Specialties

Counseling Specialties

In order to treat mental health, you must treat the whole self. Since conducting research in her doctoral program, Dr. Spiegelhoff has studied holistic wellness and integrative mental health. In counseling, Dr. Spiegelhoff and clients will explore their overall wellness and discuss how diet, exercise, supplements, sleep, illness, mindfulness, medical care, and more will complement the work being done in counseling.

All integrative health discussions, including but not limited to, physical health, diet and nutrition, exercise, and integrative-care are for psychoeducation and support. These are not prescriptive treatments and not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of treatment from a personal physician. Clients are responsible for consulting with a physician before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Through her work in individual and family counseling, as well as college counseling, Dr. Spiegelhoff has 15 years of experience working with teens and young adults. Some of her doctoral research specifically looked factors that contribute to young adult mental health and wellness, including identity development.

Dr. Spiegelhoff often works with teens from West Genesee School District, Marcellus School District, Skaneateles School District, Baldwinsville School District, Auburn School District.  The practice also serves college students from colleges and universities, including Onondaga Community College, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, SUNY Oswego, University at Buffalo, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo, and Russel Sage College.

While completing her master’s degree in counseling, Dr. Spiegelhoff received additional training Structural Family Therapy. Through couples/marriage/family counseling, clients improve relationships, develop better communication, and create healthy boundaries. A sub-specialty of Dr. Spiegelhoff’s is working with parents with mental illness. Her work in this area is outlined in a co-authored article in the peer-reviewed journal, The Family Journal.

Dr. Spiegelhoff also provides co-parenting therapy.  Co-parenting can be challenging, especially when there is conflict between the parents. However, there are ways to navigate through these challenges and work towards a positive co-parenting relationship. Co-parenting therapy provides a structured environment for parents to work on issues related to conflict, healthy communication, establishing boundaries, and parenting strategies.  A primary focus of co-parenting therapy is determining what is in the best interest of the children.  Additionally, co-parenting therapy aims to help parents get to a place where they can better communicate, negotiate, and make decisions, and reduce or eliminate the need for legal intervention.  Click here for more information about co-parenting therapy.

Biofeedback is a mind-body treatment used to control body functions.  In psychotherapy, it is often used to assist patients in controlling stress-related body functions, such as heart rate, muscle responses, and breath.  When stressed, many individuals experience physical (somatic) changes to their body, such as increased heart rate, muscle tightening and cramps, GI issues, urinary issues, and more.  Biofeedback teaches patients to new skills to control their body.  Biofeedback can help individuals reduce stress, balance emotions, improve sleep, restore energy, and increase focus.