Teri Bistarkey profile image

Teri Bistarkey

Teri Bistarkey

LCSW
25 years of experience
Authentic
Warm
Empowering
Virtual

Feeling like you can't quite keep it together? Sometimes we get overwhelmed with the stresses in life and need help sorting them out. Maybe you've just hit a low point or feeling overly worried and anxious. Talking to a therapist has helped many people who are feeling the same way. The last few years have been more than difficult, and people are struggling. I help people figure out what's working well for them and what's not. Then we explore together the many strengths and skills you already have and can use to overcome the problems life throws at us. I teach new skills and introduce new tools that you can use to feel better and get your life back on track. I have many years of experience working with people with depression and anxiety as well as bipolar and schizophrenia. I am accepting of varying types of diversity and use solution focused methods with compassion and caring to create and meet the therapeutic goals that are unique to you. Starting therapy can be hard but it can change your life. I would love to work with you to start that process and look forward to meeting you.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session we will get to know each other a bit and explore your situation. I’ll ask you about past treatments, both successful and ineffective. I want to understand your preferences and help you set some treatment goals. I will explain my approach and what to expect in future sessions. If you’re comfortable and feel I understand what you need, we will set up a schedule and make plans for the work we will be doing together.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Compassion and understanding are two areas of strength I bring to my practice. I also appreciate a sense of humor. I have worked with a wide variety of people and have specialized for many years treating seriously mentally ill adults in a community setting. I find the best in people and believe accomplishing goals, self-care and being mindful of the good things in life are vital to a healthy life.

About Teri Bistarkey

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Address

314 East Atlantic Street, South Hill, VA, USA

Appointments

Virtual & in-person

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, makes connections between our thoughts feelings and behaviors to help us better understand our habits, both healthy and unhealthy. These connections impact our relationships, how we communicate, interpret social cues and react to other people. Thinking and feeling are so interconnected that closely examining how our thoughts influence our mood can help develop insight into what we need to heal from trauma, control our tempers, calm feelings of anxiety and care for ourselves when we’re feeling depressed. Paying attention to our physical sensations when we become angry or anxious can signal the need to use grounding techniques to calm our breathing and slow our heart rate, avoiding a full-blown panic attack. It can also give us time to think before we speak angrily toward the people who are important to us. I provided education and encouragement to use these tools, evaluate what’s working and help you identify the changes you want to make.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

Sometimes we just need help solving a problem and have no one in our life who is objective enough to give us sound advice. Using a solution focused approach, I collaborate with you to identify a problem, identify your past successes, and use your problem-solving skills to help you construct a practical and sustainable solution. Problem solving can be a lot of fun. Taking something that feels overwhelming, breaking it down into smaller parts, brainstorming solutions and coming up with actions you can take in the real world can be very satisfying. Sometimes it takes a few tries and having the support of a therapist to bounce ideas off of, report on results and develop new strategies, all the while cheering you on, can often times be all you really need.