Sometimes life is just too hard. While it may be possible to get through the hard times alone or with the support of family and friends, oftentimes it is beneficial to seek out additional support or direction. There are many reasons a situation or emotions can become too hard to manage.
Stress is ongoing, a relationship is in trouble, a new experience or major change is harder than

expected or our past has left us with negative and untrue beliefs about ourselves. Maybe we struggle with depression or anxiety, have a habit of choosing unhealthy relationships or we long for the confidence to trust our perspective and go after our dreams. Counseling may help with these needs.

Carol A. Shepard, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and president of Life Tide Counseling, P.C., was licensed in 1994 while living in Southern California. While there, she worked at an outpatient drug treatment center, as a family court mediator and owned a private practice. She is a community educator, teaching such classes as anger management, assertiveness training and

parenting after divorce. She is also a trained practitioner in EMDR, a therapy for those that are still reacting to traumas they experienced in their past.

Shepard notes, “Whatever your experience in life, you matter. You have a unique contribution to make to the world and to the people with whom you interact. We at Life Tide Counseling are

committed to helping you express your full, unique self and helping you remove the obstacles that keep you from enjoying the life you have been given.”

Location: 205 Ward St., Ste. 1, Swansboro. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 910-326-8881, email [email protected] or visit LifeTideCounseling.com.