Individual and Family Psychotherapy

Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDD) have extraordinary challenges coping with everyday concerns and longstanding problems. Therapy works by helping the adult look at his/her thoughts, feelings and behaviors in a supportive environment. I utilize several best practice approaches emphasizing self-determination, positivity and skill development including: anger and stress management, friendship building, assertiveness training, relaxation techniques. All therapy is adapted to match the individual’s level of understanding. The goal is to assist the adult with developing self-management skills, set their own goals and figure out their own lives.

Psychotherapy with an adult with IDD is enhanced when family members or residential staff are able to take part.  An important aspect of therapy is learning new skills; in order for these new skills to take hold, they must be practiced and supported in the natural environment.  Family members and/or caregiver staff are an essential part of the process and may be asked to help out with making sure the person gets the most out of treatment.  It takes patience when teaching and learning new skills; sometimes things take longer or are more difficult while the person is learning.

Psychotherapy also extends to family members—parents, siblings and extended family.  Having a child with a disability is like running a marathon.  Families will face many issues throughout the lifetime of their child with IDD—issues with their child’s education, health, emotional and social well-being, to name a few.  Families usually experience sadness and heightened anxiety as they anticipate a future for their child, while simultaneously doing their best to cope with daily crises.  These painful feelings need a safe place to be processed and understood.  Psychotherapy offers a place to sort out these feelings and come to terms with the job of managing day-to-day living as well as the challenges ahead.  My focus in psychotherapy sessions is to help you create a balance between the challenges of raising a special needs child with the joy of parenting such an extraordinary individual.  

 

Our son has benefited from the sage advice of Kathy Honeyman over nearly ten years. She has helped him break down problems into smaller parts that are understandable, and develop strategies to help him change behaviors. Kathy has always engaged with him respectfully to help him set goals for himself that have evolved as he has matured into adulthood. We all appreciate her role in his life. Our son knows when he is “stuck”, it’s time to meet with Kathy!

-Parent of adult client

I am so grateful that Kathy moved to North Carolina and provide exceptional services for our families. Kathy is very knowledgeable and she understand the issues we face. Kathy will also provide great options and solutions because....Kathy truly cares for our families. Life would not be the same without you Kathy. Thank you for who you are and all you do!

-Parent of adult client

My 23-year-old daughter has participated in multiple small group sessions with Kathy Honeyman. When the most recent session was over, she told me there is another session beginning in the fall and she wanted to attend.  When I asked why she said, "I like going to see Mrs. Honeyman and my friends." Meeting with a group of peers has helped my daughter to understand that others have some of the same struggles she has.

-Group Participant mother

Our son has worked with Kathy on both an individual and group setting. Because of her work with him, we have seen a great improvement in both his coping and social skills.

-Bryan S.

My meetings with Kathy Honeyman and the group of other participants over the past year have helped me learn how to make and keep friends, socialize with my coworkers, and understand more about personal relationships.

-Ryan A, Raleigh.

Several of the individuals I support have attended counseling sessions with Kathy Honeyman. She is incredibly person centered and works with each individual to address their specific need. I have recommended and will continue to recommend Kathy to individuals, parents and other service providers.

-Ann Chludzinski, QP, Residential Support Services

With over 40 years of experience as a professional in the IDD field, I have not associated with anyone who is more dedicated to the assurance of human rights and dignity than Kathy Honeyman. Because of this she is able to connect to the people she counsels in a very practical and effective way that makes them feel safe and promotes self worth

-Rick Chappell, Executive Director, Residential Support Services of Wake County, Inc.

Kathy Honeyman is an integral part of the ID world.She has many years of experience with working with this population, and this reflects in the services she provides. She has a true understanding of the issues this population faces.She upholds high morals and ethics and truly sees her clients as they are.She empowers individuals, helping to improve their lives and also helps them understand abstract concepts like accountability which helps foster motivation for healthy changes. She uses a whole systems approach and is strength-based in her practice.She also facilitates appropriate social groups on topics important to this population which further elicits motivation for change through peer support and professional guidance.I only wish we had more Kathys in the world!

-Denise Monkovich, QP

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