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Asesoramiento

El Magic City Wellness Center se enorgullece de ofrecer asesoramiento con Katie Reese, ALC. Asesoramiento individual, asesoramiento para parejas y terapia de reemplazo hormonal (HRT) Asesoramiento y evaluación por carta. Comuníquese con nuestra oficina para conocer la tarifa de pago por cuenta propia.

Las citas están disponibles durante la semana en diferentes horarios. Llame al Magic City Wellness Center al 205.877.8677 para programar su cita de consejería.

Katie Reese es la directora de grupos de apoyo y asesoramiento en Magic City Wellness Center (MCWC) y Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO). Ávida lectora y escritora, obtuvo una licenciatura en inglés en la UAB. Después de trabajar en puestos de comunicaciones / marketing en la Agencia de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de St. Clair, el Zoológico de Birmingham y la Compañía de Teatro Red Mountain, Katie decidió obtener una maestría en Consejería (Terapia de Parejas y Familia) en la Universidad de Montevallo, donde se desempeñó como editor del Capítulo Chi de la Sociedad de Honor Chi Sigma Iota. Después de completar pasantías de posgrado con los Servicios de Consejería de la Universidad de Montevallo y MCWC y obtener su maestría en mayo de 2016, Katie estaba encantada de unirse oficialmente al equipo de MCWC como Directora de Grupos de Apoyo y Consejería. Actualmente es Consejera Asociada Licenciada (ALC) y ejerce bajo la supervisión de Charlotte Daughhetee, Ph.D, LPC, LMFT, NCC. Katie es miembro de la American Counseling Association (ACA), la Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA) y la Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling of Alabama (ALGBTICAL).

Katie brinda asesoramiento individual, para parejas y familiares y facilita grupos de apoyo en MCWC y BAO. Su objetivo es proporcionar un entorno seguro y afirmativo en el que las personas tengan la libertad de explorar sus pensamientos, sentimientos y experiencias mientras trabajan para convertirse en sus seres más sanos y auténticos. Katie trabaja dentro de un marco de sistemas familiares ecléctico, humanista y centrado en soluciones para satisfacer eficazmente las necesidades individuales de sus clientes.

Las preocupaciones del cliente pueden incluir:

Ansiedad

Depresión

Problemas de familia de origen

Conflicto de relación

Sexo e intimidad

Explorando la identidad de género

Disforia de género

Explorando la orientación sexual

Saliendo

Mejorando la comunicación

Dolor y pérdida

Manejo del estrés

El establecimiento de metas

Transiciones de vida

Crecimiento personal

Y más

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Director of Counseling
and Support Groups
Katie Reese, M. ED, LPC, NCC
She, Her, Hers

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Riley McCay (he/him) is a counselor at the Magic City Wellness Center. Riley has been involved in the field of counseling for over 6 years. For longer still, he has shown interest in supporting others through structured and empathetic services. Riley graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and obtained his master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Boston College in 2014. Riley has worked as a student, research assistant, counselor, and supervisor to better understand and support people working through issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, anger and aggression, as well as difficulties in concentration, communication, and relationship dynamics. He currently works with youth, adults, couples, and families to create a collaborative affirming environment to address the most pressing issues of his clients. Utilizing a wide array of therapeutic interventions and pulling mainly from cognitive behavioral, dialectic, and person-centered therapy, Riley strives to work with clients to meet their unique needs. 

Licensed Professional Counselor
Riley McCay
Magic City Wellness Center

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Katie Michaels (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at the Magic City Wellness Center. She has experience working with oncology patients, end-of-life discussions, and grief. Katie’s collaborative approach to counseling allows her to work with clients to help them reach their goals, and her counseling style integrates person-centered therapy with a cognitive-behavioral based approach. Katie earned her master’s degree and a graduate certificate in marriage, couples, and family counseling in August 2021 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She was awarded the distinction of “Outstanding Clinical Mental Health Masters Student” from her master’s program, and she was nominated as the 2021-2022 Emerging Leader in a New Professional category by the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE). Katie is a member of the ACA, the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA), and Alabama Chapter of SAIGE. Katie hopes to empower her clients by providing a safe space to address and explore life’s challenges.

LPC, NCC

Katie Michaels
Magic City Wellness Center

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Counseling Intern
Chris Murphy

Magic City Wellness Center

Chris Murphy is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern at the Magic City Wellness Center. He received a Master of Education in Community Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and became a Certified Health Education Specialist in 2019. At the Wellness Center’s parent agency, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, he served in several capacities, including the Outreach Testing Coordinator for the Birmingham Comprehensive High-Impact Prevention Project (BCHIP) which focused on HIV testing and education for Black MSM and Black Women; the Project Coordinator for the second iteration of BCHIP (BCHIP2); the Assistant Director of Education and Prevention, where he oversaw and advised all testing, education, and vaccination programs at BAO; and the Interim Health and Health Promotion Instructor at the Magic City Acceptance Academy. Chris is an active member of several organizations, such as the Jefferson County HIV Prevention Network, the Alabama HIV Prevention and Care Planning Group, the Alabama HIV/AIDS Policy Partnership, the ACA, ALCA, he is a 2023 GMoC Fellow of the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), and he is a 2023 panelist of the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) HIV Cluster Detection and Response Community Implementation Partner’s Panel. Given his expertise, Chris employs an eclectic approach to counseling, which includes solution-focused, multicultural, and DBT.

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Princess Johnson-Higgins (she/her) is a counselor at the Magic City Wellness Center. Princess earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she served on the executive board for Unite for Reproductive Justice and Gender Equity (URGE) and worked in the field of reproductive justice after graduating in 2019. She decided to shift her focus and returned to school to get her master’s in Counseling (Couples and Family Therapy) from the University of Montevallo. While in school, she joined the Chi Chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society. She completed graduate internships at the Magic City Wellness Center and the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute, earning her degree in August 2023. Princess provides individual, couples, and family counseling and aspires to provide an affirming and safe space for everyone to discover their most authentic selves. She is a member of the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA) and the Alabama Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (ALAMCD). She uses a humanistic, person-centered, and feminist approach to bring that safe space to life. 

Counselor

Princess Johnson-Higgins

Magic City Wellness Center

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Counselor

Elliott Emfinger

Magic City Wellness Center

Elliott Emfinger is an Associate Licensed Counselor and National Certified Counselor at Magic City Wellness Center, where she is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering wellness within diverse communities. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she served as Treasurer for UAB's Zeta chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society. This experience reinforced her commitment to the values of excellence, integrity, and ethical practice in counseling. In addition to her academic work, Elliott is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA), and the Alabama division of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE). These affiliations reflect her dedication to staying current with the latest developments in the counseling field and ensuring the highest standards of care for her clients. Elliott's therapeutic approach involves viewing clients as whole and complex individuals. Her client-centered approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves collaboratively exploring and understanding thought and behavioral patterns that impact well-being; setting specific, measurable goals for personal growth; and actively reframing beliefs influenced by problematic social and cultural messaging. She is committed to providing a safe, affirming, and inclusive therapeutic space where her clients can explore their unique experiences and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:  DIAL 988 or call 1-800-273-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launches new 3-digit number: 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

 

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

 

The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.

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