Recently, I talked to someone who stated they were feeling angry with their intimate partner. When I reflected back to them that they said they were angry, they looked back at me confused. They responded by trying to say they weren’t really angry, because they felt like it was “not acceptable to be angry with those they love”. Here’s something we should all know, it is OKAY to be angry with the ones we love. In fact, it is inevitable that we are going to feel at least some form of anger towards them at some point. We are human. The important thing is to recognize when we are feeling…

May is mental health awareness month.  Mental health is a very important part of our overall health.  Each year millions of Americans are affected by mental illness (1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17).  One way to break the stigma that continues to surround mental health is to talk about it. The more we talk about it, the more it will encourage those struggling to seek the help they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.  Life Can Be Hard We can all agree life comes with challenges.  Many of the challenges we face are not ones we ask for or seek.  Yet, they are still things…

Ever feel like giving up?  Maybe it’s a task you’re working on, goal you are aiming towards or just life in general that isn’t going the way you thought.  You may start to think, “This is too hard.  I can’t do this.  Is this worth it?”  You start compiling the list of reasons why you should just give up.  And then one day you find yourself curled up in a hypothetical ball, telling yourself not nice things, ready to throw in the towel. However, just days, weeks, months, or years prior you thought to yourself with adamant resolution, I will not give up on _________ (fill in the blank).”  …

By: Christy Pennison, LPC-S The many faces of depression can cause a work in your life. Around this time of year when it gets cloudy, rainy, and cold, many individuals can begin to feel “depressed”.  You’ve probably heard of depression before, may struggle with it yourself, or know someone who does, but what is depression really?  What does it look like?   Well, depression can look and feel different from one person to the next.  Depression has many faces.  As a family member, friend, or coworker you may never know if the person next to you is struggling with depression because they look fine on the outside.  They seem “okay”, but…

Letting Go of Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Are you having problems letting go of stinkin’ thinkin’? Do you ever find yourself caught up in stinkin’ thinkin’?  This is when the voice inside your head is telling you everything that is going or could go wrong instead of what is going right.  As these negative thoughts pile up, it can cause feelings of overwhelm or despair. Everyday our inner voice is telling us things that are, quite honestly, not serving or helping us. Turns out, according to the National Science Foundation, we have anywhere from 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day.  Let that sink in. I can’t even count that high! Out of…

Over the past several months most people, myself included, have experienced what I call a “rollercoaster of emotions”.  These emotions have ranged from fear, frustration, stress, anxiety, loss, and sadness, to irritability, anger, and outrage.  When emotions are high, it’s hard not to react to the changes happening around us or the things we see, hear, and experience.     The mental strain and stress of quarantine is taking a toll on individuals, children, and families.  Just the other day I found myself wanting to turn into the female version of the Hulk after entering my 11 year old daughter’s room only to find bright, colored paint all over the floor and…

By: Christy Pennison, LPC-S It’s okay to ask for help! However, asking for help from others is hard for a lot of people.  Maybe this is because we want to be able to do it on our own or we don’t want to be a burden to someone.  However, during a pandemic we should not be trying to “go it alone”.  In fact, now, more than ever we need to give ourselves permission to ask for guidance. Don’t Struggle to Ask for Help If you struggle with asking for help, ask yourself why?  Is it because you are fearful of others’ perceptions?  Scared someone will say no?  Feel it is…

Learning to love yourself requires Love. And loving yourself to love others is hard.  It’s something we all desire.  I haven’t met one person in my life who hasn’t wanted to love or be loved in return.  It’s crazy really.  This “love” thing.  Because no one ever teaches you growing up what love is and what it looks like.  Sure, we see examples of love from the people around us, but sometimes those examples aren’t always loving.  We get taught the basic subjects in school: english, math, science.  But never have I ever gone to a class on love.   The Struggle with Loving Yourself to Love Others Unfortunately, I see…

Examine the beliefs that hold you back. Have you ever wondered how some people can do things that seem impossible? You’ve likely heard stories about people who have pushed themselves to accomplish incredible feats, defying all odds to overcome unimaginable challenges. So what drives individuals to make possible the impossible?  Belief does.   When we believe in something, our belief is the driving force that directs our thoughts and actions.  For example, at one time people believed the earth was flat. So they acted in such a way that reinforced their belief, never sailing further than the familiar.  It wasn’t until someone challenged that belief and exposed the inaccurate belief’s limitations…

What is the one thing you should do in 2022? Entering a new year is a time to reflect on where you’ve been and where you want to go.  For many, it’s a time to consider what they want to change in their life.  There are many goals you could set this year.  Yet, out of all the possible things you could resolve to do, there is one thing you should do in 2022. When I started doing this one thing, my life changed for the better. So, where do I start learning the one thing to do in 2022? Read below to find out! Something Has To Change for…