Another Viewpoint Online Counseling Services

04/07/2022

THROUGH THE STORM THURSDAY

Change Happens Outside of Your Comfort Zone!

I am so grateful that God saved my life and will continue pay it forward to those who are still suffering and maybe, just maybe someone can be saved by something I share. My passion has brought me back once again to lend my support to those who continue to hurt from the pain of not being able to stop drinking or using drugs. I have been away and developing new ways to reach more people with a message that change is possible.
Over the last couple of months I have been talking with those who want to change but struggling with how and have been telling them that change is possible but it happens outside of your comfort zone. If deep down you know that you need and want to change your life but have not taken the steps, know that it is going to require more than just thinking about it will take you doing the things you have never done before which makes change difficult but you don’t have to do it alone.

For people who have been trying not to feel their pain by escaping into a bottle of alcohol, a bottle of pills, or any other drug are not comfortable with working things out by sharing their pain and learning new ways to work through their problems because drinking or using drugs is the fastest way to forget it all.
It really doesn’t work! It only seems to for the moment but the feelings that they are trying not to feel shows up again and then off to the races trying to find that next drink or next drug. It’s a vicious cycle but anything but feeling the pain and this cycle continues for years in spite of attempts at hiding your problem to keep up appearances, tired of loved ones nagging you to get help, losing relationships, losing jobs, people distancing themselves from you, and most of all realizing you can't even lie to yourself that you have a problem BUT still won't seek help . . . and the cycle still continues.

As a woman in recovery and as an addiction counselor it saddens me because I have watched people who refuse to get help and rather suffer the consequences of their drinking or drug use. They have even denied they have a problem when it is clear to everyone around them. It’s possible to stop drinking and using drugs but change happens outside of your comfort zone? Are you ready to step outside of yours?

04/06/2022

TRANSFORMATIONAL THINKING TUESDAY

THERE IS HOPE!

couldn't admit it to anyone but deep inside I felt hopeless. I remember thinking that no one understood my problem. I could clearly see that I wasn't the only one drinking alcohol and using drugs more than I should have. What I couldn't see was what was wrong with me and why couldn't I stop. I remember feeling tired of lying not only to other people but tired of lying to myself, but it took years to finally accept the help that was being offered to me. Before I was able to stop, I spent years trying to prove to others and myself that I could stop anytime because admitting the truth that I couldn't stop was too painful. As a recovering addict on my own journey of recovery, I have asked myself particularly during my early years, “Why did I drink and use drugs to the point I was risking my life?” and “Why didn't I allow others to help me, knowing I needed help?”

I have also been on this journey learning what to do in order not to relapse. When I say relapse, I want to be clear that addiction is FAR more than abusing alcohol and drugs so my journey has to be FAR more than learning to stop using alcohol and drugs! That’s why I continue to remain on this journey with 33 years of continued abstinence. I often talk to people about not only my personal journey of recovery but also my journey as an addiction professional for 30 years and how passionate and committed I am to carry the message of recovery to give others hope.

So, if you find yourself like I did years ago, ashamed and embarrassed to admit I needed help, let me give you hope through my journey. My hope is that it will give you the courage to pick up the phone and ask for help. The only difference between you and I is that I grabbed and held on to the hand of someone who knew the solution to my problem. I am now reaching my hand out to you! Will you grab hold to the solution I have to your problem? I have learned that the ultimate weapon for an addict is another recovering addict! There is hope, you are not alone!

04/04/2022

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Making a Decision!

My name is Natalie and I’m a women in long-term recovery (33 years). I am sharing what many consider a “personal journey”, but one I am willing to share to carry the message of recovery. My journey of recovery began not when I became clean and sober but when I made a decision to take “ACTION”.

One day I looked into the mirror and I didn’t like who was looking back! I began to hear my mother’s hundreds of lectures about how I needed to change my life and how I had so much potential but I now know there were reasons I didn’t believe that.

Note: To view the rest of this blog post visit the Another Viewpoint Counseling website by clicking the link -
www.anotherviewpointcounseling.com/blog/making-a-decision

03/28/2022

Motivational Monday

I used to just survive, but now I thrive!

03/24/2022

03/23/2022

SIGNS OF UNHEALED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IN ADULTS

The effects of childhood trauma can last well into adulthood. Experiencing trauma in childhood can impact the way that you form attachments in romantic relationships.

People who did not experience childhood trauma were much more likely to have secure attachment styles into adulthood.
Here's a look at the four attachment styles:

1. Secure: People with secure attachment styles have healthy relationships and good levels of self-esteem.

2. Ambivalent: These attachment styles are reluctant to get too close to people and always worry that their partners are going to leave them.

3. Avoidant: Avoidant attachment styles have problems with intimacy and never let anyone too close for fear of abandonment.

4. Disorganized: These attachment styles sometimes take on parental roles in romantic relationships.

You are never too old or too far removed to seek help for something that happened when you were a child. Know that you can always start working on yourself and seek help from a therapist.

Know that your thoughts and feelings about things that happened to you years ago are just as valid now as they were then, and it is OK if it has taken you a while to get to a point where you are ready to work on it. No matter when you experienced abuse in your life, it is never too late to seek help from a professional.

03/22/2022

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like domestic violence, sexual assault, and even being abandoned by an absent father (abandonment trauma).

There are other forms of trauma, however these are the ones I have experienced and most passionate about educating women who experienced trauma and how it may be affecting your daily life and learning how to break free from its hold in your mind, body, and soul.

Note: Before you conclude that the trauma you have experienced has not affected you, I want to share with you that trauma can affect you knowingly and unknowingly.

03/19/2022

SELF-CARE SATURDAY

HEALTHY MIND

I am so grateful that my mother broke through the stigma about seeking therapy. She further encouraged the notion of a healthy mind by becoming a psychotherapist herself. Thank you mommy!

So my immediate family is one african american family that supports seeking therapy that supports a healthy mind. I am currently in EMDR therapy (fantastic for those who have experienced trauma) and it has been life changing. It goes way beyond traditional talk therapy. Planning to share more about it in one of my YouTube videos in the near future.

HEALTHY BODY

I have once again seeing about my body by getting all kinds of annual tests to stay ahead of anything that tries to come against my body. So far God has blessed me to be in good physical health. I have recently lost 20lbs (I've gained so much weight over the last two years) and I am happy with the shape I'm but looking to lose about 15 more lbs, maybe. About 6 months ago I began walking about 2 miles a day and reducing the amount of sweets I was "emotionally" eating.