Welcome to the Maitland Counseling web site.  Serving the Greater Orlando community since 1997.

What is Mental Health Counseling?

Your primary care doctor or clergy person may have recommended that you seek counseling concerning some current issues in your life.  If so, this may be the first time you have been encouraged to seek this type of assistance.  Or, perhaps friends and relatives have suggested such a course of action in the past.  Either way, if the idea of mental health counseling is “new” to you, you’d probably like some background information on the process before you make your first appointment!

I am a mental health counselor working in a private practice setting in Maitland, Florida.  I serve a variety of clients, from children and adolescents to older, more mature clients with lots of “life experiences.”  I work with some individuals who have had a long history of mental illness and who have been treated in hospital settings for their condition.  I also work with people who have never been diagnosed with a mental illness or hospitalized, but who are looking to work on particular issues in their lives and set goals to improve their relationships with others. 

Sometimes I work with clients who have a deep spiritual belief system; at other times, I work with those who prefer to leave their spiritual beliefs outside of our sessions.  Some of my clients have identified counseling treatment modalities that work very well for them.  Others come to me with very little knowledge of how counseling works, and we discover a path to wellness together. 

In the beginning of our relationship, sessions are spent gathering information and learning about each other.  You will learn that I like to ask a few questions and then allow my clients to “fill in the blanks” in their own individual ways.  As we get to know one another and you grow more comfortable with the process, I will encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings a little more deeply so that we can gain insights together and being to heal some past hurts.  I usually ask my clients to set some personal goals for the therapeutic process so that we have a way of checking your “progress” as we meet on a regular basis.  At all times, YOU are in charge of the goal-setting and YOU are in charge of your progress.  I will facilitate the therapeutic process by creating a safe environment in which mutual trust allows you to explore some sensitive areas in your life.  But YOU will be doing most of the work! 

I do my best to “de-mystify” the therapeutic process.  When an insight occurs to me about your situation, I will share it with you during the session.  At any point, you may feel free to ask me what I am thinking.  My position is that the therapy session should be one in which you feel comfortable and relaxed, not fearful and anxious.  Even when it is necessary to discuss painful or uncomfortable issues, I hope to create a safe and calming atmosphere. 

Please consider contacting me about working together if you are interested in the counseling process.  I am available most weekdays and some weekends, and my location is convenient to I-4 and 17-92 in Maitland.  Rest assured that all of our communication will be kept strictly confidential according to the counseling code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and the State of Florida Statute 491 pertaining to the counseling profession. 

Call or email me to find out more....

You will be able to contact me at 407-435-3454 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              407-435-3454      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              407-435-3454      end_of_the_skype_highlighting to make an appointment, learn more about counseling, or discuss payment options.

I am also available through the email address elainegfederico@aol.com

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Elaine G. Federico, M.A., N.C.C., L.M.H.C.