I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day. (You’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Valentine’s Day in the summertime, but hang with me…I promise I have a point!) Even when I was dating someone in the month of February, I always felt the sentiment of the holiday to feel a bit…forced. I felt I had …
Singleness
Get Off the Struggle Bus
“You want me to accept what?!” Sometimes when I talk with clients about allowing their difficult emotions to exist inside of them, instead of offering some “prescription” or intervention for making them disappear, I notice I get one of two reactions: 1) my clients look at me like I have two heads (and may be thinking about …
The Benefits of Self-Reflection
A few years ago, I had a profound experience of crashing and burning. I had been working for a non-profit counseling agency, doing in-home family therapy. I had loved my job for most of my time working there; I loved my co-workers and I believed in the work I was doing. About two years into …
Wholeness
Happy Spring! It’s hard to believe we’re into APRIL already, but I am so glad that we are! I don’t know about you, but, as much as I love the first snowfall of winter, I start to not love the fifth snowfall, especially when it’s in March! I’m excited for spring and the new growth that comes …
Why We Need Other People
My idea of an ideal evening? Good food, good friends, and good conversation. I’ve noticed that I feel most myself and most energized in these settings. There’s a reason for that – and it’s not just because I’m an extrovert on the Myers-Briggs! I’ve had conversations with clients and friends–who are introverted–about our longing as …
Living Life to the Full (Anxiety Not Withstanding)
My original idea for this blog post was to talk about how one can thrive and live life to the fullest even in the midst of anxiety. I wanted to provide practical tips and tools for those who struggle with anxiety to use in everyday life to increase their enjoyment of life. I’m realizing that, …
Vitality
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that you are encouraged about the year ahead! I know that I am! Exciting things are happening at Abundant Life Counseling St. Louis! Our first PICK group is launching this month, and I’m so excited about the folks who are joining us! I’m …
Setting Intentions for the New Year
I gave up setting New Year’s resolutions a long time ago.They were never really that great (mostly about changing some aspect of my body rather than self-acceptance and appreciating the healthy body I’ve already got), I never really stuck to them (I’m not sure any diet I ever tried made it past January), and I …
Tips for Surviving Holiday Blues
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But what if it isn’t? Many folks find themselves with a case of the blues during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. It can serve as a reminder of grief, for those who sat around our Christmas tree last year, but are no longer with …
My Guilty Pleasure Show
I enjoy watching the Bachelor shows. I admit it. The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise…I even watched the Bachelor Winter Games this past winter. And it’s not just because a group of girlfriends and I gather on Monday nights to eat, drink, and dissect the show together (which is definitely so much fun and …