Yes! For a fresh start to the new year I cleaned, purged and restocked my fridge with nutritious options! (Actually, you’re getting a peek at it after I’ve been enjoying eating it’s healthy contents for several days! ) It’s been very easy to ‘eat my colors’ this way! Read More
If you are like many people, Covid 19 and social distancing made for a long and challenging winter! Thankfully, it is now Spring, vaccines are available, and our world is opening back up! We did a lot of adapting over the last year, and now we find ourselves adapting again. Read More
Is Online Telehealth Counseling For You?
What comes up for you when you think about meeting with your therapist online? I have to admit, I used to be skeptical about the idea of offering online counseling! Recently, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus, I realized that to be protective of everyone’s health, I needed to re-evaluate virtual counseling. Read More
Congratulations! You made it through the gauntlet of activities, responsibilities at work, family obligations, and the endless array of holiday parties. You successfully navigated the caloric onslaught that began with Halloween and concluded with New Year’s Eve. Read More
You have logged a lot of miles in the car since Thanksgiving. A late lunch at your in-laws is followed by a mad dash that evening to your sister’s home. She has hosted the extended family dinner for as long as you can remember. This pre-game ritual leads to the starting line of an annual race which begins early morning Black Friday and, unfortunately, continues up until the last possible minute on Christmas Eve. Read More
You’re not mad. You’re just….disappointed. Read More
Fall is such a wonderful time of year. The sights, the smells, the traditions, and the memories all with a touch of pumpkin spice adds to the annual charm of autumn. Colors change, leaves fall, and fireplaces bring warmth and light as the amount of daylight wanes more every day. But, as much as you love this season, you can’t get past what happened. That event has completely robbed you of the joy this season used to bring. The more you think about it, the angrier you become. Some of the friends you confided in said, ‘Give it time.’ Time has not brought healing for you. If anything, the resentment has become more intense Read More
You can’t help but smile as you look at the old pictures. The floodgates open and the memories begin to flow. There was just something about Grandma. She had a way of making people feel welcomed, loved, and comfortable no matter where you were. The lobby at church, in the bleachers at a softball game, or standing in the aisle at the grocery store - she was able to connect with anyone. Read More
Failure. That’s all you hear echoing in your ears as you scroll through your friend’s Facebook feed. They have the picture postcard marriage, children on the Dean’s list, and no weeds in their garden. As much as you want to celebrate the victories of life that they are enjoying, you can’t help but compare their perfection with your inadequacies. Read More
You’ve been patient. Some might say you are down-right antsy, but who can blame you. This has been worth the wait. The month of June not only marks the season of graduations, Father’s Day celebrations, and the endless wave of weddings every weekend; it provides you with one of the most cherished days of the year for someone dealing with depression: The Summer Solstice. Read More
That term alone conjures up grainy, black and white images of 1930’s America. Endless lines at a soup kitchen filled with weary souls in need of sustenance with a side order of hope. History reminds us that the greatest economic downturn in the industrialized world, which lasted a decade, began with the stock market crash in 1929. Read More
You remember it all. How excited you were heading into a much needed, three-day weekend. You marveled at the breathtaking view of Mount Rainier as it presided majestically over the valley accentuated by a cloudless, ice-blue sky. Your children, sitting in the back seat, were singing Disney tunes at the top of their lungs. It was a perfect moment. Read More
The pressure you are experiencing is unbelievable. It feels like anxiety, depression, and stress all rolled into one. As much as you try to push those feelings aside, external pressures begin mounting their attack. The quest for perfection is exhausting. Everywhere you turn, from broadcast media to social media – there are messages that tell you how you are supposed to behave, what you are supposed to look like, and who you are supposed to be. Read More
Congratulations! You made it through the holidays in one piece. The only problem is now you are face to face with one of the most dreaded words in the English language. No other word has facilitated such a broad spectrum of emotions ranging from inspiration to guilt in the span of four short weeks. This ‘Voldemort’ of our vocabulary is the word... Read More
The look of horror on your face is reflected in the mirror. The question hangs in the air for what seems like an eternity: How did it get to be December already? You figured the frantic pace of life would slow down. But it seems to have intensified as the year comes to a close. Maybe that’s why you’re having difficulty entering into the spirit of the holiday season. You haven’t even bought a single gift yet... Read More
Something is missing. You are doing everything you can to prepare for the holiday season. You’re getting plenty of rest and you are scheduling regular activities... Read More
It’s not just something to think about in the spring any more. As busy as life has become for you, rest and renewal is a continual necessity. But, what exactly does renewal mean? Then, how does it take place in my life? Let’s start with the... Read More
You work hard every day which is why you were looking forward to a much deserved vacation. You anticipated the tranquility of two weeks away from the stress of daily life. You know how important it is to get away to recharge. The problem is, your vacation is over, you are back to work and you are still exhausted. You are not alone.. Read More
This summer is drawing to a close with many headlines competing for your attention. The solar eclipse, record high temperatures, and the tension our nation is experiencing have traditional news outlets and social media buzzing. Read More
You are a successful business woman. Climbing the corporate ladder came easily for you. Having a husband who is supportive of your career has been a tremendous help. Read More
Willpower
“Willpower is the art of replacing one habit for another”. Michael Garofalo. What’s the big deal about willpower anyway? What is it? Isn’t that just for people who don’t know how to have fun? Read More
Breaking Free From Isolation
The sun has finally started making regularly scheduled appearances in the Great Northwest. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and people are EVERYWHERE! Yet you still feel alone. Read More
You have doubts. We all do. But this is different. This is an internal, deep-seeded doubt about your own value. You just don’t feel worthy. It’s compounded by the perfect lives you see your ‘friends’ posting on social media. They have the perfect marriage, kids that are honor students, and can make homemade pasta. From scratch! This voyeuristic manner of examining your life is not helping. Even though you know that to be true, you just don’t feel like you measure up. Read More
Those two words seem like they don’t belong together, especially when the message pumped out continually by the media is: In order to be beautiful you must be perfect. That is an exhausting proposition – not to mention the fact that it is inherently false. Yet, from what we see in movies and read on Facebook, it is difficult to escape the oppressive cloud of perfection when we look in the mirror. Read More
The Giving Connection - Proven Depression Busters!
Winter in the Pacific Northwest is long. And dark. We are finally starting to turn the corner towards Spring, where the days yield just a tad more sunshine than the day before. You are aware of this fact. But still, as you fight through your battle with depression, it seems the opposite is true. Read More
You are an amazing woman. You’re a devoted employee, friend, wife, mother - maybe even a grandmother. Slice it any way you like but it’s hard to deny - life is good. Then why do you feel so empty? Read More
If you are like many women, your relationship with food can be complex! From infancy, food is not only our life sustenance, but it also represents comfort and pleasure. It makes sense that differentiating between food and feelings is challenging for many! Read More
Where are you going with your life as of today, and where do you want to go with it? It’s a new year! This time of year invites you to pause and reflect on the past year - what did it hold? No doubt there were some highs and some lows for you. Much of life we can’t control, but our choices in how we approach life represent those aspects that we can control. Read More
Break free with EMDR therapy!
What’s been holding you back in your life? Are there ways that you continually self-sabotage your own success? Each time you vow that you will do it different this time. You promise yourself that you will achieve a different lifestyle….but then, you find yourself in your old pattern again. Read More
Stress- Can it actually be a good thing?
We all experience stress!
Some people try hard to avoid it, others actually seek out the adrenaline rush and thrive on it! Read More
4 Tips to a Healthy Holiday Season
Holidays can be a tough time to maintain good health habits! Temptations abound to entice you into poor self care. Make a commitment to yourself to get through this season as joyously as possible! Read More
3 Tips To Help You Experience Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a time when we are reminded to be grateful for the gifts we have in our life. Read More
Our habits truly do define us! Habits can be healthy, or unhealthy. Most of us have some of both! Read More
One Easy Way to Build Self Confidence
Self confidence - -what would life look like if you had more of it? Read More
Yup... W-A-I-T. It's a 4 letter word, right? Read More
Empty Nest - Empty Nest - Survive and Thrive!
Kids grow up. Sometimes, they move away. And sometimes, after the grandkids are born, kids take the grandkids and move away. Read more
Take Care of YOU!
You may wonder - is it really right for me to prioritize taking care of myself? Being a loving kind person means prioritizing everyone except me, right? Read more
Transitions
What are some of the transitions you have experienced in your life? Read More
Women Living Boldly!
Empowerment! An awesome word that inspires strength, hope and energy! That’s what the Women Living Boldly series is about! Read More
Depression Buster- Self Empowerment!
It’s easy to relinquish our sense of self to others. The cost of this is a loss of our sense of power in our life. It leads to a helpless feeling and a loss of joy in life. Read More
Depression Buster - Resilience!
Resilience is defined as "An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change” by the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Read More
Depression Buster - Kindness!
Looking for ways to beat the holiday blues? Focus on someone else! It benefits not only the recipient, but you as well! Read More
Depression Buster - How to Be Happy!
Have you ever found yourself wondering how to be happy? Tired of feeling depressed? Read More
The Benefits of Relaxation and 5 Relaxation Techniques to Try
The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of relaxation can relieve stress and anxiety in our crowded, busy lives. Read More
Does Grief Ever End?
Grief is one of the most painful experiences a human being can endure. But, inevitably, we all experience loss in our lives. Read More
Reinvent Yourself
It’s that time of year when you may be thinking about changes you would like to make in your life - some things you would like to accomplish. Read More
Fitness and Mental Health
Regular exercise improves mental health. Read More
Single on Valentine's Day
Singles awareness day is nothing to be sad about. Read More
Living with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is an illness of the brain. Read More
3 Life Tips!
Where are you going with your life as of today, and where do you want to go with it? Read More
