Let’s be honest…social media plays a role in all of our lives. Even if you’re deliberately not on social networks, the existence of social media has changed the way we relate and connect with each other. One way in which social media has changed the way we relate to each other is that it serves …
Abundant Life Counseling St. Louis
Julie Williamson is the Founder and Therapist of Abundant Life Counseling St. Louis LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist. She enjoys working with adults facing the challenges of family of origin issues, women’s issues, healthy dating relationships, emotional abuse, depression, and anxiety.
Early Warning Signs…
I was recently asked, “What are some early signs your partner won’t ever love you in the way you deserve?” My initial response was, “Yeesh. Tough question!” But as I started thinking about it, I wondered: what signs do we miss in those early days of a relationship where we’re so in loooove that we …
Subtle – but Noteworthy – Reasons to End Your Relationship
Have you been here? You’re dating someone, you know they’re not perfect (because no human being is), and you know healthy relationships always include some kind of conflict. But how do you know when the seemingly small things that bother you about your relationship are actually signs of a larger problem? Here are some examples …
Ways to Combat Boredom in Your Relationship
Relationships typically start out in a flurry of passion and excitement. It’s natural that those feelings may wane after settling into a life with someone that involves daily routines, and people’s imperfections and annoying quirks come to the surface. The more time we spend with someone, the more we will start to see these things. …
Vulnerability: How to Practice It
We all have those oversharers on our Facebook feeds, the ones that share information that make us cringe, or at least think, “Wow! I can’t believe they’re posting that on social media!” My husband and I recently learned the word fremdschämen, a German term that describes “the feeling of shame on someone else’s behalf; the …
Vulnerability: How Does It Impact Our Mental Health?
Last month, I started a blog series on vulnerability and its impact on our mental health. In the first blog (which you can access here), we defined vulnerability (as best as one can define this dense topic!), discussed what it looks in everyday life, and how we can own it and engage with it in …
Rough Patch? Or Toxic Wasteland?
I was recently asked about how to discern if a relationship has simply hit a rough patch or if it’s toxic. This is a common discussion I’ve had with numerous clients and friends over the years, and one that I had to wrestle through personally in a past relationship. Let’s break it down: Any relationship …
Vulnerability: What is it?
Why write a blog on vulnerability? As I write these words, with the intention of publishing them for the world to read, I struggle to answer my own question. My reason for writing about vulnerability reflects my own experiences of vulnerability in the past, and one truth stands out: the times that I’ve been my …
Laugh It Off?
Today (April 16) is National Stress Awareness Day. Since the month of April is National Humor Month (you can read more about that here), I thought I’d explore how humor can be a tool in relieving stress. Have you heard about these laugh groups popping up around the country (also referred to as laughter yoga)? …
Listening to the Noise
My husband and I were in Waco, TX this weekend, and after indulging in my love for all things Fixer Upper, we wandered into a nearby market where I found this sign. I had to take a picture because, YES – this is my prayer each and everyday, not only for my clients, but for …