Safe Space Therapy LLC

11/26/2024

Just a friendly reminder that our office will be closed this Thursday 11/28 & Friday 11/29 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 for assistance. Help is available 24/7/365.

11/08/2024

Post-Election Self-Care Tips

1. Take a Break: Limit news and social media to avoid overwhelm. Unfollow accounts that add stress. Boundaries are ok!
2. Get moving and active in a way you enjoy.
3. Prioritize being able to relax and sleep.
4. Connect with loved ones and positive supports.
5. Practice gratitude and focus on small things you’re thankful for.
6. Spend time doing things you enjoy.
7. Think about what matters to you and set intentions of how you can incorporate these within your life.
8. Volunteer or support causes you care about.
9. Be Kind to Yourself: It’s okay to feel however you feel. Take time to process these emotions.
10. Connect with a professional and take care of your mental health.
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I tried. I hope it helps.
https://www.selfloverainbow.com/post-election-self-care/

09/27/2024

Trauma can have a lasting impact on one's ability to experience happiness, causing discomfort with positive emotions and sometimes even leading to a fear of having them. Learning to embrace happiness with an open mind and heart can be challenging for trauma survivors, yet it is essential in the healing process. 💜💚💙

09/26/2024

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09/09/2024

With September being Su***de Prevention Awareness month, I think it's important to acknowledge how difficult and scary it can be to talk about, especially with mental health professionals.

I would just like to throw this out there as I know this can be an area people try to avoid discussing in session because of their past experiences or fear of being hospitalized. It is ok to ask a provider to explain in detail when they feel they need to break confidentiality related to this aspect of care. We do have an obligation to keep our clients safe, but we all have different guidelines, training, and experience we utilize when assessing this risk.

For me personally, I think passive suicidal ideation is a common experience people may encounter at some point in their lives. If someone shares with me in session they are feeling suicidal, I want to help keep them safe in the least intrusive way possible. I am not going to default to sending anyone to the hospital for experiencing these thoughts. I want to work collaboratively and assess the level of risk, then from there we can have conversations on what might be needed to maintain your safety. This is why I believe building rapport, trust, and feelings of safety within the therapeutic relationship is so important.

If you don't feel comfortable talking to your provider if you are experiencing thoughts of su***de, it is important to figure out what the discomfort is and if something needs changed or addressed. It is important to talk about these thoughts so your provider can help you figure out how to address them and keep you safe. You are not alone, and you do not have to navigate these feelings on your own.

If you or someone who know is in a crisis situation, call 855-581-8111, text 855-895-8398, or chat at yourlifeiowa.org.

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

08/30/2024

It can be scary to take the first step and reach out, but if you are ready take that step please don't hesitate to connect however you are most comfortable. You can connect with us through email, text, or a phone call. Please know we are not always able to answer or respond right away, but will get back to you as soon as we can if you leave us a message! 💜💚💙

08/28/2024

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard 💜💙💚

08/27/2024

Sometimes growth and healing doesn't happen quite as fast as we might like it to, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening. Sometimes we just have a hard time seeing it in ourselves. Truth be told its easy to overlook the small positive changes, but enough small changes can make a huge difference in time. 💜

08/23/2024

With school starting soon many teens and kids are experiencing more anxiety. While going back to school can be exciting for some, for others it can cause them a lot of distress. This is your friendly reminder that not everything is always how it appears. Not all behaviors are what they appear. Your child might not be angry, they might just be anxious.

08/22/2024

Hello! Let me introduce myself! I'm Nichelle Blakesley and I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker. I've been working in the mental health field since 2016 in a variety of different capacities. When I decided I wanted to go back to school for my masters degree, I didn't even know at that point that upon graduating becoming a therapist was something I could do. I enrolled in the University of Northern Iowa's Trauma Informed Care Program in hopes of advancing my career. I never imagined by going through the program I would come to better understand myself in the process, which would then lead me to where I am today.

You are not broken. Nothing is wrong with you. To put it simply, what we go through and what we encounter in our lives can impact how we view and react to the world around us. Sometimes our brains can make connections based on these experiences that can in turn create negative beliefs about ourselves like we're unworthy, unlovable, or unable to be successful.

Unfortunately some of the most amazing humans often don't see or recognize their own value or worth in this world. I have the best job in the world however, and I get to be part of their journey to healing. I get to help them identify and understand these negative beliefs, how may have come to be, and how to overcome them.

I use a lot of different approaches and modalities within therapy, but one of the most important in my opinion quite simply is kindness.💚