About

Welcome to the Find A Therapist community! My name is Celia McGowan and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Alabama. I have been providing services in the area of therapeutic foster and to individuals with various medical issues for 20 years. I graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2002 with a Master in Social Work. I earned a Bachelor Degree in Human Services from the University of South Alabama. Early in my clinical career, I worked with therapeutic foster children providing education to parent dealing with various issues. Since 2005, I have been working in the medical field with families at a local health department and work with individuals dealing with Chronic Kidney Disease and End Stage Kidney Disease. These patients have a lot of issues with depression and anxiety.

I focus on helping clients setting achievable goals. Therefore, I am client centered. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This modality focuses on practical approaches to problem-solving. CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns and or behaviors. The goals are to change individual’s patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind difficult situations, and so change the way they feel. This helps people identify faulty or unhealthy ways of thinking and learn better ways of coping with life's full variety of stressors.

I understand seeking help can be a difficult and vulnerable step to take. There is a lot of stigma associated with counseling and mental health issues. Exploring the healing process or enriching one’s personal growth, first and foremost, requires establishing a trusting and an emotional supportive relationship. Change is not easy, but it is possible.