GROW Counseling

09/19/2025

New to the blog!

If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know how overwhelming it can feel. Your chest tightens, your heart rate spikes, and your thoughts race so quickly it’s hard to catch your breath. In that moment, your body is reacting as if you’re in immediate danger—even when you’re not. This is called the fight or flight response, and while it’s designed to protect us, it can feel terrifying when it’s triggered by anxiety instead of an actual threat.

The good news is there are ways to interrupt the spiral. With the right tools, you can calm your nervous system, shift your attention away from anxious thoughts, and begin focusing on the present. These tools are called grounding techniques for panic attacks, and when practiced consistently, they can help you reduce anxiety and regain a sense of control.

If you’re experiencing panic attacks, it may be a sign of panic disorder or another underlying mental health condition.

09/17/2025

A trigger is anything that sets off an intense emotional or physical response—often one that feels disproportionate to the current moment. These responses are usually linked to past experiences, especially if your nervous system associates them with danger, hurt, or shame.

Triggers vary widely from person to person. What feels overwhelming to one person might feel neutral to another, depending on personal history, trauma, and even personality.

There are two main types of triggers:

External triggers: people, places, sounds, smells, or events that remind you of a distressing experience.
Internal triggers: thoughts, memories, body sensations, or emotions that bring up past pain or fear.

Even a person triggering you may not understand what they’ve said or done. And often, you may not understand it right away either—which is why self-compassion is essential in this process.

09/17/2025

If your days are filled with diapers, school drop-offs, reheated coffee, and a race against bedtime, you’re not alone. Life with young children is full—and sometimes, that fullness can leave little room for connection with the person who helped you build it all.

It’s not uncommon for couples to feel disconnected during this season. Exhaustion takes over. Conversations get replaced by logistics. And somewhere between the long day and the late-night feeding, your s*x life, shared laughs, and even holding hands can slip to the background.

But here’s the good news: disconnection isn’t permanent. At GROW Counseling, we work with couples across Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Peachtree City who are learning how to rebuild intimacy, even in the middle of nap schedules and carpool lanes.

Read the full blog on our website!
https://growcounseling.com/building-intimacy-in-a-busy-season/

09/15/2025

Loss affects us in many ways — emotionally, physically, and within our closest relationships. This compassionate webinar will help adults better understand their own grief while also learning ways to support their children through difficult times. Dr. April Burling will share practical tools to foster healing, resilience, and connection after loss.

Participants will learn how to:
1. Recognize the different ways grief can show up in adults and children
2. Develop healthy coping strategies to care for yourself during grief
3. Support children with age-appropriate conversations about loss
4. Build rituals and routines that foster connection and remembrance
5. Strengthen resilience and hope for yourself and your family

Register here! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/4317576134567/WN_-9XuUqnxThip_GsXkYjH4g #/registration

09/13/2025

The Sunday Scaries don’t happen for no reason. They’re a form of anticipatory anxiety—stress about what might happen in the future. You may be thinking about unfinished tasks, packed schedules, social stressors, or just the transition from rest to productivity.

For some, it’s the shift in routine. For others, it’s related to burnout, workplace culture, or underlying stress that hasn’t been addressed.

And while they’re common, persistent Sunday night dread could also be a sign of a mental health condition like anxiety or depression—especially if it’s happening every week and affecting sleep, appetite, or mood.

09/12/2025

We’re thrilled to be nominated for the 2025 Best of Georgia Awards! Every vote counts, and we need yours.

Cast your vote today to help GROW Counseling win!
https://gbj.com/atlanta/health-medical/grow-counseling?from=badge

Help decide the best of the Health & Medical category in Georgia! Vote for your favorite organizations in the 2025 Best of Georgia Awards. See nominees in this category and cast your vote to support Georgia's top organizations in the Health & Medical category.

09/11/2025

New to the blog:

You’re going about your day when something small—a comment, a smell, a memory—hits you harder than expected. Suddenly you feel tense, flooded with emotion, or unable to focus. You might feel embarrassed, confused, or even ashamed. But what you’re experiencing is real—and valid. It’s called a trigger.

At GROW Counseling, we support individuals in Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Peachtree City who are working to understand their emotional reactions, manage triggering situations, and build healthier coping tools. Whether it’s tied to trauma or everyday stress, understanding your triggers is a crucial step toward healing and self-awareness.

Read the full blog here:

A trigger is anything that sets off an intense emotional or physical response—often one that feels disproportionate to the current moment.

09/10/2025

On your journey of mental health and wellness, it's important to have reminders that uplift and empower you.

Which of these phrases resonates with you the most?

Write it down and place it where you'll see it often—a mirror, your workspace, or even your phone screen. Let it inspire you daily and remind you of your incredible potential.

Which one encouraged you the most? Share your chosen phrase in the comments! 🌱

09/10/2025

Take a moment to remember a recent victory, no matter how big or small. Every achievement, whether it's finishing a project, stepping out of your comfort zone, or simply getting through a tough day, deserves recognition.

These victories are stepping stones on your path to growth and success. Reflecting on them not only boosts your confidence but also fuels your motivation for future endeavors.

Remember, progress doesn't always happen in leaps and bounds; sometimes it's the small, consistent steps that lead to the most significant changes. So, pause, acknowledge your triumphs, and celebrate your growth.

09/09/2025

New to the blog!

At GROW Counseling, we work with individuals of all ages—including children—who are grieving with the loss of a pet.