Empower Counseling & Coaching

09/09/2025

Sometimes what we call overthinking is your brain trying to keep you safe by preparing for every possible outcome.
It's a survival strategy, an old pattern that helped you cope once, even if it exhausts you now.

The goal isn't to shut off your thoughts, but to understand them, question if they're true or helpful, and gently guide your mind somewhere steadier.

With practice (and often with support), you can move from spiraling to self-soothing, building trust that you can handle life as it comes.

09/06/2025

A place to explore not only your pain, but also your passions, goals, and what makes you feel most alive.

We work on releasing what holds you back so you can move toward more peace, joy, and connection.

Because thriving isn't just an idea, it's something you can build, step by step, with the right support.

Your life gets to feel lighter and more aligned with who you truly are. Curious to get started? Reach out to book your consultation today!

09/04/2025

When you're caught up in worry, pause and ask:

- Will this matter in 10 days?
- In 10 months?
- In 10 years?

It's not about ignoring problems, but about giving your brain perspective. What feels enormous now might shrink when you zoom out.

This tool can also help you decide where to put your energy, whether it's worth a thoughtful boundary, a calm conversation, or simply letting it be.

09/02/2025

If prioritizing yourself feels wrong or guilty, it often traces back to early patterns, like only feeling valued when you're helpful or agreeable.

This shows up as overcommitting, struggling to say no, or feeling drained after every social interaction.

Your worth isn't tied to being endlessly available.

Therapy helps untangle these beliefs so you can set healthier limits, protect your peace, and discover that people can still love you even when you're not overextending.

08/30/2025

What if it's actually a messenger trying to point out something you've been ignoring for too long?

So many of us learned to see anxiety as the enemy. But often, it's your body's way of saying:

"You're pushing too hard."
"You're ignoring feelings that need care."
"You're living by old stories that you're unsafe or not enough."

08/27/2025

When tension runs high with someone you care about, your nervous system reacts fast. You may start experiencing racing thoughts, a tightness in your chest, a short fuse...

Here are 3 ways you can ground yourself in these moments to come out feeling better:

- Putting one hand on your heart, one on your belly. Breathe in for 4, out for 6.
- Saying to yourself, "I can pause before I respond."
- Taking a short walk to reset before continuing the conversation.

A few intentional moments can mean the difference between reacting and truly communicating.

06/01/2025

Payton Wortman, Therapist Empower Counseling in Birmingham, Alabama.

🌟 You Deserve a Peaceful Relationship with Food & Your Body

Struggling with eating disorders or body image concerns? You're not alone, and healing is possible.

Payton Wortman at Empower Counseling LLC specializes in helping individuals break free from:

Eating disorders
Negative body image
Food anxiety and restrictive eating
Binge eating patterns
Body dysmorphia
Why Choose Payton?

✨ Specialized expertise in eating disorder recovery
✨ Compassionate, non-judgmental approach
✨ Evidence-based treatment tailored to your needs
✨ Safe space to explore your relationship with food and body

Convenient Options:

📍 In-person sessions in Birmingham, Alabama
💻 Online therapy available throughout Alabama

Ready to take the first step toward food freedom and body acceptance?

Your journey to healing starts with one conversation.

📞 Schedule your consultation today
🌐 Visit: empowercounselingllc.com

Taking new clients / Confidential support

Counseling and Life coaching for Teens and Adults
4 Office Park Circle #306
Birmingham, Al. 35223
(2

11/12/2024

Meet Marti.
Therapist with Empower Counseling. Coffee Lover. Traveler.
She helps anxious young adults overcome perfectionism and overthinking so they can finally see their worth.
Marti teaches unconfident young adults to recognize their strengths and find their purpose.
She guides motivated young adults to live by their values so they feel a sense of connection between themselves and their lives.
Marti is also trained in EMDR.
She is accepting new clients. Commitment Therapy

11/05/2024

Well it has been a minute. I know, we have dropped the ball with insta. And have not been around much.
However, that changes right now.
We would like to introduce the newest member of our team at Empower, Tommy Wald. Tommy is a therapist, Way Finder, Lover of Music and Books.
Tommy provides counseling for teens, young adults and adults who feel lost or stuck to overcome obstacles, find their paths, and live lives of purpose and meaning. He helps teenage boys and young men navigate struggles and difficulties by gaining clarity about their values and who they want to be.
Tommy joins, Lucia, Savannah, Marti, and Kathryn making Empower’s team stronger.

04/25/2024

Empower Counseljng is growing!
2 offices in Office Park to serve our community.
#4 Office Park Cir. Ste. 306

And our newest offices at #6 Office Park Cir. Ste 317.

01/13/2024

Empower Counseling is excited and honored to announce our newest team member, Dr. Lucia Haladjian.

Lucia specializes in eating disorders, Bipolar disorder, trauma, and women’s issues.
She provides assessments for ADHD as well.

Lucia completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University in New York, specializing 3 years on eating disorders (and 1 of those years in trauma as well).

She is incredibly knowledgeable but what I like even more about Lucia is her warm, approachable, and calming nature.

There are less than a handful of true Eating disorder specialists offering outpatient therapy in Birmingham.
Empower Counseling is committed to providing our community with the services it needs most.
Lucia is taking new clients! Offering in person at our Mountain Brook office and online for anyone living in the state of Alabama.
Email her through the contact form on her page at www.empowercounselingllc.com

12/29/2023

I am so honored to be featured in an amazing article by Wonda_Malhotra, lifestyle journalist, in Authority Magazine.
We had a lovely discussion about past mistakes, lessons learned, and 5 lifestyle tweaks that can set you up with stronger wellbeing in 2024..

https://medium.com/authority-magazine/women-in-wellness-kathryn-ely-on-the-five-lifestyle-tweaks-that-will-help-support-peoples-77663311380d
Cheers to our well-being in 2024!!! 🤩🎇🥳