You don’t have to go far to have an encounter with yoga. It’s pretty common to hear someone, somewhere talking about it, or even better, doing it. It could be your coworker sharing how they want to get out of work early enough to catch the train and attend their preferred, favorite yoga class. It might be the pop-up advertisement...[ read more ]
What inspired you to become a counselor? Growing up in an intact, Christian home doesn’t guarantee one is free from challenges or relationship stress. I became aware of the pain of unhealed wounds from unresolved past trauma, including those that stem from my family of origin. Thus, I’ve always been drawn to people’s stories. Stories bring insight into their inner...[ read more ]
Take a breath. Really do it…don’t just read these words. Take a nice, full, and deep breath. Give yourself this moment to breathe. Wherever you are as you read this post, bring your attention to your body. What do you notice? Perhaps your breath is short and rapid right now. Does that surprise you or do you feel as though...[ read more ]
Humans are meaning-making beings, and we are wired to tell stories. This is a beautiful thing in so many ways, and sometimes this is how we get stuck: we mistake our interpreted meaning or “story” for reality. It happens often in work, in relationships, and in day-to-day encounters. It is inevitable. The problem arises when we are unaware of the...[ read more ]
What inspired you to become a counselor? Studying art and psychology in my undergraduate years at Wheaton College broadened my understanding of what counseling can be. In creative spaces, I was able to learn about the therapeutic aspects of art-making and hear from others about their own experiences of healing in the midst of their creative process. Both art and counseling...[ read more ]
What does it feel like when you make a mistake? Do you laugh it off, knowing you’re human and mistakes are common to all of us? Do you see it as an opportunity, finding ways to learn and grow from it? Or, do you feel anxious, panicky, and self-critical, feeling sure that others are judging you too? If you tend...[ read more ]
What if someone told you that your kitchen has the potential to be a medicine cabinet? That within the confines of your pantry and refrigerator are items that provide not just for your physical nourishment but also for your mental well-being? The fascinating complexity of the gut-brain connection, and its impact on mental health, is progressively being discovered through research. ...[ read more ]
I recently had the opportunity to learn about one of the fastest growing fields of therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidenced based practice used to treat a broad range of mental health issues. Over the course of this year (80 hours of live training!), I learned about this fascinating model that was developed right here in Chicagoland 30 years...[ read more ]
It is depressing how many men have heard the phrase “man up” in one form or another throughout their life. Whether from a relative, teacher, or significant other, these two words have a powerful impact on men’s emotional health. The “man up” charge carries an expectation and a prescription given to boys and men particularly related to their emotional health....[ read more ]
Hearing traumatic news is disorienting enough. Racing thoughts, fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance are all common reactions. Figuring out how to talk to your children about traumatic news can feel even more challenging. You know your child better than anyone else. You know how they act when they’re excited, when they’re nervous, when they’re about to explode into a tantrum, and...[ read more ]