Rhonda Gist

Qualifications & Experience

I’ve been in the counseling field for over 22 years. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Amberton University. I am also a Certified LPC Supervisor.

My Call to Christian Counseling

After taking a family member to a counselor when she was twelve and seeing how much it helped her, I decided I wanted to become a counselor.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love to volunteer in the community, watch sports (especially football), attend plays, and spend time with family and friends.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Lifespan Integration
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma

Grief and Loss

Grief is often not well understood. It is a very complicated and ongoing process. Grief is personal and different for everyone and every relationship. There is a long adjustment following the death of someone you love, and often it is difficult to find support as those close to you are also grieving. Understanding grief better and developing your own personal coping skills is essential and can be accomplished in counseling.

Anxiety

Anxiety is at an all-time high in our society. Learning what is causing your anxious feelings, how to calm the body’s reactions, and how to reframe your thoughts are important techniques. It is also important to understand how to protect yourself from aspects of society that may create anxiety. You were not born anxious, so let’s explore where the anxiety came from, when it started, and what you can do to stop it.

Aging and Geriatric Issues

Whether it is your parents, grandparents, or yourself that you are concerned about, aging well can be a challenge. The issue of balancing physical and emotional concerns can strain the best of family relationships. Knowledge regarding options of care, clear communication of feelings, and making decisions that everyone involved will accept often require the help of a counselor. I would be honored to walk with you down this path.

Depression

Feeling depressed happens to so many and for so many reasons, and Christian counseling can help. Depression is more than just feeling sad. It doesn’t just go away. However, as your counselor, I can help you develop lifestyle changes to overcome depression as well as try to determine the cause of the depression. There are also protective factors that can be incorporated into your life to prevent any future re-occurrence episodes of depression.

Marriage Counseling

Healthy relationships are created and nurtured, and require skill. No matter how long you have been married, you can always learn and improve your marriage. I enjoy working with couples and believe any marriage can be saved when both parties are willing. Focusing on God rather than each other is often the first step in healing a marriage.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Plano – Wednesday and Thursday
• Online Counseling – Wednesday and Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.