Meredith Powell Counseling

14/03/2024

What do you do after a heavy counseling session?

08/03/2024

These days, it feels much sexier to talk about our problems and failures, even trying to use language and slang to paint them in cute or quirky ways.
Yes, we should be aware of those parts of us that need work. Yes, that's one of the focuses of counseling. But no, you should not spend day in and day out picking yourself apart, ruminating, going on and on to others about your struggles. You need to spend time focusing on your strengths, support systems, and resources. These are called protective factors, and they are what you can access and lean on to be more resilient. It's essential to be aware of your protective factors and know how to utilize them.
Please hear this: only focusing on your problems and refusing to acknowledge your strengths and autonomy is what allows people to slip into a victim mentality and this is NOT what health looks like.
PS- your counselor, coach, or therapist should definitely be helping you with this part of the work, and there should definitely be time spent in session talking about the wins.

22/02/2024

We unexpectedly lost my sweet, strong, and sometimes stubborn Nana. I'm seeing a whole new side to what grief can be this time around.
Things I've felt and experienced so far: angry as hell, outraged, confused, disconnected, numb, distraught, lonely, sad, relieved, silly, comforted, afraid.
It's just so weird. Grief (and loss) is so weird and complicated and disorienting.
If you've experienced grief, you know what I mean.
I see so much of my Nana in myself and I'm grateful for those traits she passed onto me, so appreciative of the time I got to spend with her recently, and missing her so much already.
Love you, Nana.

22/12/2023

In honor of my family's tradition of The Lord of the Rings marathon...
Yesterday we were watching The Return of the King, and this quote really struck me. I hadn't really noticed it much before, but this year when watching, the quote and its meaning really stood out to me.
How many of us are embarrassed or uncomfortable with crying? How many of us hold back tears and don't allow ourselves to cry? How many of us think of crying as a weakness?
Crying can be so cathartic and healing, and there are so many different types of cries and tears, but all of them valuable in my book! We come into this world crying, spend the first few years of our lives crying as a main form of communication, and then at some point we stop giving ourselves permission to cry.
But... Not all tears are an evil (or in my opinion, none are!).

22/12/2023

I'll be signing off until the New Year while I enjoy some time with family and friends, rest, eat good food and read. Thanks for coming along on this road to wellbeing! Please find some time to take care of yourself, laugh, rest, give and receive, and love. Have a wonderful end of 2023 and a joyous start to 2024! See you in the new year ❤️

12/12/2023

Are the holidays a bit stressful because you know there'll be comments on your relationship status, weight, or job? Are you already bracing yourself for politics talk? Are you already feeling the guilt-trip of ducking out of gatherings early?
Don't let difficult interactions and conflict make you fight, flight or freeze! Take a look at some of these tips on dealing with the tough stuff around the holidays and let me know in the comments what you're going to try 🌲💫

01/12/2023

Oh, December. You can be so warm and exciting and full of anticipation, and yet you can be so full of pain and sadness.
If you're grieving, or if your grief tends to resurface, around the holidays, I've put together a few thoughts on what may help you face this complex season.
My thoughts and heart are with you 💙

01/12/2023

Great emotional regulation visual and explanation for kids!

19/09/2023

Do you ever try to rush into the rebuilding phase after experiencing a loss or major life event? For a lot of us, it gives us a sense of control-- if we're taking action and doing something, we've got power. But remember, the phases that come before rebuilding are so necessary to truly become more resilient and rebuild in an effective way 💚

11/08/2023

I love this message from one of Chip Dodd's talks on feelings. When we experience sadness, it's because we've loved and there's a loss. Many of the losses we experience in life will never be "okay," because they're painful, unfair, illogical. Acceptance isn't saying "it's okay." (and by the way... how many times do we say that when we're sad? Way too often.) It's not okay, and THAT'S okay. Acceptance does not mean we resign. It means we acknowledge the loss and the "not-okayness" of the loss.

09/08/2023

Don't underestimate the importance of building resilience in yourself as an individual, in your kids and family, in your workplace, etc.
Resilience is about our ability to trust ourselves to bounce back from challenges and painful situations. It doesn't mean those challenges are easy... Doesn't mean the pain isn't experienced.
It means that we know we have the strength, tools, skills, and support to overcome, grow, and learn.

07/08/2023

Feel those feelings 💪
(taken from "Letters to a Young Therapist" by Mary Pipher)

01/08/2023

Please 🙏 don't ignore what's going on in your body. If you're like me, you learned the hard way. Tremendous pain, tight muscles, GI issues. Looking for every possible solution to 'fix' the problem, but refusing to take a look at what was going on below the surface.
What happens when you ignore the check engine light on your car? Eventually you break down on the side of the road, and if you're lucky, not where it's dangerous. The check engine light exists for a reason -- to alert us to look under the hood and figure out what's not working.
Think of your emotions, your physiological responses to situations, and your pain or illness as your body's check engine light. What is your body communicating about what's not working?
Let's be scientists and detectives. Let's get curious and ask the important questions. Let's be open-minded and eager to discover what we might be missing out on when we ignore the obvious signs.
Do not, do not, do not underestimate the body's ability to tell you what you need.

23/07/2023

Everything and anything goes. No filters, no apologies necessary.

12/07/2023

Parents, caregivers, and people who work with kids/teens:
This free webinar is a great resource to help you learn about supporting child and teen mental health!

Watch McLean videos and webinars on demand including How Can We Support Child and Teen Mental Health?

05/07/2023

03/07/2023

20/06/2023

I see a lot of posts lately from pop mental health accounts saying things like "Stop apologizing!" and "Put yourself first." but this isn't the whole story. Sure, stop apologizing for things that don't merit apologies, but still apologize when you hurt someone. Sure, put your needs first, but recognize that your needs are as important to you as other people's needs are to them. Overcorrecting people-pleasing behaviors by being "hard" or "no bu****it" with other people isn't the answer, my friends. Look for the balance in your relationships and behaviors.