Shirley L. Neal, MA, LPC

My office verifies insurance benefits so that you know what your insurance will cover.  This means no surprises in terms of costs to you at the first appointment.  Paperwork can now be completed online before the first appointment. 

The first appointment is spent understanding the issues, and concerns, and psychosocial history.  The next appointment is where problem-solving begins.  Of course, the technique used to resolve the issue depends on the issue at hand.   

EDUCATION

2009-2010    Attended Michigan State University, completed 21 semester hours to update counseling skills and knowledge in the Counseling Program, College of Education, Michigan State University.

2001-2004    Attended Michigan State University, completed 20 semester hours in child development in Family and Child Ecology.

1987             Master of Arts in Counseling, College of Education, Michigan State University. 

1982             Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology,   University of Nebraska- Lincoln.

1978-1980   Attended Ohio State University. 

TRAINING

My training experience involved practicum, internship, and community service. In 1984, I completed a practicum at Lansing Community College in which I worked with students on both academic and personal issues.  From 2008 – 2009, I provided volunteer counseling and facilitated support groups at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing.  In 2010, I completed two half-time internships:  one with Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Community Mental Health at Bridges Crisis Unit, and the other with the Women's Center of Greater Lansing.  Professional employment experience has included working at CEI Community Mental Health as a Developmental Disability Clinician in Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled and a crisis counselor at Bridges Crisis Unit.  

 My education and training prepared me for working with multicultural, racial, ethnic and sexual minorities as well as persons with mental, emotional, developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities. I also have professional employment experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders (depression and mania), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, severe depression, and autism spectrum disorders. My counseling experience has also included working with individuals who have experienced sexual and physical abuse, emotional trauma as adults and/or children, divorce, domestic/relationship violence, homelessness, substance abuse, and LGBT-related issues.

Intake session                $200*

Individual session           $185*   

Couple/Family session   $170*

Reports/Letters               $100   

* I accept what your health insurance pays. You may have a copay. Also, some policies may have deductibles.

Sliding scale or out-of-pocket payments are accepted.