Dr. Bilka tailors her therapeutic approach to fit each client’s unique needs. She integrates several therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, EMDR and relational techniques to provide comprehensive and dynamic treatment. Dr. Bilka’s clinical interests include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning issues, adolescent and adult life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse. She specializes in treating teenagers and young adults dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. Dr. Bilka is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven highly effective for the treatment of trauma as well as with many other issues. She incorporates warmth, empathy, humor and insight-oriented methods into her practice. Dr. Bilka views the therapeutic process as a collaborative one in which the therapist offers understanding and support, providing the client with the space to develop a deeper understanding of his or her self and the courage to work toward change.

Courtney Baggs is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified Music Therapist in Tallahassee Florida. Courtney believes that the most important part of therapy is the client’s empathic relationship with their counselor as well as understanding the client’s strengths and goals. Courtney is passionate about helping clients identify their goals and remove or manage obstacles standing in the way. Courtney has over 4 years of experience working with children, teens and adults from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. She has worked primarily with clients who have a trauma history, relational and family issues, anxiety, and depression. In addition to providing Music Therapy in Tallahassee Florida Courtney has specific training in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems Theory, and EMDR. She also uses music therapy to provide clients with a safe and creative environment in order to process through personal challenges. Courtney graduated from Colorado Christian University with her Master’s degree in mental health counseling after receiving her bachelors degree in music therapy and psychology from Florida State University. When she is away from the office, Courtney enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing music, staying active, and being outside.

Life can get overwhelming sometimes, and everyone has an opinion on how you should manage it. No matter what you’re dealing with, someone always suggests a quick fix— anxiety: “just calm down;” depression: “just be happy;” or disordered eating: “just eat.” The reality is, if it were that simple, we would all be perfect people and never struggle with anything in our entire lives. That’s just not human nature. So if that’s not the answer, how do we grow and change? How do we resolve the deepest, most wounded parts of ourselves?

There’s a quote by Christine Langley-Obaugh that I love, which says, “We repeat what we don’t repair.” We have to sit with those uncomfortable parts of ourselves—our anxiety, depression, disordered eating, grief—and figure out when and why it showed up. What is it trying to tell us about ourselves and our experience?

That’s what the therapeutic space is for. We put other pieces of our lives on hold for an hour, to sit and listen and process. From there, we can establish a different way for the brain and body to communicate with one another; a way that allows for expression without overwhelm. It’s a process that can take some time, but it is oh so worth it.