About Us

Psychiatric Services in Columbia

At Synergy Strive, we believe that every person has the potential to thrive and lead a fulfilling life. Our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

We are a team of solution-focused clinicians and it is our goal to help you, your child, or your family uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we cannot change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve the current challenges you face.

If you’re looking for extra support, guidance, or treatment during a challenging time in your life or if you’re ready to move in a new direction, we are here to help. Even if your clinician changes during treatment, our vision, mission and goal of care does not in order to achieve your goals and keep the momentum of care. 

Contact our team to discuss our psychiatric services in Columbia. We look forward to working with you.

 

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Tailored Solutions for Mental Well-Being

Our Psychiatric Services Include
  • ADHD, Childhood and Adulthood Onset
  • Anxiety Spectrum
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Depression and Bipolar Disorder
  • Family Therapy
  • Grief Counseling
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Parenting Support
  • Stress Management
  • Therapies for Anxiety and Stress
  • Work and Career Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

Yes! Our practice currently accepts Aetna, Carefirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, and Johns Hopkins Healthcare insurances. To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. I will work with you to determine what’s best for you or your child. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

  • Compassion, respect and understanding
  • Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
  • Real strategies for enacting positive change
  • Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsl as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Meet Our Team
PMHCNS/NP-BC, Owner
Clinical Director
DNP, PMHNP-BC, Director of Nurse Practitioners
Director of Patient Care Services
DNP, PMHNP-BC, Clinical Director of TMS

Reviews

Words From Our Patients

Synergy Strive Web

5

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

5 Stars

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I want to thank Steve Gordon and his practice for taking the TMS appointments. Along with my Treater Nicole who gave the treatments with care and professionalism and Brian and Brett for their care and support. I have suffered with depression for 30 years. This therapy has changed my mindset. For the first time, I feel a burden lifted off me in a big way. The therapy has truly changed my life.

Jeff W.

5

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

5 Stars

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I can’t thank you enough for bringing TMS to your practice. Before my TMS treatments I was just existing. Life was dull and gray. I was just moving through life. As I started the treatments I noticed that the grayness of the world started to lift. I didn’t trust it at first, but as the treatment continued I felt so much better, more alive than I’ve felt in many years. Now I’m finished the treatments and I continue to feel like life has purpose, meaning and joy.

Beth G

5

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5 Stars

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I have been seeing Steven M Gordon since 2015. I have been to probably every therapist in the state of Maryland trying to find the one who seemed like they really cared about me and knew what I was trying to communicate with them. I finally found that in Steve! He is knowledgeable and attentive and makes me feel like a person and not just a patient. I moved out of state and tried to find someone who was even slightly comparable to him and just never could. Steve and I now have phone call sessions and I couldn’t be more appreciative and am happy I get to continue working with him after all this time. I would refer him to any one! He is truly one of the nicest and most professional people I have yet to meet.

Summer S

5

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

5 Stars

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I would just like to say thank you to Jennifer she has answered all my questions when needed. I would also like to thank you Kristin who I’ve been working with for the last few months.”

Chris H
What Is NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy?

NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in people suffering from mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment is intended to be used as an alternative for those who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment.

The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events typically only occur during the first week of the TMS treatment course. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient). Call the clinicians at Synergy Strive to learn more about our NeuroStar psychiatric service in Columbia.

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