*** Waitlist for ACT clients only, RO DBT waitlist. closed
All services are telehealth.
Valerie Akins
LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
I am intensively trained in ACT and level 3 trained in RO DBT. I work adults with disorders of emotional overcontrol, such as chronic anxiety, depression, social phobias, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, anorexia, and perfectionism. I lead skills & education classes to provide guidance of social connection and coping skills.
Additionally, as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, I work with substance use disorders. Disorders of Overcontrol often have a component of maladaptive coping with substance use or disordered eating.
I have worked all levels of care, from Inpatient Psychiatric & Detox, Residential Eating Disorder treatment, PHP/IOP and outpatient. My goal is to provide genuine compassionate care and openness for my clients.
What is ACT?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is an evidence based therapy used to treat a wide array of disorders by improving psychological flexibility.
Treatment focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions as part of the human experience. It uses mindfulness to help clients be present, observe their thinking, open up and take effective action towards valued-goals.
What is RO DBT?
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT), is an evidenced based therapy used for overcontrolled styles of coping by targeting loneliness.
Treatment works to enhance social connection by improving biotemperament (threat sensitivity). This allows more emotional expression, which improves social signaling and connection. Treatment also teaches flexible responding and openness, and practices healthy self-doubt to enhance self-awareness.
Treatment Goals
Openness
Increase openness to emotions, new experiences, unexpected situations, and feedback.
Flexibility
Reduce hyperperfectionism, needs for planning, structure and order.
Social Connection
Improve assertive expression of emotions to others, and build stronger relationships.
Overcontrol is excessive self-control. It is "too much of a good thing." Overcontrol has high threat sensitivity, high restraint of impulses and expressions, and high levels of detail focus.
Overcontrolled clients:
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have rigid thinking and behavior, prefer structure and order
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are cautious and detail focused and tend to be perfectionists
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are hesitant to engage in new experiences, or situations that are unpredictable
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can delay gratification to achieve a goal
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inhibit emotional expressions of either positive or negative emotions
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have low awareness of emotions and tolerate high levels of distress
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struggle to feel truly connected with others
What is Overcontrol?
Behaviors
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Cautious & Risk Averse
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Procrastinate or Overwork
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Delay impulses
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Goal driven
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Inhibit either positive or negative emotions
Emotions
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Bitterness & Cynicism
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Envy & Resentment
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Fear Failure & Rejection
Thoughts
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Perfectionism
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Comparisons
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Self-Judgment
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Distrust
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Rumination
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Rigid thinking
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Detail Focused
FAQ
Insurances Accepted
In-Network With:
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Aetna
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Ambetter
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Humana & Humana Medicare
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Medicare
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Superior (Except Star Plus/Superior Medicaid)
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UHC/UBH, Optum, UMR, Oscar
Out-of-network with:
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Cigna
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Magellan
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Scott & White (BSW)
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Tricare
Out-of-Network
Insurance companies may reimburse a portion for out-of-network providers. Please note, some insurance companies do not reimburse until the deductible is met.
Check with you insurance policy to verify coverage.
I can provide you a superbill to submit to your insurance provider.
Insurance may also approve a single-case agreement for specialist who are out-of-network.
Using Insurance
Using insurance means you will have a mental health diagnosis submitted to the insurance provider.
Self-Pay Rates
$150 per 45 minute session
$175 per 55 minute session
$50 per group session
Sliding Scale rates offered