Standing with kids and families through life's hard moments

The Vytis is a historic Lithuanian symbol that when literally translated to English means "the chaser" or "the pursuer" but its connotation is more of a proactive protector/caregiver. Traditionally it is represented by a mounted knight. 

Vytis Counseling is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and secure within themselves. Seeking support is a proactive step toward the life you're striving for - not a sign of weakness, but a pursuit of growth, balance, and healing. Just as the Vytis stands as a symbol of active protection, our practice stands beside you as you pursue meaningful, lasting change. 

Mike Skirius PhD, LPC-MHSP, CCMHC, NCC is a licensed and board-certified clinical mental health counselor with advanced training in child and adolescent counseling, crisis intervention, and threat assessment. His clinical work emphasizes emotional and behavioral regulation, family collaboration, and developmental sensitivity. Dr. Skirius is an active member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC),  the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), and serves as an assistant clinical professor of counseling at The University of Memphis. 

Children and teens (ages 6-18) and their families are the primary clinical focus of Vytis Counseling. 

The play therapy space for younger children is a developmentally appropriate, comfortable environment designed to help kids express and work through emotions in ways that match how they naturally communicate. Children often do not have the words to describe big feelings, stress, or confusion, but they do communicate clearly through play. Child-centered play therapy is a well-researched counseling approach that uses movement, creativity, and play to support emotional regulation, problem-solving, and healthy self-expression. Through a supportive and structured therapeutic relationship, children are given the space to explore their experiences at their own pace, helping them build coping skills, confidence, and a stronger sense of safety—because healing should make sense at every age. 

$200 per session (flat rate)

Sliding scale spots prioritized for families in public service, first responder, military, or education roles, or with financial need. Please inquire for availability of sliding scale spots.

No charge for between-session coordination/consultation. 

Threat Assessment Evaluations starting at $500.  

Vytis Counseling does not accept insurance, but can provide superbills for your submission to insurance providers. 

Aggressive or acting-out behaviors are often signals of unmet needs, stress, or difficulty expressing emotions safely. Dr. Skirius works with youth and families to understand the underlying causes of these behaviors and to develop safer, more effective ways of coping and communicating. The goal is not punishment, but helping clients build emotional regulation, problem-solving and communication skills, and accountability in a way that supports long-term growth and stability. 

Anxiety can affect daily functioning, relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being. Counseling helps clients identify patterns of anxious thinking, recognize physical and emotional warning signs, and develop practical tools for managing stress and uncertainty. Treatment is focused on building confidence, flexibility, and effective coping skills so anxiety becomes more manageable rather than controlling. 

Depression often presents as persistent sadness, irritability, withdrawal, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Counseling supports clients in understanding these experiences, addressing contributing stressors, and rebuilding motivation and emotional connection. The focus is on fostering insight, strengthening coping strategies, and gradually restoring a sense of hope, purpose, and engagement in daily life. 

Difficult emotions and behaviors often show up when a person feels overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unsure how to respond to stress. Dr. Skirius works with children, adolescents, and families to build practical skills for recognizing emotional cues, managing impulses, and responding in healthier, more adaptive ways. Treatment focuses on strengthening self-awareness, improving coping strategies, and creating a sense of internal control so emotions no longer feel so overwhelming or unmanageable. 

Academic demands, peer relationships, and family dynamics can create significant stress for children and adolescents. Counseling helps clients and families better understand these pressures, improve communication, and develop problem-solving strategies that reduce conflict and promote stability at home and at school. The goal is to help clients feel supported while building skills that strengthen resilience and emotional balance. 

Experiences of self-harm or suicidal thoughts can be frightening and overwhelming for both clients and families. Counseling provides a structured, supportive space to assess safety, understand contributing factors, and develop coping strategies that reduce risk. Treatment focuses on increasing emotional regulation, strengthening protective factors, and helping clients find safer ways to manage distress while working closely with caregivers and other supports when appropriate. 

Substance use can be a way of coping with stress, emotional pain, or peer pressure, particularly during adolescence. Counseling focuses on understanding the role substances play in a client’s life, identifying risks, and developing healthier alternatives for coping and decision-making. Treatment is supportive and developmentally informed, with an emphasis on safety, accountability, and long-term well-being. 

Concerns about potential violence, threats, or dangerous behavior require thoughtful, ethical, and proactive intervention. Services in this area focus on identifying risk factors, understanding behavior in context, and supporting early, preventative responses that prioritize safety. When appropriate, collaboration with families, schools, and other professionals helps ensure concerns are addressed in a structured, responsible manner that reduces risk and supports positive outcomes. 

In addition to clinical counseling services, Dr. Skirius provides consultation, collaboration, and training for schools, faith communities, private companies, and community agencies. These services are designed to support safe, developmentally informed, and ethically sound responses to emotional, behavioral, and safety-related concerns. Consultation may include guidance around behavioral support planning, crisis response, threat assessment and management, and systems-level problem solving. Training offerings focus on practical, evidence-based strategies that help professionals recognize risk, respond early, and foster environments that promote emotional regulation, safety, and well-being. Services are tailored to the needs of each organization and emphasize collaboration rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.