Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Giving Grace Counseling
Your Partner in Recovery
Giving Grace Counseling​
Our dedicated counselors offer comprehensive mental health and substance abuse counseling for both adults and adolescents in safe and supportive environment. We are committed to guiding you towards emotional well-being.. in lasting recovery.
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Mission Statement
At Giving Grace Counseling, our mission is to create a safe, compassionate space where individuals, adolescents, and couples are met with unconditional positive regard. We believe deeply in the power of grace, healing, and human resilience. Guided by faith in our clients’ ability to restore, grow, and lead lives of purpose, we are committed to walking alongside them on their journey toward healing, empowerment, and self-actualization.
Being Vulnerable
At Giving Grace Counseling, we strive to create an environment for our clients to feel comfortable, safe and not have a stressful experience. Being vulnerable can be very anxiety producing for most people. It takes a lot of trust in another person trust someone with their intimate vulnerability. Our therapists at Giving Grace Counseling have unconditional regard for our clients in order to be vulnerable. And Giving Grace Counseling, we strive to create an environment for our clients to feel comfortable safe and not have a stressful experience. We value that you trust in us to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality of all our services or record keeping.
Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
About Myself and Giving Grace Counseling Services
After college, I became a grade school teacher in the western suburb of Chicago for children that had challenges and behavioral disturbances. I became rapidly aware that most of their problems were a result of their community environment, which in turn created social and emotional problems evident in the classroom. As soon after, went back to school at Loyola University and received my masters of social work and became clinical social worker, LCSW. I then went to the field of addiction treatment and became the director of a nationally recognized alcoholism drug treatment center. I also worked with the international not for profit organization called Recovery Without Borders. I learned much about cultural differences. I soon after went into private practice as a clinically licensed social worker, LCSW working with clients with a wide concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting, problems, addiction, eating disorders, ADHD , autism,codependency, interventions and family dynamic issues. I also have experience working with individuals going through various medical diagnoses as well as their caregivers. I work with families on end of life, increase grief and loss therapy. I work with children adolescence in adult adults. My therapy style is warm and interactive and I specialize in trauma work as well. I use DBT therapy as well. CBT therapy and family therapy. I work with individuals who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, ADH, autism, as well as family relationship issues. I am an open and caring individual that is nonjudgmental within my practice and treat my clients with unconditional regard. At Giving Grace Counseling we meet our clients where they are at and work towards their goals. At Giving Grace Counseling we present our clients with new goals and challenge each person to be the - best version of themselves!!
Our Values
Compassion Dignity Justice Excellence Integrity.
Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Why Choose Giving Grace Counseling?
Giving Grace Counseling provides effective, evidence-based therapy in a comfortable outpatient treatment setting for substance abuse and mental health issues. Our therapists are highly skilled with many years of experience. Our offices are comfortable and warm for our clients. We also offer tele-health therapy sessions for those who may have obstacles such as babysitting problems, distance, or illness.
We are committed to providing the best possible outcome for long-term recovery from alcohol and mood-altering drugs by incorporating the principles of 12-step program philosophies. We utilize evidence-based treatments for all mental health issues that have been proven to be effective. Patients who receive psychodynamic therapy experience lasting therapeutic gains and continue to improve even after therapy has ended.
Does Therapy Help
Research has shown: A meta analysis of 375 studies showed that the average person who received therapy was better off and had a reduction of symptoms than 75 to 80% of untreated individuals. The American Psychological Association (APA found in its studies that psychotherapy is effective, with benefits lasting longer than medication in many cases (2012). Studies have shown that CBT which is utilized at Giving Grace Counseling is highly effective for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD. Large effects sizes were found for most disorders (Clinical Psychology Review 2006).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Therapy
Your thoughts on therapy will be as unique as you are. Our initial assessment will help you find the best possible strategies for your concerns. Therapy is a very effective tool for helping people navigate life's challenges and overcome trauma.
How Confidential is Therapy
Therapy at giving Grace counseling is highly confidential. We abide strictly by HAPAA standards. No information about you can be released without assigned consent from you.
Do You Offer Online Therapy
Giving grace offers remote options for clients across the state of Alabama and throughout the United States studies have shown the visual therapy is as effective as in person sessions. Insurance covers virtual therapy as well.
How can I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule appointment with Giving Grace Counseling by calling telephone number 256–850–4091
How often will I need therapy?
​​Usually, therapy starts with one session per week. After the initial session. Your therapist will recommend how often you need therapy.
Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Services Offered at Giving Grace Counseling
ADOLECENTS
LIFE CHANGES
ADHD & ADD
PTSD -TRAUMA
Adolescence and being a young adult in today's world brings many challenges and stressors. School, social media. and fitting in can create anxiety, depression acting out and behaviors, such as self abuse, self harming, and or eating disorders.
Entering new areas of life, such as marriage, divorce and going off to school can bring many stressors to some people. At Giving Grace Counseling we can help you plan these new parts of your life
We provide support for adolescents with the challenges of ADHD and ADD. We focus on helping teens develop executive functioning skills, improve focus and organization, manage things and manage life and build confidence in both academic and social settings. Through structured sessions, individualized strategies, we create practical tools to foster long-term well-being.
Traumatic events such as war, combat, assault, or prolonged exposure to traumatic effects can have lasting effects on many aspects of our lives if not properly addressed through therapy. At Giving Grace Counseling we have a qualified therapist certified in PTSD and trauma therapy,
COUPLE COUNSELING
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SELF HARM
EATING DISORDERS
Compassionate and personalized couples counseling to help couples enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their emotional connection. In a safe and supportive environment. We work with partners to build healthier, more fulfilling relationships
Approximately 60-70% of divorced individuals in the U.S. eventually remarry. Getting remarried or divorced, can sometimes create pressures. We provide a comfortable setting with experienced staff for a couple to continue on a productive, happy and fulfilling life.
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Alcohol and drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions.. The proliferation of prescription drug abuse is at an all-
time high,. Marijuana is legal in most states. The return of psychedelics such as psilocybin mushroom has created additional abuse problems for our youth. For adolescence it creates " a-motivational syndrome" which gets in the way of homework and other obligations. It is also characterized by making risky decisions in their lives. Denial is the biggest symptom in alcohol and drug abuse characterized by minimization, rationalization and projection of blame on others. A drop in grades, having different friends, perhaps things are missing from the house. me on others.
Self-harm, such as cutting and burning where individuals intentionally inflict pain on themselves, often as a coping mechanism to deal with emotional distress, trauma, or other mental health issues. These are usually done in solitary situations in a manner that other people can't see them, such as upper arms, upper legs were pants or shirts covered up.. It can provide a sense of control, but it is a sign of underlying emotional struggles that require attention and support. .
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We offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space for individuals with eating disorders, such anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and disordered eating patterns. We focuses on building a healthier relationship with food and body image through evidence-based interventions and treatment.. We work collaboratively with patients and their families. We address underlying emotional issues, develop coping skills, and promote long-term recovery and self-compassion.
Upcoming specialty groups, at Giving Grace Counseling
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Depending on a patient population, Giving Grace Counseling periodically has specialty groups based on current and past patient population as well anyone from the community.
In the fall of 2025 we will be starting a group for individuals dealing with loss from death, divorce, separation or loss of employment. In the in the group, the members will have more in common than things uncommon, which will allow for a smooth flow of ideas and thoughts and goals. If you'd like to sign up for this group, please call the office and we will put you on our waitin
Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Call Now - Life is Waiting - 1-256-850-4091
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Giving Grace Counseling provides you current information, on mental health and substance abuse.
Current Drug Trends in Huntsville/Madison Area
The USA has witnessed patterns in substance abuse. After peak of over 110,000 overdose deaths in 2023, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, decline in 2024 bringing the total to approximately 80,000 to 90,000. en.wikipedia.org+2vox.com+2theguardian.com. Despite this encouraging shift, stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine continued to rise according to the nypost.com. The meth epidemic in the Huntville area continues to rise. Adolescents, drug use is high but below the below pre-pandemic levels (e.g., around 11–32 % across 8th–12th graders in 2023) ,. Opioid abuse up 41% and fentanyl use rising 47% between 2022 and 2023 according to nida.nih.gov+1nypost.com+1.
Use of psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) in the U.S. has risen . A survey in 2023 found that 3.1 % of adults used psilocybin in the past year (8 million people), while about 12% reported lifetime use according to: Science Magazine.com . Multisource studies spanning 2014–2023 report a post‑2019 surge: a 44% increase in past-year use among 18–29‑year-olds and a staggering 188% rise among older adults.
today in America, 5% of people taking pain medication by prescription have a dependency or addiction to that medication
Depression And Anxiety
Research shows a concerning rise in depression and anxiety among adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), nearly 1 in 3 high school students (29%) reported poor mental health most of the time during the past 30 days, and 42% felt persistently sad or hopeless in the past year—a key indicator of depressive symptoms. These rates are higher among girls (57%) and LGBTQ+ youth (69%).
A 2022 meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics found that 1 in 4 adolescents worldwide is experiencing clinically elevated symptoms of depression, and 1 in 5 is experiencing elevated anxiety. The pandemic has significantly worsened these rates, particularly for female and older adolescents.
Data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) further indicates that in the U.S., around 17% of adolescents aged 12–17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year (2021 data), with higher prevalence among females (25%) compared to males (9%).
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Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are treatable mental health conditions that involve preoccupation with food, weight, and body. They often come with emotional pain, anxiety, shame or past trauma. They include anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder, are the most prominent.
Anorexia is severe food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia often appear high-functioning, making the disorder harder to detect.
Bulimia involves episodes of binge eating followed by efforts to compensate—such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia feel trapped in a painful cycle of guilt and secrecy. Over time, the disorder can cause issues like digestive problems, electrolyte imbalances, cognitive impairment and dental damage.
Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. It involves recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food quickly, often in secret, and feeling out of control or distressed afterward.
We use compassionate, evidence-based therapies to help individuals find relief and lasting recovery.
Insurance and Billing
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Giving Grace counseling is in an network provider for for the following insurance companies: We submit claims directly to insurance for you and are then happy to assist you with verifying outpatient therapy benefits including deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, and outpatient out-of-pocket maximum before beginning therapy.
In-network Providers
​BlueCross BlueShield
United Health Care
We will also process out of network insurance companies for reimbursement
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For those who do not use insurance to pay for therapy, Giving Grace Counseling out-of-pocket rates are $100.00 per session. However we do offer sliding scale in special circumstances. Unfortunately we do not take Medicaid or Medicare at this time.
Contact
For general insurance, and billing inquiries please call:
at: Tel: 256-850-4091
Fax: 256-970-1643
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Our Location
2311 Market Place
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
It is right off Rt 231 at Bob Wallace Ave.
Fees:
Individual Counseling - $100 per session
Couples Counseling -$120 per session
Family Counseling - $120 per session
Interventions - $2000
Group Counseling - $50 per Hour
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Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Gretchen Shay MSW, LCSW, CADC,LICSW,CCPT.
Additional Resources
National Suicide or Crisis Hotline - available 24 hours a day, seven days a week - call or text 988
Mental Health Matters
Provides mental health services K-12
Tel: : 256.464.8370
Alcoholics Anonymous
24 hr Hotline: (608) 222-8989
Senior Services - Madison Senior Center
Provide services for active adults in the area. Good resource for new people moving to the area.
Tel: 256-772-6242
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Alcoholics Anonymous
"Madison "Hopeful Group"
Has AA meeting every day
Tel: 256-885-0323
Limestone County Veterans Assistance
Provides assistance to veterans.
Tel: 256-233-6459
Narcotics Anonymous
Tel:+1 256.500-8889
Madison County Dept. of Mental Health
Tel: 1-256-535-5399
Community Services.
Madison Ala
Provides Kids Camp, RX Drug Take-Back Program, crisis intervention
Silver Lining Interventions
Provides family interventions and safe transportation to treatment
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Programs(SAMHSA)
Provides the location of treatment centers and mental health centers. Also gives information on places to take sliding scale or Medicaid.​
Call or Text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org​​
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