Simply Counseling, LLC, a new private practice, is offering mental health counseling at Fond du Lac Center for Spirituality and Healing. Simply Counseling owner, Pauline Runge, a Licensed Professional Counselor, intends to make obtaining counseling services “simpler.” She strongly believes that empowerment and healing happen when one is simply listened to, heard and understood.

 

Pauline received a Master’s of Science degree from Mount Mary University in Community Counseling and is licensed in the State of Wisconsin as a Professional Counselor. She worked as a counselor for Agnesian Work & Wellness EAP and for Family Options in Milwaukee where she led groups for Social Skills and Boundaries. Pauline states, “These are my credentials but truly it’s the same blah blah blah that you will find on other counselors’ websites or brochures. It does not tell you what is in my “heart.”  Even though I have degrees and letters by my name, I’m just another human in this world trying to live my best possible life. Part of what makes me empathetic and non-judgmental is my life experience and my own wounds.” Pauline refers to herself as a “wounded healer.”

 

Author Henri Nouwen defines this term in this quote: “Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. The main question is not, “How can we hide our wounds?” but “How can we use our woundedness for the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, then we have become wounded healers.”

 

Pauline sees people of all ages and couples for a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress, parenting concerns, grief and life transitions. Telltale symptoms include:

 

~ feeling hopeless and unmotivated

~ excessive anger, sadness, discontent or worry

 

Simply Counseling office hours at FCSH as listed above.  Ideas for the future include Walk-in Wednesdays, a support group for twentysomethings and workshops for couples.