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Rediscovering Joy When the Holidays Feel Hard
Driving through town the other evening, I noticed the first wave of holiday lights making their appearance. Wreaths on doors. Inflatable snowmen staked proudly into front yards. And on one home, tall, wooden letters spelling out the word JOY lit up in bright white bulbs. It was beautiful. Cheerful. Festive. And yet, as I kept driving, something inside me sank a little. Because earlier that same day, in conversations I had and stories I heard, like so many of us do in the mental health field, the theme was heavy. Someone grieving their first holiday without a loved one. A parent facing financial strain that makes gift-giving stressful. People navigating…
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Peace Over Perfect: A Different Way to Do the Holidays
The holidays are, for many, “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, they are also the most stressful. Money worries, family tension, crowded schedules, and high expectations can all pile up. If you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or even a little numb during the holidays, you are not alone—and it does not mean something is wrong with you. Here are some simple, realistic ways to manage stress and find a little more peace during the holidays. 5 Ways to Bring More Peace Into Your Holidays This Year 1. Lower the Bar A lot of holiday stress comes from trying to make everything “perfect.” Perfect gifts, perfect house,…
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The Art of Pondering: How Slowing Down Helps You Find Clarity
Last week, I had the honor of joining a group of leaders from across Louisiana at the Edward Lowe Foundation headquarters. The experience reminded me of something we often overlook in our busy lives — the power of slowing down. It was one of those rare opportunities that pulled me out of my usual routine and gave me the space to pause, breathe, and reflect on what really matters. If you’re not familiar with Ed Lowe, he was the creator of one of the first-ever kitty litters, now known as Tidy Cat. But what I love most about his story is that his vision extended far beyond a product. He…
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️Holding Compassion When the World Feels Divided: A Therapist’s Reflection
When the world feels divided, it takes real courage to stay compassionate. Every day, we’re surrounded by headlines, opinions, and social media posts that pull us toward sides, slogans, or silence. Beneath all the noise, many people simply want to stay human — to still care, even when caring feels complicated, confusing, or hurtful. From a therapeutic posture, I see this tension often. Clients come in carrying grief, frustration, or pain about the world around them. As therapists, we hold space for that pain while gently reminding each person that compassion doesn’t mean weakness or conformity — it means staying grounded in our shared humanity. Compassion and Accountability Can Coexist …
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Breaking Free from Trauma: How It Affects Us and How to Heal
Trauma. It’s a word we often hear, but it can feel heavy, complicated, or even like it’s reserved for “big” life events. The truth is, trauma is simply an emotional response to something deeply distressing. And every one of us experiences events in life that can leave us feeling vulnerable, shaken, or changed. How Trauma Shows Up in Our Lives Whether it’s the loss of someone we love, a painful relationship, an accident, a health scare, or even subtle experiences that chip away at our sense of safety. These moments impact us. They shape the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. Here’s the thing: experiencing trauma is part…
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Suicide Prevention: Warning Signs and When to Seek Help
Suicide is one of the most pressing public health issues in the United States today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the 11th leading cause of death overall. For young people ages 10–24, it ranks even higher, making suicide the second leading cause of death in this age group. These numbers show that suicide is not just a statistic—it is a crisis affecting families, schools, and communities across the nation. Understanding the Numbers In 2023, suicide rates revealed concerning patterns: These patterns remind us that suicide affects people differently depending on their age, gender, and cultural background. Suicide prevention efforts need to be sensitive…
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When Hope Feels Out of Reach: A Reflection for Suicide Awareness Month
September is Suicide Awareness Month, and it calls us to pause and acknowledge a difficult reality: suicide touches more lives than we often realize. Whether through the loss of someone we love, the struggles of a friend, or even our own silent battles, this issue is not far away—it affects our communities, our families, and often touches lives more closely than we realize. The Hidden Struggle Behind Suicide Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and it does not discriminate. It affects people of every background, at every age, and in every corner of the country. Behind each number is a story of someone…
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How to Support High-Support Needs Families: A Therapist’s Insight
For those of you who know me personally, it’s hard to know me without knowing my brother. My brother is the reason why I am the helper I am. The therapist I am. And the woman I am today. He has taught me more of my life lessons than any other person, and has done so without using words. My brother has Level 3 Autism, or what used to be referred to as “severe Autism.” He is conversationally non-verbal and has epilepsy. Inside the Challenges of a High-Support Needs Family Life has always been different for my family. We don’t go to restaurants. We take shifts on who is watching…
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Learning to Manage Stress — Before It Manages You
Stress. We all experience it, and as a therapist, I can tell you it doesn’t discriminate. It shows up in every walk of life — at work, at home, in relationships, and in moments when we least expect it. Feeling stressed is completely normal, and in small doses, it can motivate and focus us. But when it becomes chronic, it can quietly build until it’s managing you. When Stress Starts to Manage Your Life I’ve watched this happen so many times — and felt it myself. You’re getting through the days, putting out one fire after another. You tell yourself it’s just a “busy season” or that “things will slow…
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Unpacking Your Core Beliefs: What ‘Inside Out’ Can Teach You
One of the most important things to consider when addressing mental health challenges is focusing on what’s within your control—namely, you. You may not be able to control how your parents, siblings, or others behave in your relationships, but you can take steps to better understand yourself and your thought patterns. A great place to start is by exploring your core beliefs—the ideas you hold about yourself, others, and the world. Inside Riley’s Mind: How Childhood Experiences Shape Our Core Beliefs If you’ve ever seen the movie Inside Out (and if you haven’t, you should!), you might remember the main character, Riley, and her collection of core memories—glowing glass orbs…
