When to Seek Counseling | A Woman's View

Insights from Amy Owenby, LCMHCS at A Woman’s View

Mental health support isn’t just for crisis moments or major life events. It’s for the everyday challenges that most of us face – and often struggle with alone.

Amy Owenby, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, provides counseling services at A Woman’s View every Wednesday. Her message to women? “Don’t be afraid to seek help… Seeking counseling is certainly a sign of resilience and strength.”

Let’s talk about what brings women to counseling, how to recognize when you need support, and why reaching out is one of the healthiest things you can do.

The Real Issues Women Face (And Yes, You’re Not Alone)

When asked what issues she commonly sees in her practice, Amy’s answer might surprise you with how relatable it is.

“I would say that 99% of the issues I see in my practice are issues that most people struggle with. They’re real life issues and they’re common to most of us,” she explains.

Those “real life issues” include:

Depression and anxiety
Postpartum mood changes
Menopause-related emotional shifts
Relationship concerns
Work stress
Infertility struggles
Elder care responsibilities
Parenting challenges at every stage

If you’re dealing with any of these, you’re not struggling with something rare or unusual. These are common human experiences – and they’re all “appropriate clinical issues” worth addressing with a counselor.

Postpartum Depression: More Than Just “Baby Blues”

One of the most common reasons women seek counseling at A Woman’s View is postpartum depression. But how do you know if what you’re experiencing is normal adjustment or something that needs professional support?

Amy draws an important distinction: “There’s baby blues and that can clear up usually within a couple of weeks.”

But if symptoms continue past those first few weeks, it’s time to reach out. Signs of postpartum depression include:

Persistent feelings of sadness
Frequent crying spells
Anxiety or excessive worry
Irritability
Inability to rest (beyond typical newborn sleep disruption)
Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
Fears about yourself or your baby

“If they’re experiencing those and have concerns, I encourage them to use the first line of defense, which is to call the practitioner, call the office, and talk to their doctor about how they’re feeling and we can get them in here,” Amy advises.

One of the benefits of getting care at A Woman’s View? “They follow up very closely with their patients after they give birth,” Amy notes. Your providers are watching for these signs and ready to connect you with support when you need it.

Parenting Issues: From Potty Training to Teenagers

Parenting brings its own unique stressors – and they don’t end when your kids get older. In fact, they just change form.

“Parenting issues arise at any stage of parenting,” Amy explains, “anything from potty training to early childhood issues. Once they get into school, if kids are struggling academically, if they’re struggling with neurodiversity and those related issues. Certainly then into adolescence.”

A Word for Parents of Teens

If you’re parenting teenagers right now, Amy has a specific message for you: You’re not alone.

Many parents “feel like they’re the only ones that’s struggling with something,” she acknowledges. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“To think that you are all alone in parenting teens or dealing with their issues, you certainly are not,” Amy emphasizes. “I think that it’s difficult to parent and certainly in the digital age, it comes with additional challenges… These are very commonplace issues.”

The teenage years bring their own set of clinical concerns as adolescents begin to experience anxiety, depression, identity struggles, and social pressures. Supporting your teen might mean seeking support for yourself – and that’s not just okay, it’s wise.

Who Can Benefit from Counseling?

Amy describes herself as “a generalist,” which means she works with women facing a wide range of concerns. At A Woman’s View, she sees women of all ages dealing with various life stages and challenges.

She also provides marital counseling – “the one exception where I do see males in this setting” – recognizing that relationship health affects overall wellbeing.

At her main practice, The Counseling Group, Amy and her colleagues see clients from age 3 all the way through “the geriatric years. So I say we see folks ages three to 103 at our practice.”

The point? Mental health support is relevant and available at every life stage.

Changing How We Think About Counseling

There’s still stigma around seeking mental health support. Many people worry that needing therapy means they’re weak or broken.

Amy addresses this head-on: “Seeking counseling is certainly a sign of resilience and strength. I think in the past people have not viewed it as such.”

She reframes counseling as part of comprehensive self-care: “To take care of ourselves, it’s just a part of good holistic healthcare.”

Think about it this way: You wouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor for physical health concerns. You get routine checkups, screenings, and treatment when something’s wrong. Mental health deserves the same attention and care.

When Should You Reach Out?

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. You don’t need a formal diagnosis. You don’t need to have “tried everything else first.”

If you’re:

Feeling overwhelmed by daily life
Struggling with sadness, anxiety, or irritability
Having relationship difficulties
Facing a major life transition
Dealing with parenting stress
Experiencing grief or loss
Simply feeling like you need someone to talk to

Those are all valid reasons to seek support.

“Just give a call and make an initial appointment and we will explore the patient’s concerns,” Amy encourages.

The Bottom Line

Mental health struggles are not signs of weakness. They’re not rare. They’re not something you just need to “push through” on your own.

“Don’t be afraid to seek help and just reach out,” Amy urges.

Whether you’re dealing with postpartum depression, parenting stress, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concern, support is available – and you deserve it.

Ready to talk to someone? Call A Woman’s View at (828) 345-0800 to schedule a counseling appointment with Amy Owenby. She’s available on Wednesdays and ready to help you work through whatever you’re facing.

Remember: Seeking help isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a sign of strength, resilience, and commitment to your own wellbeing.