Treatment Modalities
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 toward valued goals.​​​​
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ACT also places emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is used to shape behavioral change in relationships.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Gottman Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) are evidence-based interpersonal therapies.
IPT focuses on mood related to attachment theory and works on grief, disputes, role transitions, and making or maintaining relationships.
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Gottman and EFT are used to help clients identify barriers in their intimate relationships and ways to enhance these relationships. ​
RO DBT
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is an evidenced-based therapy used for disorders of overcontrol by targeting loneliness.​​
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Treatment focuses on enhancing 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. ​
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Specialties
Mood &
Thought
Disorders​
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Anxiety & Overthinking
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Depression
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OCD
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Bipolar
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Schizophrenia Spectrum​​
Personalities​​
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Avoidant Personality (AvPD)
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Obsessive Compulsive Personality (OCPD)
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Schizoid Personality
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Maladaptive Perfectionism
Eating & Substance Use Disorders
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Anorexia, Orthorexia
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ARFID
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Bulimia
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Binge Eating
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Body Image
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​Substance Use & Chemical Dependency
Relationships
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Loneliness
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Social signaling
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People pleasing
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Role disputes​
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Role transitions
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Communication
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Attachment
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.
What is Overcontrol?
Behaviors
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Cautious & Avoid risk
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Procrastinate or Overwork
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Delay impulses & Goal driven
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Mask either positive or negative emotions
Emotions
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Irritability
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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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Criticism & Judgment
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Distrust
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Rumination
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Rigid thinking
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Detail Focused
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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.
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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
Meet Your Therapist
I have extensive training in treatment for emotional overcontrol and interpersonal relationships. Treatment approaches of ACT & RO DBT improve coping with thoughts, emotions, and aim to enhance relationships. I am trained in many interpersonal therapy styles that address attachment, loneliness, communication and expression of emotions.
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I specialize in working with adults with maladaptive perfectionism and disorders of emotional overcontrol. These can include chronic anxiety, depression, social anxiety, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, and eating disorders.
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Additionally, as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor & Chemical Addiction Specialist, I work with substance use disorders and how they present as emotion suppression strategies.
I have worked in all levels of care, from Inpatient Psychiatric & Detox, Residential Eating Disorder treatment, PHP/IOP, and Outpatient.
My therapy style is supportive, interactive, goal-focused, and educational. I focus on providing compassionate care and openness for my clients while challenging them to explore options, new skills, communication, and behaviors.
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My clients typically track their moods and thoughts, have homework, and work through evidence-based models with me.
Most of my clients see me for individual counseling and attend a series of psychoeducation-focused classes to learn interpersonal skills, mindfulness, and how to handle thoughts and emotions.
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Therapy with me focuses heavily on processing interpersonal relationships, exploring the sense of self, and finding meaning and purpose.
Valerie Akins
LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Contact me to learn more about upcoming groups:
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RO DBT refresher courses
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ACT groups
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Interpersonal Process groups
Insurances Accepted
In-Network With:
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Aetna & Aetna Medicare
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Ambetter
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BCBS & BCBS Medicare
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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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United HealthCare/UBH, Optum, UMR, Oscar, UHC Medicare​​
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Using insurance means you will have a mental health diagnosis submitted to the insurance provider.​​
Out-of-Network
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
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Insurance companies may reimburse a portion for out-of-network providers. Check with you insurance policy to verify coverage.
I can provide you a superbill to submit to your insurance provider.
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Insurance may also approve a single-case agreement for specialists who are out-of-network.
Self-Pay Rates
$150 per 45 minute session
$175 per 55 minute session
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$50 per group session
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Sliding Scale rates offered
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Get in Touch
Address
6010 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano TX
(Telehealth Only Provider)
Phone
469-756-0880