Laurel Brannagan Counselling Services

12/28/2025

Christmas was absolutely perfect—and I wouldn’t change it.
That said, I’ll be honest: there were moments of real frustration. Trying to make everything just right, needing breaks from one another, feeling overwhelmed at times. And yet, there were also beautiful memories, lots of hugs, and moments of connection. My kids feel loved—and that matters most.
The holidays can be incredibly hard for many of us, especially for those grieving losses or navigating strained relationships. This time of year has reminded me to focus on the people who truly show up—those who work to maintain reciprocal, meaningful connections. Letting go of the belief that I’m responsible for managing other people’s emotions has been such a relief, especially heading into high-social seasons.
I’m an extrovert by nature, but deeply introverted when it comes to feeling comfortable and safe around others. Holding that truth with compassion for myself has helped a lot. I hope everyone found moments of peace and enjoyment over the holidays—whether that meant soaking it all in, decompressing afterward, or feeling ready to return to routine while reminiscing on the good moments from the past few weeks.

12/17/2025

This time of year, I’m hearing a lot in my practice about the stress of being around low-effort grandparents, friends, and family members during the holidays.

For many of us, the mental load starts before the gathering.
We rehearse conversations.
We plan how to manage moods.
We prepare to soften, lighten, redirect, or carry the emotional weight of the room.

But here’s the reminder I want you to hear clearly:
You are NOT the manager of everyone else’s emotions.

It is not your job to make people show up differently, match your energy, or feel comfortable at the expense of your own nervous system.

The holidays are not just about keeping the peace for others.
They are also about you and your immediate family.

You get to choose:
• Peace over over-functioning
• Presence over people-pleasing
• Connection where effort is mutual

Matching energy, lowering expectations, and protecting your emotional capacity isn’t cold—it’s healthy.

This season, put your energy where it’s returned.
Let go of what isn’t yours to carry.
You’re allowed to enjoy the holidays too. 🎄

11/17/2025

I try to use everyday moments to teach my kids that we all have times when our emotions take over. But when we stop and try to see things from someone else’s point of view, it can completely change how we feel.

I want them to know that anger doesn’t have to run the show, and that everyone’s got stuff going on that we can’t always see.

And empathy doesn’t mean excusing bad behavior. We can understand why someone acted a certain way and still hold boundaries, protect ourselves, and expect respect.

I get it wrong sometimes too. When someone’s rude at a restaurant or cuts me off in traffic, my first thought isn’t always kind. But I’ve learned there’s usually more to the story. And I want my kids to remember that other people’s
reactions aren’t always about them.

How do you try to model empathy for your kids in real life?

11/11/2025

Connection over correction means meeting your child's need for safety and understanding before addressing their behavior! Once they feel connected, their capacity to listen and grow expands. It isn’t about letting things slide, it’s about helping your child feel safe and understood first.

Listen to the full conversation at the link in my bio with Lana from

10/29/2025

Accurate depiction 🦖

I never want these imaginative days to end!

10/21/2025

What are you and your family watching that starts these kinds of conversations? 🎬

Drop your favourites below 👇

09/19/2025

09/16/2025

Therapy isn’t about fixing you because you're not broken!

Sure, the big goals might be healing attachment wounds and building stronger relationships. But the road there, honestly, it’s not always pretty. Sometimes it’s messy, scary, and far from “traditional.” (Yes — venting, swearing, and crying in the same 10 minutes still counts as progress)

When shame or guilt feels heavy, therapy offers a non-judgmental space to finally put that weight down — making room for compassion, resilience, and real self-growth.

And along the way, you’ll learn to set boundaries without guilt, strengthen your relationships, and move through life’s transitions with clarity.

08/27/2025

4 Books That Changed How I See Anxiety, Trauma & Growth

These aren’t just “good reads”—they’re books I found myself underlining, rereading, and talking about with friends, family, and clients:

Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD
- Game-changing strategies for supporting kids without feeding the cycle of fear.

The Body Keeps the Score
- The book that helped me truly understand how trauma lives in the body and how healing can happen.

Atomic Habits
- Simple but profound insights on building small habits that create big change.

The Anxious Generation
- A timely look at how technology impacts our children’s mental health and what we can do about it as parents, caregivers, and educators.

✨ Each one has left me thinking differently about healing, resilience, and daily life.

Which of these is already on your shelf? And what have you read lately that made an impact on you?

Drop your recommendations below! 👇

06/25/2025

People often ask, “Is it bad enough for therapy?”

But couples don’t need to be in crisis to start. I work with some who are struggling—and others who just want to feel more connected.

You don’t have to wait for things to feel as though they are falling apart.
Therapy can be proactive. It can strengthen your bond before small issues become big ones.

I support couples at all stages. Whether you’re dating, engaged, or years into marriage, therapy is a space to learn about your partner, reconnect, and build something stronger together.

What if the best time to start… is now?
❤️