Be Kind to Your Mind We often hear the phrase be kind to others, but how often do we practice kindness toward ourselves—especially our minds? The way we think, the words we speak to ourselves, and the care we give our mental well-being all matter. Your mind deserves kindness, too. Life can be overwhelming, and… Continue reading Be Kind to Your Mind
Tag: Therapy
It is Okay to Ask for Help
It Is Okay to Ask for Help Somewhere along the way, we’ve been told that asking for help is a sign of weakness. That struggling alone is more admirable than admitting we need support. But that’s a lie. Asking for help is not weakness—it’s courage. Life can be overwhelming. Some days feel heavier than others,… Continue reading It is Okay to Ask for Help
Preconceived Notions: More Than Meets the Eye
Preconceived Notions: More Than Meets the Eye Preconceived notions—they’re something, aren’t they? I remember walking into my clinic one day and feeling every set of eyes on me. At my previous job, I was required to dress professionally for my outpatient clients. But I also worked as a therapist in a 30-day inpatient residential treatment… Continue reading Preconceived Notions: More Than Meets the Eye
What Do You Want To Do?
What Do You Want To Do? This is a question that I would pose to my ladies when I worked as the inpatient residential therapist, "What do you want to do when you grow up?". They would come to our facility, at their lowest of lows, broken with little hope. My job was to give… Continue reading What Do You Want To Do?
What is a Traumaversary?
What is a Traumaversary? A traumaversary is the anniversary of some sort of trauma in your life. It can be from a deployment, abuse, car accident, traumatic pregnancy/birth, house fires, neglect... the list can go on and on. You aren't obsessing over all the bad things that happened in your life. It is simply something… Continue reading What is a Traumaversary?
Psychogenic Itching
Psychogenic Itching: What It Is and How It Affects Us Yes, Psychogenic itching is a real thing, and I didn’t even realize that was what was happening to me until recently. As a therapist, I am constantly learning—whether through trainings, observing other therapists, from clients, or personal experiences. A few years ago, I tried… Continue reading Psychogenic Itching
Dare to Step Out of Your Box and Live
Dare to Step Out of Your Box and Live I recently came across a piece of content by Luke Mind Power that really resonated with me. He shares empowering messages about self-love, positive thinking, and believing in yourself. Honestly, I need that kind of encouragement right now. His encouragement was to Dare to Step Out… Continue reading Dare to Step Out of Your Box and Live
Breathing in Hope as I Navigate Rough Waters
Breathing in Hope as I Navigate Rough Waters The past few years have been filled with so many challenges that it's difficult to even begin to describe everything I've been through. I was talking with my therapist recently, and she often asks me, "What would you tell your client?" For me, answering that is easy:… Continue reading Breathing in Hope as I Navigate Rough Waters
Let Us Marinate
Let Us Marinate Let Us Marinate on the picture. Open it up, enlarge it and just look. This canvas is a 16x20, and there is NO room left to put ANY type of bead. Beads of Courage is defined as "Every time a bead is given, courage is honored, suffering is alleviated, resilience is strengthened, and… Continue reading Let Us Marinate
What is and is Not in My Control
What is and is Not in My Control What is and is Not in My Control. I am a work in progress. Without hesitation, I can tell you that trying to control everything is 99.9% of my problem. Well, that and lack of trusting anyone...maybe that goes hand in hand, I don't know. It's a… Continue reading What is and is Not in My Control
The Dark Days
A note from Brandi:This guest post discusses depression, trauma, medication, therapy, isolation, emotional darkness, and mental health struggles. It is shared with permission and reflects the personal experience and perspective of the writer. It is offered for awareness, encouragement, and education. It is not therapy, clinical advice, crisis care, or a substitute for professional support.… Continue reading The Dark Days
Postpartum Depression and Suicide
Postpartum Depression and Suicide Postpartum Depression and Suicide are real things. The girls' first 14 months of life were traumatizing for me as their mom. They had several health issues such as Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Small For Gestational Age, Failure To Thrive, and many other things. On the day of my 30th birthday, things… Continue reading Postpartum Depression and Suicide
Choices that I Made
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 The Lord chose me and His choices are for me to live! Life-Changing Events Being a young parent is hard. Tremendously hard. It changes you when you have complicated pregnancies and one delivery that almost loses your child. The lack of… Continue reading Choices that I Made
Struggling with Depression and Anxiety at a Young Age
Struggling with Depression and Anxiety at a Young Age I have struggled with Depression and Anxiety a Young Age since I was young. My parents divorced when I was two and a half years old. Then both parents remarried. My mom had two other daughters with my stepfather. He was mentally and physically abusive to… Continue reading Struggling with Depression and Anxiety at a Young Age
Suicide Sprinkled Throughout My Life
Suicide Sprinkled Throughout My Life Suicide has been a thread woven through my life, though I didn’t fully understand it until I was older. As a child, I saw sadness and knew that people had passed away, but the gravity of it escaped me. The word itself was foreign to me until I was about… Continue reading Suicide Sprinkled Throughout My Life
My Life is Hard
As you can see, mental illness can affect every ounce of your life. Thoughts come and go like the ocean's tides, yet she remains steadfast. She is trying and reaching out. Though some days, all appears well with her, in her mind, they are not. Please show grace and kindness to all you meet. You… Continue reading My Life is Hard