I have to admit, Woody Harrelson is not one of my favorite actors. In fact, the only movie I can think of that he was in is "2012." He played a whacky apocalypse predictor screaming about the end of the world, all of which happened by movie's end. In the new film, "Champions," Harrelson plays …
Category: Mental Health
Strategies for improving mental health.

Hot Coffee Conversation: “Heck Yeah, I Like Myself!”
As a middle school counselor, I had many opportunities to speak with students about things bothering them. It certainly wasn't all troublesome topics, there were many happy moments when great success had students beaming with pride. Bullying was a common thread in discussions about student life. We did our best to provide an atmosphere in …
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Hot Coffee Conversation: “You Shouldn’t Feel That Way”
No matter what you're talking about, they always turn the conversation around so it's about them instead of you. Have you met those people? It doesn't matter what you're going through, trying to share your heart, you walk away thinking, "Did they hear anything I said?" Probably not. You can be in pain, obviously hurting, …
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Hot Coffee: Sunday in Peace
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you," Isaiah 26:3 NIV, or, "...in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee..." People who attempt to make you feel small are small. Surround yourself with those whose goal is to inspire and lift you higher.

Hot Coffee: Drinks and Safe Spaces
I didn't like the title "Therapy Thoughts," so, it's gone forever. What is your hot coffee? It took many years for me to realize not everyone loves coffee. Some people, perish the thought, don't even like the smell of coffee! While others like the smell but don't like the taste. But, those of us who …

Therapy Thoughts for a Friday: Getting Yourself Moving in the Morning
I'm not a morning person. I don't mind waking up, but mornings are the lowest part of my mental day. Morning is when I feel discouraged. Have you ever considered the word discouraged? Dis-couraged. It means to have your courage removed, or to be separate from your courage. How much courage does it take to …
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Therapy Thoughts for Thursday: Carl Rogers and Mr. Rogers
I had a stray thought this morning. Carl Rogers and Mr. (Fred) Rogers were incredibly similar. Carl Rogers is widely considered to be the father of person-centered, or client-centered counseling. Empathic listening, acceptance, focus on the experience, thoughts, and feelings of the client are central to this type of practice. If you are familiar with …
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Therapy Thoughts for Wednesday: What Would You Say?
If you had a chance to talk to your younger self, what would you say? I don't mean things like, "Invest in Lego, kid." What do you wish your inner younger self had known?

Therapy Thoughts for Tuesday: Be the Song
While reading through blogging posts yesterday, I was introduced to the poetry of Marieke Schreuder. Her blog is called Rose Girl's World. I haven't spent much time reading poetry, honestly, but this poem really landed. I Let The Song Sing Me Thank you, Marieke, for allowing me to share your beautiful work.

Therapy Thoughts for Monday: Give Yourself a Reward
Why do we love taking vacations? Why do we spend so much money to get away? Part of the reason is that vacation is an opportunity to think differently. We have new thoughts when we’re away from our normal routine and environment. People who have campers have an extra challenge because the tendency is to …
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