Siena Counseling

Siena Counseling, LLC is an online mental health counseling practice dedicated to providing strengths-based, faith-friendly therapy to Alaskans aged 18 years and older. Our mission is to empower individuals to overcome challenges and improve their overall well-being by fostering self-care, coping skills, positive communication, and social supports. The practice is led by Mariel Ott Gebhardt, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in social work and psychotherapy services. Mariel holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Montana, Missoula, and is licensed for independent clinical practice in the state of Alaska.

Treatment Techniques

Mariel Ott Gebhardt utilizes an eclectic therapeutic approach, combining techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Her strengths-based, faith-friendly counseling method recognizes the importance of individual dignity and worth, fostering a strong therapeutic relationship. Mariel's primary focus is addressing adjustment issues, early adulthood challenges, pregnancy and new parenthood stressors, anxiety, mild depression, and grief related to divorce and loss of relationships.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts by interrogating and uprooting negative or irrational beliefs.
• Solution-Focused Therapy: A goal-directed collaborative approach to psychotherapy that classically terminates when the desired change occurs.
• Motivational Interviewing: A directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What services do you provide?

A: Siena Counseling, LLC provides individual psychotherapy via an encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video platform for clients aged 18 years and older.

Q: Do you bill insurance?

A: Yes, Siena Counseling, LLC accepts most major insurances. The practice has a business associate agreement with Golden Heart Administrative Professionals for billing services. Medicaid is not accepted at this time.

Q: What if I don't have insurance?

A: Siena Counseling, LLC offers self-pay options for uninsured clients. For pricing inquiries, please call (907) 251-7664 or email info@siena-counseling.com.

Q: Is telehealth right for me?

A: Telehealth is an effective, convenient way to access psychotherapy from the privacy of home. It has become increasingly popular since the Covid 19 pandemic and continues to be a widely used method of accessing mental health support. Prospective clients will be able to complete an initial confidential digital questionnaire to help determine if online counseling through Siena Counseling LLC is a good fit. Individuals experiencing hallucinations, psychosis, substance abuse dependence, and serious and persistent thoughts of harm to self or others should seek local mental health resources or call the Careline at 1-877-266-4357.

Q: What is "Strengths-Based" counseling?

A: Strengths-Based care involves providing support, encouragement, and collaboration with clients as they learn to discover their abilities to make changes and progress towards their goal. The therapist assists in the moment, but clients deserve all the credit for taking action and achieving success.

Q: What is "Faith-Friendly" counseling?

A: Faith-Friendly counseling acknowledges that for many clients their faith practice or spiritual beliefs can be their strongest resource. Rather than an "either or" approach of faith vs mental health treatment, the therapist respects that the two assets can be complementary in achieving greater healing and progress towards well-being.