Alexis Duggan

Alexis Duggan, LPC is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) serving clients with disabilities and president-elect of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association, a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Duggan talks about working with disability clients and the importance of mental health wellness.

Why did you decide to become a counselor?

I decided to become a counselor after a professor in my rehabilitation counseling program encouraged me to take additional clinical mental health courses. This allowed me to not only become a certified rehabilitation counselor but to also obtain my license to become a mental health counselor. At that time, I was a teacher who had extensive experience working with students with co-occurring disorders which provided me with lots of experience in the mental health field.

Tell us about your professional background and your areas of specialty.

I have a bachelor’s degree in special education, a master’s degree in counselor education with a focus in rehabilitation counseling and clinical mental health, and a doctorate degree in higher education. Currently, I am a licensed professional counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor. Some of my areas of specialty are individuals with disabilities, women with alopecia, anxiety, depression, and women and men of color. I am the CEO of Duggan Digs Disability, PLLC, where I provide vocational expert testimony, trainings to increase awareness regarding individuals with disabilities and mental health counseling.

What do your licenses mean and who does it qualify you to provide counseling to?

As a certified rehabilitation counselor, I’m qualified to work with individuals with disabilities across various areas like employment, disability policy, accessibility, accommodations and the unique barriers that individuals with disabilities face. Additionally, my LPC certification qualifies me to provide mental health counseling to individuals with various mental health concerns.

If someone is searching for a counselor with expertise in working with people with disabilities, how would they find you or someone like you?

To find other counselors who specialize in individuals with disabilities you can utilize Psychology Today, contact your insurance who can provide a list of counselors who work with individuals with disabilities, or utilize the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification website to find other certified rehabilitation counselors who also have the LPC or LMHC license. Also, ACA has provider directories with various resources to search for counselors.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about counseling?

The biggest misconception about counselors is that we have all the answers. The truth is that the individual often knows what’s best for them but may need guidance in how to navigate this properly. Our job as counselors is not to have all of the answers but to simply support and assist in navigating the client to their goals by exploring their thoughts, feelings and actions that may be helping them or not helping them to reach their goals.

What role do you think counseling plays in the delivery of mental health services in today’s society?

In today’s society, counseling is often the first step that one may take to work towards improving one’s mental health. Counseling assists clients in verbalizing their emotions in a safe space by naming, acknowledging and taking time to be mindful of what they feel through coping mechanisms to assist them in their day-to-day life to increase their overall functioning.

Why is it important for people to take their mental health seriously?

It is important for people to take their mental health seriously so they can have the quality of life they deserve. When a person’s mental health is not in a good place this often prevents them from showing up as their authentic selves, and can increase chronic pain, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, preventing them from reaching their goals and living the life that they want and deserve.

How can someone recognize when they should see a counselor?

When an individual notices feeling of overwhelm, difficulty in managing emotions and a decline in daily functioning, they should see a counselor.

What gives you the most satisfaction in being a counselor and serving clients with disabilities?

Seeing individuals with disabilities set their own expectations and not what society expects gives me the most satisfaction in serving clients with disabilities.