Cedar Counseling & Wellness

Cedar Counseling & Wellness Cedar Counseling & Wellness is a team of experienced, compassionate therapists, working to improve t

Honoring every journey this Maternal Mental Health Week (May 4–10, 2026).Today, May 6th, is World Maternal Mental Health...
05/06/2026

Honoring every journey this Maternal Mental Health Week (May 4–10, 2026).

Today, May 6th, is World Maternal Mental Health Day. It’s a day dedicated specifically to raising awareness and demanding change for the millions of people worldwide affected by perinatal mental health struggles.

First launched in 2014, this week serves as a vital reminder that mental health conditions are among the most common complications of the maternal journey; affecting nearly 1 in 5 families.

By raising awareness, we can break the stigma and ensure that everyone feels heard and supported through these profound transitions.The path toward and into motherhood involves much more than logistical changes; it is a total psychological and neurological reorganization. Whether you are currently parenting, navigating infertility, or experiencing the complexities of loss, these shifts can often leave you feeling like you no longer recognize yourself.

Our latest blog post, "Who Am I Now?", dives deep into the process of matrescence and why this identity shift deserves its own space for healing and validation.

Check out the link in our bio to read the full post.

Welcome to Mental Health Month! 🌱This year, we’re focusing on a simple but powerful goal: More Good Days, Together. Ment...
05/05/2026

Welcome to Mental Health Month! 🌱

This year, we’re focusing on a simple but powerful goal: More Good Days, Together. Mental health isn’t just an individual journey; it’s something we build as a community.

When we check in on each other and share our tools for wellness, those "good days" become more frequent for everyone. Let's make this month about connection and care. ✨

04/27/2026

“A lot of the work that I do is almost as if we’re rewriting the story that they didn’t get to have.”

In honor of National Counseling Awareness Month, Nora Padison, LCPC, is sharing the path that led her here. For Nora, the journey started in special education. It was there that she first saw the impact of supporting neurodivergent students.

Today, she has brought that passion full circle at Cedar. Nora now works primarily with adults navigating late-identified ADHD and Autism. She helps them make sense of their past and build a future that honors their true selves.

From finding her closest friends in grad school to the creative flexibility of private practice, Nora is sharing why she is so grateful to be a counselor.

Happy Counseling Awareness Month! We are so lucky to have Nora’s heart and expertise on our team. 🌿

A Sunday night reset isn't just about laundry and meal prep. It is about closing the emotional loops from last week so y...
04/26/2026

A Sunday night reset isn't just about laundry and meal prep. It is about closing the emotional loops from last week so you can start Monday with a clear head.

If you find yourself feeling the anxious on Sundays, try shifting your focus from doing, to being. This checklist is designed to help you regulate your nervous system and set an intentional tone for the days ahead.

Save this post to come back to every Sunday evening when you need a reminder to slow down and reset.

This Earth Day, we are talking about Eco-therapy, the practice of using our connection to the natural world to improve o...
04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we are talking about Eco-therapy, the practice of using our connection to the natural world to improve our mental well-being. Nature isn’t just a backdrop for a walk; it is a powerful tool for grounding and emotional regulation.

When we feel overwhelmed or "stuck" in our heads, the environment around us offers a direct path back to the present moment. Try these 3 Sensory Grounding Tips today!

04/19/2026

Need a reset? Join Carrie for a guided box breathing exercise. This simple technique is one of the quickest ways to calm your nervous system and find your center. Save this for the next time you feel overwhelmed.

Walking into your first couples therapy session can feel a bit like a blind date with a lot on the line. It is completel...
04/17/2026

Walking into your first couples therapy session can feel a bit like a blind date with a lot on the line. It is completely normal to feel nervous, protective, or even a little skeptical.
At Cedar Counseling & Wellness, our goal for the first session isn't to "fix" everything in sixty minutes. It is about creating a safe, neutral space where both of you feel heard and understood.

Here is what you can actually expect in that first hour:
* The "Story" Phase: Your therapist will ask what brings you in now. This is your chance to share your perspective on current challenges and what you hope to change.
* Building a Roadmap: We will talk about your history as a couple. How did you meet? What were the "good years" like? This helps us understand the foundation we are building on.
* Neutral Ground: Your therapist isn't a judge and won't be picking sides. They are there to support the relationship as the client.
* Practical Logistics: We will discuss goals, how often we should meet, and what the "work" will look like moving forward.

There is no "right" way to show up. You don’t need to have a perfect script or a list of complaints. You just need to show up as you are.

Ready to take the first step together? Reach out to us now to schedule a consultation and see how we can support your relationship.

Not every couple who enters therapy is on the same page about staying together. Sometimes, one partner is ready to lean ...
04/15/2026

Not every couple who enters therapy is on the same page about staying together. Sometimes, one partner is ready to lean in while the other has one foot out the door.

If you feel stuck in that "indecision zone," it is important to know that Discernment Counseling and Marriage Counseling are two very different paths.

Discernment Counseling is a short-term process (usually 1 to 5 sessions) designed for couples who are undecided about the future of their relationship. The goal isn’t to fix the marriage, but to gain clarity and confidence about whether to stay, leave, or commit to six months of intensive repair work.

Marriage Counseling is for couples who have already decided they want to stay and do the work. It focuses on resolving conflict, improving communication, and rebuilding the emotional bond.

Choosing the right type of support is the first step toward a healthier future, regardless of the final outcome.

It is Stress Awareness Month, and we are revisiting one of the most important distinctions in mental wellness: the diffe...
04/13/2026

It is Stress Awareness Month, and we are revisiting one of the most important distinctions in mental wellness: the difference between stressors and the stress itself.

Most of us focus on the stressors, the external triggers like a demanding boss, a long to-do list, or a difficult conversation. But even when the stressor is gone (the project is finished or the conflict is over), the stress can still be stuck in your body.

In her book Burnout, Emily Nagoski explains that stress is a physical cycle that needs to be completed. If you don't "close the loop," your body stays in a state of high alert long after the threat has passed. This "echo of stress" is often why we feel exhausted even on our days off.

To truly find relief, we have to address the stress physically, not just mentally.
Ways to complete the cycle:
* Movement: A 20-minute walk, a dance party in your kitchen, or a quick stretch.
* Connection: A long hug or a deep laugh with a friend.
* Creativity: Painting, writing, or anything that allows for emotional expression.
* Deep Breathing: Signaling to your nervous system that you are safe.

This month, let's practice more than just "managing" our schedules, let's practice releasing the stress our bodies are still carrying. 🔄🌿

04/11/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month, and we’re diving deep into a book that changes the conversation on self care: Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. 📖✨

While we often focus on the things that cause us stress, this book teaches us how to help our bodies process the physical toll. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing "all the right things" but still feel exhausted, this read is for you. Let’s learn how to close the stress cycle together and find real rest.

Join the conversation in the comments. Have you started reading yet?

This National Siblings Day, we are looking at the Dunphys from Modern Family to see how those early dynamics follow us i...
04/10/2026

This National Siblings Day, we are looking at the Dunphys from Modern Family to see how those early dynamics follow us into adulthood. Families often assign us "titles" based on our birth order or personality, and we tend to carry those blueprints into our current friendships, workplaces, and romantic lives.

If you were the "Alex" of your family, you might still feel like your worth is tied to your productivity. If you were the "Luke," you might still use humor to avoid "heavy" conversations.

The good news? Recognizing the role you were cast in is the first step toward writing a new script for yourself. Which Dunphy sibling were you growing up? Let us know in the comments.

The Burden of Being the ‘Strong’ One. Are you the person everyone leans on? The one who always has the answer, never mis...
04/08/2026

The Burden of Being the ‘Strong’ One.

Are you the person everyone leans on? The one who always has the answer, never misses a deadline, and stays calm in every crisis?

In the mental health world, we often call this "over-functioning." While being reliable is a gift, "strong" people often face a unique set of hurdles when it's their turn to need support.

Why it’s so hard to ask:
The Identity Trap: You’ve built your self-worth around being the helper. Admitting you need help can feel like you’re failing at who you are.
The Guilt of "Less": Over-functioners often feel that if they step back, everything around them will crumble. This creates a cycle of hyper-responsibility.
Fear of Burdening Others: You are so used to holding space for others that you don’t want to "inconvenience" anyone with your own heavy lifting.

However, true resilience isn't about how much you can carry alone. It is about knowing when your pack is too heavy and having the courage to set it down. Asking for help isn’t a sign that you’ve lost your strength. It is a sign that you intend to keep it.

This Counseling Awareness Month, we want to remind the "strong" ones: You don't have to be the pillar for everyone else at the expense of yourself.

At Cedar Counseling and Wellness, we provide a space where the helpers can be helped. You’ve done enough. It’s okay to let someone else hold the map for a while.

Address

170 Jennifer Road, Suite 200
Annapolis, MD
21401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14439246344

Website

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