Therapist opens door in Lewes

Cynthia Wingate has always enjoyed helping people work out their problems. Now, with more than 25 years experience, she has returned to her hometown to offer counseling and therapy.

“I enjoy helping someone reach their personal goals and live a more happy and satisfying life,” said Wingate, from her recently opened office in Lewes at 34434 King Street Row, suite 2.

Wingate grew up in Rehoboth Beach, graduating from Cape Henlopen High School before moving to Jacksonville, Fla. After taking psychology classes at University of North Florida, she said, she realized how much time she spends observing people.

“I've always been intrigued by what makes people think, act and feel the way they do,” she said.

Working as a medical assistant, Wingate said she earned her degree one class at a time. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and later a master of arts in counseling psychology.

In 2009, Wingate opened her private practice in Jacksonville and served clients there until 2016 when she moved back to Rehoboth Beach to be close to family.

Wingate said she approaches counseling as a direct and interactive exchange, closely working with a client to achieve his or her personal goals. She specializes in many areas: depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, grief and coping. She offers behavioral and emotional help for children and adolescents, and also marital and premarital counseling. Over the years, she said, she has concentrated on working with the LGBT population, military combat veterans with PTSD and helping families who have an elderly relative with dementia.

Wingate is certified as a professional counselor of mental health therapy and she is working on certification in brainspotting and Gottman therapy. Brainspotting, she said, uses a person's eyesight as a way to access a traumatic memory or painful emotion. Gottman therapy is a system used to help couples work out problems and improve their relationships. She also offers Mindfulness training to help clients learn to meditate.

“Our society is so fast-paced and rushed,” she said. “We're never where we are in the moment.”

Wingate said her counseling sessions last 50 minutes. During the first meeting, she said, she gets an idea of what the issues are. Throughout later sessions, she said, she may suggest a client read a book or an article or keep a thought diary.

“It's a way to get to the issues,” she said. “What they present usually isn't the core of the problem.”

Wingate said she is awaiting approval to accept health insurance, but in the meantime will accept clients at a rate of $75 per session.

Wingate said she offers same day or next appointment available service. Anyone interested in setting up an appointment can call 302-329-8116.