Empowerment through Self focuses on mind, body, spirit connection

By Laurie Gordon
FRANKLIN — Tamara Siegel, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, and feels the way she practices sets her apart from others in the field.

"I focus on the mind, body, spirit connection. The mind being the client's mind, improving overall wellness," she said. "The body, examining diet and exercise and developing healthy habits. The spirit connection may include religion, but looks into what is important to the individual, their beliefs. Reflecting on the positive attributes in their life and thing in life that they would like to improve."

Siegel's practice is called Empowerment through Self Psychological Counseling, LLC, and recently opened in Franklin. "I have worked in various agencies and volunteered at a few places," Siegel said, "After much soul-searching and completing my educational requirements, I decided to give back to the community and dive into private practice.

"I use a client-centered approach, meaning I want to know your history, feelings and emotions, while fostering strategies for self-realization," Siegel said. "In this way counseling becomes an assisting process, rather than a dependency association. I strive for the client to find their own way, but at the same time I recognize when direction, guidance, and information are needed. The therapeutic relationship that I develop with the client is our foundation from which to build."

Empowerment through Self Psychological Counseling "allows the individual to develop their inner strength," Siegel said, "I am myself a cancer survivor and have an empathetic genuine concern for the individual, especially an oncology client. My commitment towards my clients is beneficial. I encourage the individual/client to reach paramount wellness."

Siegel describes her counseling environment as safe, non-judgmental, confidential, and in a private setting. "During a counseling session there is: a) self-expression, b) the exploration, reflection, and clarification of feelings, c) a better understandings of self and others, d) the realization of options and consideration of all choices, and e) helpful guidance towards creating and or make changes for a better life," she said.

Siegel said, "My style of counseling is sensitive, and etiology (cause) oriented. I assist the client in looking at the root of disturbance in a non-threatening manner. I stress mindfulness so that self-determination is a reality. Counseling may be a temporary modality to get one’s life back 'on track' or it can be a more continuous process depending on the problem(s) faced and the positive responses desired and accomplished."

For firther information, visit www.empowermentthroughself.org, phone 973-7137055, or e-mail tamara@empowermentthroughself.org. At this time, Siegel is only accepting cash or checks and her rate is $60/session. However she said she will soon be getting in network of many insurance companies. Her practice is located at 58 Big Spring Road in Franklin.