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Margaret Perry, LCSW

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United States
Carlinville, IL
Margaret Perry, LCSW

Mental wellness specializing in anxiety, depression, personality disorders, trauma-related issues Private pay
Accepts insurance

03/25/2026

When stress and overwhelm make productivity seem impossible, pause. Instead of trying to do everything at once, it can help to focus on a single small step.
Choose a single task. If the task has multiple steps, just focus on the first step.
Schedule your task. When will you complete this small step?
Start your task on time, even if the motivation is not there, and do what you can.
Progress is not always linear. Moving forward in a small way is still progress! ❤️

03/24/2026

It’s easy to move from one task to the next without stopping, especially when life feels busy or overwhelming.

Pausing to take a few slow, intentional breaths can help your body reset and bring a sense of calm back into your day.

You don’t need a full break to make a difference. Even a small pause can help.

03/20/2026

✨ Grounding practices are simple tools that can help bring your attention back to the present moment, especially during times of stress or anxiety.

✨ One helpful technique is the 3-3-3 method:
Start with some deep breaths, then:
Name 3 things you can see
Notice 3 things you can hear
Move 3 parts of your body

✨ This practice gently shifts your focus away from racing thoughts and back into your environment and body.

It’s quick, practical, and can be done almost anywhere.

✨ Small tools like this can make a meaningful difference over time.

03/19/2026

Have you ever noticed that stress feels physical?

That’s because it is!

When your brain detects a danger or threat – even something like intense pressure and deadlines at work or a conflict with a friend – it activates your body’s stress response. Your heart beats faster, breathing changes, muscles tighten, and stress hormones increase energy and alertness.

This is your built-in survival system.

In short bursts, it can actually be helpful.

But when stress becomes constant, your body stays in “on” mode longer than it is meant to. Over time, this can seriously impact your sleep, digestion, mood, focus, and overall energy levels.

The important part to remember is, your body is not working against you. It is trying to protect you. These physical responses can be a sign that you need spend some time focusing on stress management.

The key is building small habits that signal safety to your brain. Breathing slowly, getting outside, moving your body, resting, and connecting with supportive people in your life.

Stress management isn’t about avoiding life. It’s about helping your nervous system recover.

If this was helpful, feel free to share it with someone who might need it.

12/31/2025

As we step into 2026, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your trust and support. May the new year bring you strength, resilience, and the opportunity to prioritize your wellbeing. Happy New Year from our team!

12/24/2025

Wishing you and yours a season filled with joy, peace, and good health. From our team to your family, Happy Holidays! We look forward to supporting you in the new year.

12/21/2025

Self-love is more than bubble baths and quiet moments—it’s about setting boundaries, building resilience, and treating yourself with compassion 💛

This winter, let’s normalize saying “no,” honoring our needs, and showing up for ourselves the way we’d show up for a friend going through a hard time.

Mental health starts with self-love. How are you nurturing yourself today?

09/23/2025

If you’re carrying more than usual, take this as your reminder: it’s okay to slow down and ask for help. Hard seasons don’t last forever. Focus on one clear next step and on what helps you recharge. If it helps, tell us one small thing that helps you get through a tough day — your idea might help someone else.

Comment below with one supportive habit or resource that’s helped you recently.

Courtesy of Marcey Otto, MSW Candidate

08/28/2025

Safety isn’t dull. It’s unfamiliar.
If you grew up in unpredictability, calm can feel suspicious.
But regulated doesn’t mean lifeless.
It means your nervous system isn’t bracing for impact.
Let’s normalize healthy love that doesn’t require survival skills.

08/25/2025

𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 & 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Whether you live in a rural town or a busy city, chances are you’ve heard this question: Is screen time hurting our kids?

The truth is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Recent studies show that excessive screen use can be linked to depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, and less physical activity. But they also reveal something deeper: screens aren’t just a problem—they’re often a lifeline.

For teens dealing with trauma, isolation, or identity struggles, digital spaces can offer connection, creativity, and a sense of control. So instead of asking “How do we cut screen time?” maybe it’s time to ask:

“How do we build healthier digital habits that support emotional needs and real-life connection?”

Here are a few trauma-informed strategies for families and clinicians:

Set screen boundaries with teens, not just for them, but also for ourselves.

Replace screen time with meaningful alternatives, not just restrictions

Model healthy digital habits as adults

Use tech tools to support regulation (like screen trackers or mindfulness apps)

Validate emotional needs before redirecting behavior

Let’s move from control to connection. When we meet teens where they are—with compassion, clarity, and evidence—we don’t just reduce screen time. We rebuild trust.

Feel free to share this with anyone navigating screen time challenges in their home, classroom, or practice. Let’s keep the conversation going.

08/23/2025

Ever watched a TV therapist and thought, “That doesn’t feel right”? You’re not alone. In Shrinking, Jason Segel’s character uses the same approach for every client—no matter their background or story. It makes for good drama, but it’s not how real therapy works.

In real life, therapy is tailored. It’s shaped by your culture, your values, your experiences. No cookie-cutter solutions. No forced advice. Just space to be heard, understood, and supported.

This image was created to challenge the myth that therapy is one-size-fits-all. Because your story deserves care that fits—not care that forces.

💬 Curious about what therapy actually looks like? Drop your questions below or message us privately. We’re here to demystify, not judge.

08/22/2025

💚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭: 𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲’𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞

Supporting someone through mental health challenges, whether you're a clinician, caregiver, educator, or friend, is deeply meaningful. But it can also be exhausting if we forget to care for ourselves along the way.

Real support doesn’t mean fixing someone. It means showing up with compassion, honesty, and boundaries that protect everyone involved.

Here are four gentle reminders I share with families and professionals, especially in rural communities where resources may be limited and relationships run deep:

🔹 Don’t take emotional reactions personally. Mental health struggles can show up as withdrawal, overwhelm, or emotional intensity. These aren’t personal attacks. They’re signs someone is trying to cope. Compassion matters, but so does emotional safety.

🔹 Stay anchored in your own support system. Whether it’s a trusted friend, peer group, or supervisor, staying connected helps you show up with clarity and care. In rural areas, where isolation and stigma can be real, connection is a protective factor.

🔹 Be present, not perfect. You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be a therapist to your loved ones. Listening, validating, and encouraging professional help is more than enough.

🔹 Set boundaries with love. Empathy doesn’t mean overextending yourself. Boundaries aren’t walls, they’re bridges to healthier relationships. They help you stay grounded and true to yourself.

Whether you’re supporting a loved one or working in mental health, remember: holding space for others starts with holding space for yourself.

Let’s normalize sustainable care. Let’s build systems that honor both compassion and clarity. Let’s keep showing up—with warmth, boundaries, and a commitment to doing no harm.

💬 I’d love to hear from others in rural mental health, trauma-informed care, or community outreach. What helps you stay grounded while supporting others?

Address

Carlinville, IL

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12177054550

Website

http://perrymhs.com/

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