Therapist Gwendolyn Downing Photo

Gwendolyn Downing, LPC

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

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!

Professional experience

38yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation

Additional areas of focus: 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, Chronic pain illness and disability, 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

Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

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.

I cant express enough how grateful I am for Gwendolyn. She has helped me work through so many issues and leave an abusive situation with a malignant narcassist after years of multiple failed attempts. Her patience, understanding, compassion, wisdom, strength, never giving up on me - all have helped me to change my mindset and break free from toxic thoughts and people, limiting beliefs, and unhealthy habits. Im a different person now. Thank you Gwendolyn for everything you do! I hope anyone who is unsure about therapy takes a step to do it - its a step towards chosing yourself and a better life for yourself.

Written on Feb 28, 2024 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and eating disorders

Gwendolyn is anyways helpful. She listens and provides great feedback and helpful perspective that lets me reframe my journey in a positive light.

Written on Feb 14, 2024 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 years and 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd

Gwendolyn is very kind and understanding! She always gets back to me in a timely manner!

Written on Nov 23, 2023 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Gwendolyn is wonderful. Lots of times, things come up outside of therapy session. I message her and she ALWAYS gets back to me in a timely manner. She sees the good in everything. And most of all, she is nonjudgmental and understanding!!

Written on Nov 21, 2023 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders

Gwendolyn is awesome, she has taken a patient and kind approach with me. She is respecful, professional, and provides a positive outlook that I appreciate. I'm lucky to have found Gwendolyn, and to be able to benefit from her expertise and support.

Written on Nov 10, 2023 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching

It's nice to have a caring counselor in your corner.

Written on Oct 21, 2023 after therapy with Gwendolyn for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning adhd