Part of what I do as a counselor is help people identify and use their strengths and God-given gifts to improve their mental health. That work is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about seeing what is already working in you, then using it on purpose. How do we find the strengths and … Continue reading How to Use Your Strengths Every Day
Category: Happiness
How We Think About Ourselves Matters
Mindset matters. What do you think about yourself? You are as creative as you think you are. You’ll be as successful as you think you’ll be. You can handle as much as you think you can handle. Most of the time, it comes down to what you think of yourself. Mindset is important... not in … Continue reading How We Think About Ourselves Matters
The First Step to Digital Detox
Digital detox is a great topic that many of my clients are asking about, so let's talk about it. Our phones and screens can cause significant distress because they are frequently grasping for our attention. When we turn to them, we can lose touch with reality and the importance of self-care and emotional well-being. About … Continue reading The First Step to Digital Detox
9 Habits that Boost Your Mood
Have you been feeling depressed or lost? By developing some healthy habits you can alter your mood for the better. The 9 habits in this video are small steps that you can take, plus little research tidbits. 1. Practice gratitude2. Give compliments3. Experience and go with the flow4. Savor the little moments5. Exercise6. Get enough … Continue reading 9 Habits that Boost Your Mood
Never Lose Hope, Even When Times Feel Hopeless: Seasons change
Never lose hope because things can change. Circumstances and situations change, sometimes in the blink of an eye and sometimes over a few years. I like spending time outdoors, so I think of change as weather patterns and seasons. Using this as a metaphor, we dress appropriately for the daily weather and for each season, … Continue reading Never Lose Hope, Even When Times Feel Hopeless: Seasons change
Live Now and Lift Your Spirits with “High Hopes”
High Hopes by Patrick Lindsay is a book that contains simple suggestions, supported by quotes of wisdom. It encourages us to slow down and make small changes. To live moment by moment. We have the power to change our lives. I like this little book for myself and the people I work with. Simple suggestions … Continue reading Live Now and Lift Your Spirits with “High Hopes”
4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety
People are under an increased amount of stress due to the ongoing 2020 coronavirus pandemic, which has no concrete ending. People who don't have a mental health disorder, such as anxiety, are also experiencing mental health vulnerabilities during this time. They report having issues like difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering things, sleep disturbance, and decreased mood. … Continue reading 4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety
Are You Feeling Distressed?: Rate your level of distress
Use this distress scale to help you become more aware of how you are doing. The scale is 0 to 10, where 0 is that you feel at peace and are completely calm, and 10 is distress that is so unbearable that you cannot function. Refer to the scale, as-needed. If you find yourself rated … Continue reading Are You Feeling Distressed?: Rate your level of distress
Things to Remember During Bad Days
Your day is still full of potential and possibilities even if The weather is nasty and you're stuck indoors. Your car got a flat tire on the way to work. You received a negative report that was out of your control. You didn't get the job or raise. A major household appliance broke. You received … Continue reading Things to Remember During Bad Days
What People Think Therapy is vs What it Actually is
What people think it is: • Talking to a therapist about problems. What it actually is: • Talking to a therapist about problems. • Making changes to thoughts and behaviors. • Psychoeducation. • Building awareness of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. • Between session work. • Learning and practicing coping strategies. • Working on becoming less … Continue reading What People Think Therapy is vs What it Actually is