Foundations Counseling Center, Inc.

01/06/2026

CALMING STRATEGY: THE PLAYDOH SWIRL

The Playdoh Swirl is a simple, hands-on calming strategy that blends heavy work, deep breathing and gentle focus.

Start by rolling the Playdoh into long sausages. As the swirl is built, encourage slow breathing in through the nose and out through the straw. The resistance from blowing supports regulation, while the rolling and shaping provides grounding ‘heavy work’ for the body.

Each young person takes home a small regulation kit: a ball, a straw, a couple of tubs of Playdoh, and a visual prompt showing their own finished swirl. This makes the strategy familiar, portable, and easy to return to during moments of stress, overwhelm, or after a busy day.

This activity works well as a calm-down tool, a transition activity, or part of a wider emotional regulation toolkit.

01/01/2026

On the stroke of midnight tonight, you can resolve to be better, if you like…
to be fitter,
to eat cleaner,
to work harder.

On the stroke of midnight tonight,
you can resolve to become a whole new you,
if you so choose.

Or, you can take a moment to acknowledge what you already are.
Because it’s a lot.
You are a lot.

And you deserve to be truly seen.

On the stroke of midnight tonight, perhaps you could congratulate yourself, for coping.
For breaking, again,
for rebuilding, again.

For catching the stones life has thrown at you,
and using them to build your castle that little bit more beautifully.

And if you have used those stones to block yourself in for the ‘heal’, perhaps you can realign them this year. Make a grander gate, not a higher wall.

You have endured, my friend.
Through times you thought unendurable. You did.

And I don’t see the need to resolve to become a whole new you,
when you are already so very much indeed.

Happy new year.

You made it.

Now let us face another 365 day-turn, arms wide…
accepting, embracing and ‘seeing’ one other,
for all we truly are…

breaks and all.

Donna Ashworth

12/05/2025

The can bring up feelings of loneliness and grief. Hope, help, and healing are within reach. Speak to someone about what’s weighing on you. Need help? findsupportwi.org

11/27/2025

11/13/2025

Well Badger Resource Center has put together a wonderful infographic on infant mental health and "building a strong start for life."

https://www.wellbadger.org/s/article/Infant-Mental-Health?language=en_US

10/30/2025

10/17/2025

10/17/2025

10/11/2025

Join us this in creating stronger, more compassionate communities. Need help? Start at findsupportwi.org

10/08/2025

10/01/2025

Foundations Counseling Center, Inc. is hiring. Learn more about us and apply: https://www.foundationscc.com/