauge how therapy is progressing.
What are my client rights?
After consenting to therapy, you have the right to start and stop at any time. Your clinician may
make recommendations, such as referring you for a medication consultation, however, it is up to
you whether to accept any referrals or recommendations.
You have the right to confidentiality in therapy, meaning that what you discuss in sessions is
private and solely between you and your therapist. There are exceptions to this, such as in the
event that a client reports child abuse, abuse toward the elderly or abuse toward people with
developmental disabilities.
Once in therapy, you have the right to request your medical records. You have the right to have
your records shared with an outside party, provided that you give written consent.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care
should cost. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
For an extensive list of client rights, please discuss this with your therapist.
60 to 90 minutes each MIGDAS-2 Diagnostic Clinical Interview
3. Feedback & Recommendations
60-minute review session Includes evaluation report and recommended resources
Exploring Your Neurodivergent Journey: My Autism Assessment Process
Are you an adult seeking deeper insights into your unique way of experiencing the world? Do you wonder if your sensory sensitivities, social interactions, communication style, or patterns of interest
align with the autistic experience? My autism assessment process is designed to help you gain greater self-understanding and clarity.
My Approach:
I offer a personalized and collaborative assessment process that focuses on exploring your individual experiences and patterns. This process involves:
Initial Consultation: We''ll begin with a conversation to understand your reasons for seeking this assessment, your personal history, and the specific questions you have. This allows us to determine if this type of assessment is the best fit for your current needs and goals.
In-Depth Interview (Utilizing MIGDAS-2): I conduct a detailed, qualitative interview utilizing the MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition). Having received extensive training in this method and consulted directly with its creator, I use the MIGDAS-2 to thoroughly explore your sensory experiences, communication nuances, social engagement patterns, and the nature of your interests and routines throughout your life. This approach emphasizes your unique perspective and lived experiences.
Online Questionnaires: To gather additional information about autistic traits and tendencies, you will be invited to complete online questionnaires such as the Autism Quotient (AQ), RAADS-R, and/or the CAT-Q. These questionnaires provide valuable self-report data but are not used in isolation for diagnosis.
Review and Collaborative Discussion: Following the interview and review of your questionnaires, we will discuss my observations and how your experiences resonate with characteristics commonly associated with autism. This is a collaborative process aimed at fostering your self-awareness and understanding. You will receive a summary of our discussion and key insights, along with resources and recommendations specifically tailored to your needs.
Important Considerations:
Not a formal diagnostic evaluation: Please note that while my assessment process includes a comprehensive interview utilizing the MIGDAS-2, a well-regarded clinical tool for understanding autistic experiences, it does not currently incorporate standardized behavioral observation measures like the ADOS-2. Therefore, this assessment is focused on self-understanding and exploration, rather than a formal diagnosis that might be required for specific services or accommodations.
Focus on Self-Understanding: The primary goal of this assessment is to provide you with a deeper understanding of your own experiences and patterns, potentially validating your feelings and offering a framework for self-discovery.
Information and Resources: Following the assessment, I can provide you with information about autism, neurodiversity, and relevant resources for further exploration and support in your area.
Referral for Formal Diagnosis: If you are seeking a formal diagnosis for autism, which may be necessary for accessing certain services, supports, or accommodations, I can provide you with referrals to assessors who conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, often involving multidisciplinary teams and standardized assessments.
Who Might Benefit from This Assessment?
This type of assessment may be helpful for adults who:
Suspect they may be autistic and are seeking greater clarity.
Identify with descriptions of autistic traits but have never been formally diagnosed.
Are looking for a deeper understanding of their sensory sensitivities, social interactions, and communication styles.
Want to explore their neurodivergent identity in a supportive and affirming environment.
I am committed to providing a respectful and insightful assessment experience to help you on your journey of self-discovery. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule an initial consultation.
Contact
Not currently accepting new therapy clients.
Email: christina@risingactioncounseling.com
Phone: (740) 231-2188
Mail: P.O. Box 21, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Please allow up to 48 hours to receive a response. I will do my best to
respond to your message as soon as possible. In the event of an emergency,
please call 911, dial 988 to access the National Suicide Prevention Line,
or go to your nearest emergency department.
