Counseling the Gifted: Outline of Services

Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Mahoney also does periodic one-on-one consultations with individuals and families at the Science and Arts Academy in Des Plaines, IL. Direct inquiries to Mahoney's office through the e-mail link on this site.

Who we are: My counseling work now extends beyond 20 years. For about 15 years, I ran a center in Herndon, VA, where I specialized in serving the gifted and talented population. In 2005 I decided to move literally and figuratively into a new phase of my work. I left the center I created to spend more time doing workshops, writing and painting. I also appreciate traveling around the country, spreading the word about the gifted and talented and my newest work on Reclaiming your Genius. and Counselor Training for the Gifted and Talented Population (See web site section on workshop.)

Even though I am best known for my work with the gifted and talented, I do not limit myself to that focus. I enjoy working with all types of people and challenges. My training is extensive and diverse.

I have a masters degree in counseling from Western Illinois University, post graduate work with Virginia Tech in counselor education, supervision and family therapy and 12 years of post graduate “externship training” (externship training is extended study of nine to 12months with an institute specializing in post graduate counseling or psychotherapy training, supervision and education). For seven years of my externship training I studied at the Family institute of Virginia with noted family therapists Harry Aponte and Joan Winter. Five years of my training was at the former Center for the Study of Human Systems, with the late Vince and Jane Sweeney. I have done numerous other training experiences over the years, too many to mention here. Always with the intention to keep myself as challenged and diverse as possible when it comes to my work.

Philosophically, I am committed to the embellishment of each individual’s identity, growth and purpose. When working with people I do my best to hear their agenda for growth not mine and I work towards that goal. My work does not have a heavy focus on pathology, even though I do acknowledge that mental illness exists and can be very comprehensive in my assessment of what is occurring.

I work towards providing the best counseling I can offer and when necessary in conjunction with any relevant medical support needed. Overall my intention is to grow with the people I serve and continue to provide them with a greater, more purposeful quality of life.

When working with complex cases or underachievement, my practice uses a team approach with an emphasis on inter-agency collaboration among schools, agencies, treatment programs, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

My experience and training allows me to provide a variety of counseling modalities, including individual, family, couples and group. My goal is to meet as many counseling needs as I can, but for cases I cannot accept, referrals are provided to the best of my ability to an appropriate source.

Even though our emphasis is with the gifted and talented, we provide services for other mental-health-related concerns:

Andrew Mahoney trains mental-health professionals for working with the gifted and provides general individual and group supervision for mental health professionals. He also provides supervision for L.P.C. licensure.

Mahoney also does periodic one-on-one consultations with individuals and families at the Science and Arts Academy in Des Plaines, IL. Direct inquiries to Mahoney's office through the e-mail link on this site.