Lauren Woodard, LCSW: Bloom Counseling & Consulting

Lauren Woodard, LCSW: Bloom Counseling & Consulting Lauren Woodard, LCSW is an experienced psychotherapist located in Asheville NC. Specialties include adjustment, anxiety, chronic illness, coping & more.

Isn’t it interesting that the seasons we consider most magical are the ones where nature is the most dormant?The leaves ...
10/30/2025

Isn’t it interesting that the seasons we consider most magical are the ones where nature is the most dormant?
The leaves fall. The light fades. The world quiets.
And yet, we call it magic.

As a therapist (and a recovering perfectionist), I think about this a lot. How rest and stillness can feel uncomfortable, even wrong, in a culture that praises constant growth and productivity. But nature reminds us that dormancy isn’t failure — it’s part of the rhythm. It’s preparation. It’s renewal.

If you’ve been feeling tired lately… unmotivated, low-energy, or not quite like yourself…maybe you’re not falling behind.
Maybe you’re just in your own season of stillness.
And maybe, like nature, your quiet season is what allows your next bloom to be even more vibrant.

What if you didn’t rush yourself back into busy? What if you trusted the pause to do its work?

For book recommendations and videos on the topic, check out this post on my substack. Link in my bio.

“There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees - as if we are all to be allowed a chance to ...
10/04/2025

“There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees - as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again.”
- Ruth Ahmed

5 Coping Skills for Uncertain Times – Part 2: Create Your Safety AnchorWhen life feels unpredictable, a safety anchor ca...
09/29/2025

5 Coping Skills for Uncertain Times – Part 2: Create Your Safety Anchor

When life feels unpredictable, a safety anchor can help you ground yourself and return to calm. Here’s how to create one:

1️⃣ Choose Your Anchor
Pick something soothing—a photo, stone, song, scent, or a comforting phrase—that naturally brings you a sense of peace.

2️⃣ Pair It With a Sense
Engage touch, smell, or sound. For example, keep a soft blanket nearby, or use lavender oil to deepen the calm.

3️⃣ Hold and Focus
Sit with your anchor. Breathe slowly and repeat a grounding phrase like, “I am safe right now.”

4️⃣ Use It Daily
Practice when you’re not overwhelmed so the anchor feels familiar and powerful when you need it most.

Anchors don’t erase stress, but they give your body and mind a reliable way back to safety. What would your safety anchor be? Let me know in the comments.

Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith and opened the doors of my private practice. What started as a dream has become th...
08/18/2025

Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith and opened the doors of my private practice. What started as a dream has become the most meaningful work of my life. I am endlessly grateful for the trust, courage, and resilience of those I’ve worked with over the years. 🩷 Here’s to the past decade of growth, healing, and connection. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years hold. 🌼

Today I am sharing the beginning of a new series: Coping Skills for Uncertain Times. In Part 1, I’m sharing some ways to...
07/10/2025

Today I am sharing the beginning of a new series: Coping Skills for Uncertain Times. In Part 1, I’m sharing some ways to feel more grounded in the present moment. Please take what resonates and leave the rest…let me know in the comments which was your favorite!
Note: I know body scans do not feel available for everyone, please skip that skill if it does not feel safe.

As a therapist, I often tell my clients: Self-care doesn’t have to be luxurious to be life-changing.It can be simple. Re...
06/29/2025

As a therapist, I often tell my clients: Self-care doesn’t have to be luxurious to be life-changing.
It can be simple. Repeatable. Gentle. And done at home in your coziest clothes.
A Sunday reset is about sending your nervous system one clear message:
We’re safe right now. You can soften.
Here are four ways to support yourself today:
1. Tidy your space – Even just clearing one surface can reduce visual overwhelm and help you feel more grounded.
2. Engage your senses – Light a candle, diffuse lavender, or play music that feels calming. Sensory cues anchor you in the present.
3. Choose nourishing food – What’s something warm, fresh, or hydrating you can offer your body today?
4. Reflect and plan gently – Take 10 minutes to journal, review the week ahead, or set a kind intention for yourself.
Let this be enough.
You don’t need a productivity sprint to feel prepared for the week — just a moment to reset with compassion. 💗 For more ideas, subscribe to my substack (link in bio).

Mondays are a great time to set intentions for the week—and what better way to do that than through journaling? Journali...
06/16/2025

Mondays are a great time to set intentions for the week—and what better way to do that than through journaling? Journaling is a great way to process your thoughts, gain clarity, and help you regulate your emotions. I am posting some journal prompts here to help you start the week in a good place while setting intentions to focus on joy, self care and your mental health this week. Like and follow and I’ll starting sharing more journal prompts!

Monday is out of the way, and now we’re settling into the week. How are you feeling today? Energized? Overwhelmed? Just ...
02/25/2025

Monday is out of the way, and now we’re settling into the week. How are you feeling today? Energized? Overwhelmed? Just trying to make it through?

Tuesdays can be a weird in-between—still early in the week but far enough in that the to-do list feels real. Clients often tell me Tuesdays are their hardest day of the week. If you’re feeling the pressure, take a breath and ask yourself:

- What’s one small win I can focus on today?
- Where can I give myself more grace?
- How can I make space for something that fills my cup?

You don’t have to have everything figured out today. Just take the next right step.

Drop a 🩷 in the comments if you’re giving yourself a little extra kindness today!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you remember you are worthy and deserving of love today! 💗
02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you remember you are worthy and deserving of love today! 💗

5 Tips for Mood Tracking & Emotional Awareness One of the top goals I hear as a therapist is: “I want to understand my m...
02/02/2025

5 Tips for Mood Tracking & Emotional Awareness

One of the top goals I hear as a therapist is: “I want to understand my moods more and track them to find patterns.” Mood tracking is a game-changer for mental health. When you track your emotions, you start seeing patterns—what lifts you up, what drains you, and how to care for yourself better. Here are five simple ways to get started:

Use the Daylio App: Daylio is my favorite and I recommend it to clients often! A quick and easy way to log your mood and activities without needing to write paragraphs. Over time, you’ll see trends in what affects your emotions.

Rate Your Mood Daily (1-10): Keep it simple. At the end of each day, ask yourself: “On a scale from 1-10, how did I feel today?” Write it down in your phone or a journal.

Set a Mood Tracking Reminder: Set a daily or twice-daily reminder to check in with yourself. Even a quick note like “Feeling okay” or “Stressed but managing” can help build awareness over time.

Notice Triggers & Patterns: What happened before your mood shift? Did you eat well? Sleep enough? Talk to someone draining or uplifting? Identifying patterns helps you take control of your emotional well-being.

Practice Self-Compassion: Mood tracking isn’t about judgment; it’s about self-awareness. Some days are tough, and that’s okay. Use this as a tool to understand yourself, not criticize yourself.

Why Mood Tracking is an Important Goal
1️⃣ Self-Awareness: Gain insights into your emotional patterns and triggers.
2️⃣ Progress Tracking: See how far you’ve come on your mental health journey.
3️⃣ Communication: Share your moods with your therapist or loved ones.

What’s your go-to method for checking in with your emotions? Drop it in the comments!

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou ❤️‍🩹
02/01/2025

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou ❤️‍🩹

In a time filled with uncertainty, overwhelm, and news that can feel scary and confusing…I encourage you to try these 5 ...
01/31/2025

In a time filled with uncertainty, overwhelm, and news that can feel scary and confusing…I encourage you to try these 5 coping skills for tough times. While not a cure-all, these skills may provide moments of comfort and lightness. Please take good care. 🩷
Scroll through each slide to read more:
1- Write it Out
2- Connect
3-Lean in to Comfort
4-Move Your Body
5-Limit Scrolling

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Asheville, NC
28801

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+18287759178

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