About me
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama, with 36 years experience. I worked in a public agency for several years and have been in private practice for 17 years. I have helped individuals who have been referred through Self-referral, Employee Assistance Programs, and family court systems. I have had the privilege of helping people with Depression and Anxiety, Chemical and Process Addictions, Trauma and abuse issues, Family and Life issues, as well as other challenging situations.
I utilize several therapeutic strategies, including Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-focused Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. The strategies utilized are determined by the unique needs of the person with whom I am interacting. I believe each person is unique and presents with unique needs and unique strengths for addressing the identified concerns.
My focus is on people, not labels or statistics. I make it my practice to encourage and elevate people to be the success they were meant to be.
It requires courage and commitment to reach out for help, and I would be honored to be part of your journey. I look forward to working with you!
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
Also experienced in:
Relationship issues
,
Family conflicts
,
Grief
,
Intimacy-related issues
,
Eating disorders
,
Parenting issues
,
Anger management
,
Career difficulties
,
Bipolar disorder
,
Depression
,
Coping with life changes
,
Coaching
,
Compassion fatigue
,
ADHD
,
Abandonment
,
Attachment Issues
,
Blended Family Issues
,
Body Image
,
Cancer
,
Caregiver Issues and Stress
,
Codependency
,
Commitment Issues
,
Communication Problems
,
Control Issues
,
Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster
,
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
,
Divorce and Separation
,
Domestic Violence
,
Drug and Alcohol Addiction
,
Eating and Food-Related Issues
,
Family of Origin Issues
,
Family Problems
,
First Responder Issues
,
Forgiveness
,
Gender Dysphoria
,
Guilt and Shame
,
HIV / AIDS
,
Hospice and End of Life Counseling
,
Infidelity
,
Isolation/Loneliness
,
Life Purpose
,
Military and Veterans Issues
,
Money and Financial Issues
,
Mood Disorders
,
Multicultural Concerns
,
Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD
,
Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
,
Phobias
,
Postpartum Depression
,
Post-traumatic Stress
,
Prejudice and Discrimination
,
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
,
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
,
Self-Love
,
Sex Addiction
,
Sexual Assault and Abuse
,
Sexual Dysfunction
,
Smoking/Vaping Cessation
,
Social Anxiety and Phobia
,
Somatization
,
Traumatic Brain Injury
,
Women's Issues
,
Workplace Issues
,
Young Adult Issues
Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Years of Experience: 36
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
AL LPC 1393
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gwendolyn Downing. We don’t pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Written on Nov 30, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Gwen is a patient and understanding person. She gives me tools to help myself and brakes down emotions and thoughts that I have with ptsd and anxiety in a logical and healthy way to help me work through these parts of my self.
She is a great support system and I would recommend her to anyone !
Written on Nov 10, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coaching, and adhd
Miss Gwendolyn is super helpful with helping me on my journey.
Written on Oct 14, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and adhd
I have been with Gwendolyn for a couple of weeks now. She is very kind, patient and very nice to talk to. She makes your feel comfortable and listens to what you have to say. She understood my troubles and taught me ways to navigate around them with the help of different techniques.
It has been a really good experience, and i would highly recommend her.
Written on Oct 14, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Gwendolyn is very kind and a great listener. It truly felt like a judgement free zone where I could share how I was feeling. She is very understanding and provided me with a great first therapy experience.
Written on Sep 10, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gwendolyn has given me a lot of tools to help turn my life in a positive direction. She is always so supportive and really understands the main things affecting my life. I’ve used 3 therapists before I started talking with her, and she’s the one who has made the big difference. She’s definitely a keeper. I look forward to our conversations each week.
Written on Aug 10, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning adhd
Great listener and very professional.
Written on Aug 08, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and bipolar disorder
I’ve had two sessions with Ms. Downing and she has been wonderful. She has a vast knowledge of all my different issues and offers great suggestions to practice during the week.
I love that I can text her and get a super fast response.
10-10-10-10-10!
Written on Aug 02, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Gwendolyn has helped me dearly in my day to day practices. Very understanding. Very present and fair. Highly recommend her for anyone who seeks therapy
Written on Jul 19, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
Very responsive and listens carefully and patiently to our concerns
Written on Jul 18, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Gwendolyn listens. She responds with great advice and asks questions that get you to consider things you haven’t before, and think more deeply, or from a different perspective than you have before. She recommends activities and provides worksheets. She checks on you in between weekly sessions.
Written on Jul 08, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Gwendolyn has been a much needed breath of fresh air. I had no idea just what I was surrounding myself with, and how it was affecting my wellbeing, but she is helping to break down barriers I have built up over 2 decades.
She has an incredible ability to phrase things in a way that doesn't seem insurmountable, even the things that do take a whole lot of work. I had no idea I could progress as quickly as I have been over the past two months. I have been able to accomplish some things that I never thought I'd be able to do, and I owe so much of that to Gwendolyn.
Written on Jul 07, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
I have absolutely loved therapy with her!
Written on Jun 28, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Gwen has been an amazing partner in my self discovery journey. She has shared some super simple, yet so significant, tips on how to handle life, anxiety, negativity etc. She is a great listener and affirmer. She is good at reminding us the power of taking small small steps in life and making sure we move! I'm grateful for you Gwen!
Written on Jun 25, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Gwendolyn is absolutely great.
Written on Jun 24, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and adhd
Have only been with Gwen for about 3-4 weeks and the tools she has given me so far are extremely helpful. When I’m talking to her I can tell that she genuinely cares about helping me achieve a place of happiness and genuinely cares about the concerns and things im telling her. Im so glad I was matched with Gwen and so excited to continue working with her
Written on Jun 13, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and career difficulties
Gwendolyn is fantastic! I worked with her for a month and though I won't be able to continue with Better Help due to insurance, I highly recommend her for those who can use the platform. She's very kind and understanding, and is extremely supportive and wise. The practices she had me do between sessions were great too, and she makes an effort to truly review them and check in throughout the process. I highly recommend her!
Written on Jun 04, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
We're just getting started and feeling each other out but so far I really like her and have yet to feel judged by anything I've told her
Written on Jun 04, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Miss Gwen is so caring and really listens. She has so many resources and experience, that I really feel like my journey is in the best hands possible with her being a part of it. I was skeptical to pay for therapy when the free versions in my province had not done much for me in the past. SHE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY AND MORE. I really look forward to our sessions and the days proceeding them are what I'd hope them to be. It's been 3 weeks now and my life is already more in my control. Miss Gwen is so empowering and somehow always seems to have the best advice or words of comfort to offer. I am so grateful to get to work with her on Better help!
Written on Jun 01, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and coaching
Great!
Written on May 24, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching
Gwendolyn is a blessing
Written on May 24, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Gwendolyn is an extremely calming, grounding force in my life. She understands trauma better than any professional I've spoken to, and she cares deeply about her patients.
Written on May 18, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Gwendolyn is amazing at providing resources and methods to lessen my anxiety and frequency of panic attacks that are specific to my issues. She’s very attentive and encouraging with any sort of achievements I’ve had, no matter how big or small they are. She reminds me all of these steps are a big improvement compared to when I first started. This helps me realize how much progress I’ve made especially when I am always tough on myself
Written on Apr 23, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and adhd
Gwendolyn is a great listener and guides you through problems more than just giving out advice
Written on Apr 22, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
So far im really happy you matched as my therapist
Written on Apr 21, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, and adhd
Great therapist
Written on Apr 20, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, anger management, grief, eating disorders, and compassion fatigue
Gwendolyn is just wonderful.
Written on Apr 18, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She let's me be messy and I feel safe on the phone with her
Written on Apr 18, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue
I have had one session with Gwendolyn and it was very helpful. I look forward to the next one
Written on Apr 07, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, eating disorders, and self esteem
Gwendolyn is very helpful to me. I realized that my mother was a narcissist in my late fifties.
I feel I can count on Gwendolyn in my day-to-day dealings. She understands me and supports me and I feel strengthened. I highly recommend Gwendolyn and thank her
Written on Mar 17, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Even though I have tried to not do therapy I’ve had a friend that has shown concern and love for me even though it’s strictly business and professional but it has helped me get a better perspective of my life and I want to say thank you
Written on Mar 03, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
She's great, listens and gives input. The work sheets and coping exercises are really helpful.
Written on Feb 23, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning depression, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Excellent listener and the kind words made all the difference
Written on Feb 18, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, anger management, and bipolar disorder
Very pleased so far
Written on Feb 17, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 week on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
A wonderful match . Feeling so much calmer and rational having started therapy with Gwendolyn . Responds quickly and gives plans of action which I like !
I would truly highly recommend and have done so !
Written on Feb 03, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, adhd, anger management, and intimacy-related issues
Very good at her job. Not too overwhelming, always patient
Written on Jan 30, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Gwendolyn is a blessing to me who help me slowly overcome my depression. I highly recommend her. She's so kind, understanding and very helpful. She also go beyond what's needed to a therapist specially her prayers and guidance. God bless Gwendolyn and for those who will choose her. :)
Written on Jan 24, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, adhd, anger management, and intimacy-related issues
Terrific therapist, though shortlived. I could immediately tell she was a professional the moment I spoke to her
Written on Jan 15, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Gwendolyn has been excellent with reassurance that everything will work out in my current separation. She has years of experience with situations that I am currently in. If I had not spoken with a therapist I know my emotions would of spiraled out of control. I am beyond happy that I had been matched with Gwendolyn through better help.
Written on Jan 05, 2022 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Learning a lot so far, been helpful thank you
Written on Dec 26, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and anger management
Gwen is awsome!! So calm and she is very easy to talk to. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!!!!
Written on Dec 21, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Attentive and thoughtful. Excited to get to know her better and to learn new tools for coping.
Written on Dec 14, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
She is able to help me see my situation from.different angles and help me see I am not wrong in having differing viewpoints, myself.
Written on Nov 04, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
I am new to better help and was a bit anxious about getting started. From my first session Gwendolyn made me feel comfortable and was very balanced with listening and responding with helpful feedback. I also appreciate her calm presence.
Written on Oct 23, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching
Gwendolyn’s advises are constructive and relevant to my situations. She helped me to discover solutions to my challenges.
Written on Oct 20, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, anger management, coping with life changes, adhd, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and career difficulties
She’s responsive and helpful!
Written on Oct 04, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, stress, anxiety, and career difficulties
Great!
Written on Oct 04, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and adhd
I felt very nervous to start therapy and opening up about certain things. Gwendolyn has provided a very comfortable environment in which I feel free to talk about my feelings and problems. I am grateful for all of her advice, she validates my feelings and helps me find ways to work through problems I’m having or finding ways to approach situations that I wouldn’t otherwise have known how to handle alone.
Written on Sep 29, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Gwendolyn has been fantastic in the short space of time we’ve been having sessions together. At first I was very unsure of how the process worked, but she’s always been patient, supportive and allowed me to figure a lot of stuff out for my self, and been there to encourage and advise when needed. I love that the she’s made me feel in control of my own mental health journey and allows me the freedom of working through things in my own way. She’s the encouragement and positive energy I need on bad days or weeks, and there to congratulate and celebrate my break throughs. Can’t thank her enough already!
Written on Sep 18, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Great counselor.
Written on Aug 27, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month
Gwen has been such a blessing! She's everything you could want from a therapist: understanding, responsive, and easy to talk to. I have had several counselors over the years, and Gwen is by far the best.
Written on Aug 26, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
I am so happy that finally I had started counselling, and it feels so right to talk with someone experienced which is helping you to get over difficult things. She is helping me a lot, and made me identify that I am very important, it feels so good to talk with her and the time is flying so quickly when we talk. Definitely I recommend it to everyone which needs help.
Thank you
Written on Aug 19, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Me. Gwendolyn is amazing! She’s super attentive and really helps a lot! She listens and validates in a super straight forward way that helps you understand yourself and the world around you better! :)
Written on Aug 04, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching
Gwen is such a loving and understanding person. She’s always willing to listen and understand and her passion to see people better and healed is just amazing. I believe it was divinely orchestrated for her to be my counselor at this trying time in my life.
Thank you BetterHelp for helping me through this rough time. Thank you for the opportunity to find a safe place to share my pain.
Thank you Gwen for being there and listening. Your wise words of advice have changed my mindset and transformed me.
Written on Jul 24, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and compassion fatigue
Ms. Gwen is so kind and therapeutic. I love her approach and the tone of her voice is so comforting. I would love to see her in person if I could. Thank you Ms. Gwen.
Written on Jul 22, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
Gwendolyn had some wonderful insight to share, she listened intently and her advice felt sound. I very much appreciated my time with her and I know she will help many individuals seeking guidance.
Written on Jul 20, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and adhd
Very kind and understanding. A lovely lady and appreciate all the help she gave me. Made me very comfortable with opening up and taking my first steps in the right direction.
Written on Jul 10, 2021 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Gwendolyn has been gracious, insightful and encouraging. She is quick to understand and help with solutions and I’ve looked forward to my calls with her each week.
Work with me!
