Counseling can be for anyone that can benefit from extra support in coping. Counseling provides support for those experiencing difficulties in life transitions, unexpected life events, stress, loss/grief, traumatic events experienced in the past or recently, or any challenges that affect a person's ability to cope successfully in a life area. This includes someone with a diagnosed mental illness, without a diagnosed mental illness, or someone that isn't sure how significant what he/she is experiencing is.

Counseling is for anyone that wants to improve how he/she copes.

I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation and will answer any additional questions you might have.

• The initial intake session is $185
• Regular session lasting 45-50 minutes — $145.00
• No show fee (billed for any sessions canceled without a 24 hour notice) — $145.00

Concerns can include (but certainly not limited to): school/job stress, depression, anxiety, communication issues, loneliness, emotional intimacy, anger issues, low self-esteem, trust issues, relationship problems, sleep disruption, stress management, family or personal crises, interpersonal conflict with someone important to you, alcohol or drug use, addiction issues, suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, concern about someone important to you, issues related to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, and other developmental issues.

Significant mental health issues can also be addressed. We can determine if counseling is appropriate for you or if additional support is also needed if your mental health needs would require a higher level of care or medication. I do not provide medication, but I can work with your mental health team to coordinate services if counseling is also needed.

Call (208)856-8776 to schedule an appointment with me. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible Monday through Thursday.

If you have any problems reaching someone by phone, please contact me by email at info@KimberlyLedwa.com.

Monday - Thursday during business hours, I will greet you, and I will offer you tea, coffee, or water. If you have completed the intake paperwork, I will begin processing this and entering any insurance billing information you have. If you have not completed the intake paperwork, you will need to arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment to complete this. While I have met with people before all of this was filled out, some forms are required before a session, and it does limit my ability to have complete information about you. Insurance providers expect an assessment at the first session, and this is difficult without completed intake paperwork.

At your appointment time, I will greet you in the lobby. We will then review the intake information in my private office. We will work together to clarify your concerns and develop a plan to meet your goal(s) in a way that can work for you. I will provide information about the counseling process and answer any questions you have. By the end of this session, we will decide on a general approach to help you. Based on your needs, we will set up additional sessions.

Sessions after this will begin with asking you about any changes that have occurred since the last session. I will ask you if you have an focus for that session. If you are not sure, I am prepared to help you with that since I know what your goals are.

Yes. All conversation and even the fact that you have seen a counselor is kept strictly confidential. With few exceptions, I do not communicate with others without your written consent. The exceptions include information you provide that you plan to hurt yourself or others requiring others to be involved to ensure safety, a court order, or an audit of specific paperwork required by those with an insurance provider to prove services were given. We will review these exceptions during our first session and answer any questions you have. Even with each of the exceptions, your privacy and confidentiality are protected as much as possible.

Individual counseling, couple's counseling, and family counseling to address mental wellness and substance abuse/addiction issues. Crisis support can be provided on a limited basis, depending on immediate availability. Referral options can be provided, as needed.

If it is an emergency, you can call 911 for immediate assistance. If it is not an emergency you may leave a message and someone will contact you within 24 hours Monday through Friday.

View my location on a map by clicking here.

No. Only psychiatrists, medical doctors, physicians assistants, or nurse practitioners can prescribe medication.

Counseling focuses on helping you gain insight, awareness, and needed skills to help you improve mental wellness without medication. However, if you are prescribed medication or need this service, I am supportive of your efforts to meet your goal(s). I can collaborate as needed with your medication provider to assist you with achieving mental wellness. I can provide referrals for medication management, if requested.

Counseling sessions are normally scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending upon the nature of the concern. Sessions are typically 50-55 minutes long. We will monitor your progress and determine when counseling will be completed.

As a counselor, our time is focused solely on you. Friends or family members can offer advice that may be colored by biases, preconceptions, or their own needs. Counselors help you decide what you want to do, provide evidenced-based strategies, and help you gain insight in processing emotions that others may find uncomfortable

I am specifically trained and experienced in helping you increase your mental wellness. I will assist you in meeting your goal(s) with a non-judgmental and objective process that guarantees confidentiality, with the few possible exceptions we will discuss in our first session.

This may be true, especially in the beginning. I understand that it is normal to feel uncomfortable and cautious during the first meeting. I will do my best to create an accepting environment that helps you feel more at ease. As we build a trusting relationship, you will find that it becomes easier to be relaxed and open.

Within 3-4 sessions, most people will feel more comfortable with the process. If, for any reason, you do not feel I am a good fit, I will assist you in finding a counselor that can be helpful to you. It is very important that you feel understood and feel comfortable with your counselor.

No. Counseling is used to help with any of life's challenges or to assist in personal growth. Life experiences can be difficult, especially events we are not prepared to face. Counseling helps with this process and offers emotional support to get through challenges successfully.

Once you decide to do counseling, the process of positive change has begun. In terms of benefiting from counseling I encourage you to:

• Regularly attend your sessions and take an active part in them.
• Be prepared for each session and be ready to focus on a problem or issue.
• Work collaboratively with me and be willing to explore new beliefs and behaviors both within and outside the sessions.
• Be open and honest about how the sessions are going for you, particularly if it is different than what you expected.
• If you do not find an aspect of our sessions helpful, let me know. Your feedback is needed to focus the sessions on what is helpful.

If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call 1-800-273-8255 for free, confidential, anonymous crisis intervention and emotional support with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. If you need immediate assistance, call 911.

Yes. I want you to have a positive counseling experience I encourage you to be very open about what is helpful to you so that we can effectively address your goal(s). Counseling is focused on what helps you. In some cases, this can mean trying a different counselor. I can even assist in helping to refer you to someone that might be a better match.