There is no mistaking that the current COVID-19 pandemic touches us all. There are new or heightened worries about one’s health, loved ones, and stability. Some are experiencing loss and grief. Also, there are missed experiences and a general stir craziness many individuals and families feel. I’ve heard friends describe it as feeling like theContinue reading “Unconditional Self-Friendship During a Pandemic: 4 Tips to Being with Yourself”
Tag Archives: kennesaw counselor
Breathe
With your feet flat on the floor, back straight, and in a comfortable sitting position, take 10 deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Relax your shoulders as you do this. Close your eyes if you’d like. Notice what it feels like to take each breath, letting your lungsContinue reading “Breathe”
Three Keys to Listening Well
Listening is loving. It is food for the soul and nourishment for relationships. Being heard and understood deeply has a powerful effect, enabling us to feel safe, cared for, loved, and empowered. However, listening well can be difficult. This is becoming even more of a challenge in today’s society where a million distractions lay atContinue reading “Three Keys to Listening Well”
Making Space for Grief
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” – Washington Irving Everyone will know seasons of loss and grief. Some of these endings we canContinue reading “Making Space for Grief”
On Feeling Stuck & How Therapy Helps
In my time meeting with new clients, I often hear some variation of this shared: “I don’t know…I just feel stuck.” This experience of feeling stuck leads many people to consider and potentially try therapy. I have a hunch that at some point most people find themselves in such a place… But what does itContinue reading “On Feeling Stuck & How Therapy Helps”
“The Stories We Tell Ourselves”: Thoughts on Brené Brown’s ‘Rising Strong’
Today I share my thoughts on Brené Brown’s newest book Rising Strong. The book is a continuation of her first two, The Gifts of Imperfection & Daring Greatly (which I have reviewed here). In it she continues sharing her findings of years of research on the topics of living wholeheartedly – or from a placeContinue reading ““The Stories We Tell Ourselves”: Thoughts on Brené Brown’s ‘Rising Strong’”
Cultivating Presence & Love: What Dogs Teach Us About “Being”
Eight months ago my husband & I got a dog (Winston, pictured left), and amidst the process of potty training and curbing his desire for chewing corners of furniture, we found ourselves with a new best friend. Further, in my little journey of puppy parenting, there are these small moments – flashes of insight – in whichContinue reading “Cultivating Presence & Love: What Dogs Teach Us About “Being””
Acceptance & Empowerment: When Change Happens Deeply
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person Upon hearing the quote above, some individuals question psychotherapist, Carl Rogers’s message. You may similarly wonder, “How does that work?” The idea of Acceptance preceding Change goes against much of theContinue reading “Acceptance & Empowerment: When Change Happens Deeply”
On the Parent, Adult, & Child Within: The Voices that Guide Us
Psychotherapist & founder of Transactional Analysis, Eric Berne, is famous for creating P-A-C (Parent-Adult-Child), a theory about personality based on the idea that each person contains three psychological positions or “voices” that guide our interactions & choices. I have found that this creative framework allows us an opportunity to better understand ourselves and the way we interactContinue reading “On the Parent, Adult, & Child Within: The Voices that Guide Us”
Healing & Uniting in Relationship: Three Keys to Constructive Communication
“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” ~ Rollo May (late psychologist/psychotherapist) Communication is key in not only healing from wounds in relationship but also – as Rollo May states (above) – it is essential in truly understanding another person, being understood yourself, and cultivating intimacy and mutual respect together.Continue reading “Healing & Uniting in Relationship: Three Keys to Constructive Communication”
Lydia Minear LPC 