Counseling options are in-person and Zoom.

Do I have an addiction problem?

General signs of addiction are:

• Lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior
• Decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships
• Ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite the potential consequences
• Physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing a higher dosage for the effect
• Missing money or items
• Continued lying or misrepresentation of facts
• Missing for short or long periods of time
  
• New “friends” that are out of character

Guardian Ad Litem

Ms. Gallagher has been doing Guardian ad Litem work in the surrounding counties for over 20 years. She is committed to the best interest of the children.

Signs of Adults Trauma:

Emotional and Psychological Signs:

• Intrusive thoughts: Recurring, unwanted thoughts, memories, or images related to the trauma.
• Flashbacks: Feeling as if you are reliving the trauma, as if it is happening again.
• Nightmares: Disturbing dreams about the trauma.
• Anxiety and fear: Persistent feelings of anxiety, worry, or panic.
• Hypervigilance: Being constantly on guard, easily startled, and having a heightened sense of danger.
• Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing on tasks, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Emotional numbing: Feeling detached or disconnected from emotions, like a “blank”.
• Social withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions, isolating oneself from others.
• Irritability and anger: Being easily agitated, frustrated, or experiencing outbursts of anger.
• Depression and hopelessness: Feeling sad, dejected, or having a lack of hope for the future.
• Guilt and shame: Feeling self-blame or guilt about the trauma or one’s reaction to it.
  
• Changes in beliefs and attitudes: Adopting negative views about oneself, others, or the world.

Physical Signs:

• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares.
• Changes in appetite: Eating more or less than usual, or experiencing cravings.
• Physical pain: Experiencing unexplained aches, pains, or discomfort.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired, drained, or exhausted.
• Muscle tension: Experiencing tightness or stiffness in the muscles.
• Hyperarousal: Being constantly “keyed up,” easily startled, or having a heightened sense of alertness.
• Digestive problems: Experiencing stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea.

Other Signs:

• Avoidance: Trying to avoid thoughts, feelings, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma.
• Dissociation: Feeling detached from oneself or one’s surroundings.
• Loss of interest in activities: No longer enjoying activities that were once pleasurable.
• Difficulty trusting others: Having trouble forming or maintaining healthy relationships.
  
• Changes in behavior: Acting out in ways that are not typical for you, such as becoming more aggressive, or more withdrawn.

It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience the same symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms can vary. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to seek professional help.

Supervised Visitation

Ms. Gallagher and Another Chance 4 Change, PLLC has been on the approved Travis County List for over 20 years now. They will do they best to accommodate your needs while following all court orders, and policies for the best experience.

Child Trauma Signs:

Children and young people may express a range of physical and emotional symptoms that could mean they are distressed or going through trauma, including sexual abuse. The child’s or young person’s age and developmental level will affect how these symptoms present. Some children and young people who have been sexually abused will not show any obvious signs or symptoms. Understanding child sexual abuse and talking more about it are effective ways to help prevent and identify child sexual abuse.

Physical signs that a child may have experienced child sexual abuse include:

• headaches
• stomach aches
• bed-wetting
• change in appetite and/or weight loss
• nightmares and sleep disturbances
• bruises on soft parts of the body, like buttocks or thighs
• changes in the genital area, such as redness, swelling, or discharge
  
• pain or burning when going to the toilet.

Children and young people who are sexually abused may find it difficult to process and deal with their distress after the trauma they have experienced. Emotional or behavioural changes could include:

• depression, anxiety and mood changes, including social withdrawal and disassociation
• self-harm or suicidal ideation
• poor self-care or personal hygiene
• harmful and volatile substance use
• over-compliance and eagerness to please
• aggressiveness and anger
• running away
• desexualisation – for example, wearing baggy clothes to hide their gender
• anxiety-related illnesses such as anorexia or bulimia
• fear and avoidance of certain people and places.

For very young children, or children and young people with disability, there are extra signs to consider:

• behavioural issues, particularly those the child or young person has not shown in the past, including emotional outbursts, self-harm and heightened aggression
• regression in developmental achievements
• developmental delays, for example, delayed speech, crawling or walking
• self-stimulatory behaviours, for example, rocking and head banging.