The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

There are a lot of misconceptions about self-care. Unfortunately, it’s a word that’s become overused and carries with it an unmistakable negative stigma.

The month of October is ushered in by cheerful scarecrows, colorful foliage, and pumpkin spice everything! Wreaths and mums in shades of burnt orange, red, and goldenrod decorate porches festively. But there is another symbol and one other significant color that are synonymous with October: bright pink and the breast cancer awareness ribbon.

I had this week’s blog written and ready to submit prior to now.  And then a most horrific thing happened yesterday morning that has gripped my emotions so tight that I have to write a new one this Saturday morning. 

Hope is characterized as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. Throughout our lives, we have all felt hopeful about something happening, but also a lack of hope when going through tough times. On a deeper level, hope can bridge the past and future and instill motivation and confidence in us that our lives can improve. Conversely, feeling hopeless about the future can lead us to sadness and despair, which could eventually lead to depression.

While hope itself can be a very powerful concept, I have seen many clients who solely rely on this idea that “things will hopefully get better”, without taking any action or responsibility to make a change in their lives. They hope that they make a better grade on their next test, or meet their soulmate, or finally stop drinking. I believe having a positive mindset of hope can be one of the most positive tools of changing your life; however, my suggestion is to fully embrace the feeling of hope emotionally, but also take action behaviorally. So, can you hope for change and change with hope at the same time? Absolutely. Here are just a few ideas on how to bridge the gap between these two and how I’ve used them in therapy sessions with clients.

Looking at life holistically. I have seen clients get caught up in a present struggle with a lack of focus on the past and how they persevered through those trying times.

Each day I talk with clients who are struggling to make a change. They want to leave a job they hate or end toxic relationship, or they want to go back to college or ask someone out on a date. They give lots of reasons why they can’t or haven’t…but it all boils down to one core feeling. Fear.

Lily enters the house after school, darts upstairs, and slams her bedroom door before you can even get “how was your day” remotely out of your mouth. Ever since she turned 15, it’s like you two are worlds apart.

Hypnosis is probably the number one most important thing I have ever learned either professionally or personally. I understand how that sounds and I know that it is a pretty bold statement to make, but here’s what I mean.

Lower your expectations of yourself. Wait…what? You heard me! Inhale a gigantic breath, exhale, and repeat after me, “I will give myself grace. I will lower my expectations of myself. I will understand that this does not mean that I have low standards or that I will not encourage myself to meet my goals and push my limits. I deserve self-compassion.”

Let’s be honest, we all struggle with comparing ourselves to others. We compare relationships, accomplishments, physical appearance, intelligence, money—and the list goes on and on.

What is therapy REALLY like? In response to this question, I have the permission and privilege of sharing a blog written by a client who tells the story of her journey of contemplating attending therapy and what it has been like for her since she started. May you find this blog as helpful as I did. Special thanks to the person who allowed me to share this.

Recently, one of the very first couples I worked with in private practice got married. As a therapist, it’s such an honor to be a part of helping someone, or in this case, a couple overcome challenges and strengthen their relationship to the point that they are truly ready for the commitment of marriage.

If you're stuck in a rut or feeling trapped in your life, it can create feelings of hopelessness and fear.  Recent research shows that depression and anxiety are highly correlated with inhibited neuroplasticity, but what IS neuroplasticity?