Andersonville Mindfulness & Psychology

04/14/2026

Self-love isn’t selfish. 💖 We have all seen this familiar phrase. But do we ever ask why?

The clinical reality? Self-love is nervous system regulation.

When you ignore your own needs, your body stays in a state of high alert (hello, burnout + irritability).
When you practice self-love—through boundaries, rest, or seeking support—you are telling your brain that you are safe and worthy of care. 💖






Artwork by Liberty Ewan 🍊

04/13/2026

If you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and like you’re constantly falling short as a parent, you aren't alone. Parental burnout has reached crisis levels, but it’s not because you aren’t "doing enough." It's because we have normalized unsustainable social standards that treat children as "investment projects" and parenting as a high-stakes, solo performance.

True support comes from recognizing that your exhaustion is a signal of a systemic problem, not a personal flaw. At AMP, we provide a trauma-informed, affirming space to help you navigate these pressures and find a path toward sustainable well-being for both you and your family.

If you are a parent who is constantly exhausted, remember you are locked into a system that turned children into emotional and financial investments. We need to find a way out.

04/10/2026

Struggling with follow-through doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. Often, it just means your brain is wired to prioritize short-term relief over long-term goals.

The good news? These patterns aren't fixed. By identifying the automatic thoughts that lead to avoidance and making small, strategic shifts, you can build the habits you need to move forward.

At AMP, we provide a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming space to help you bridge the gap between intention and action.

Struggling with follow-through doesn’t mean you’re lazy. Your personality patterns may be prioritizing short-term relief over long-term goals. But they can change.

04/09/2026

📚 An exciting return of AMP’s beloved Staff Pick series — as we head into prime outdoor reading weather! 🌳📖🎧

This time the recommendation comes from AMP therapist, Miranda Twiss, MA.

Miranda spotlights Lori Gottlieb’s book, Maybe you Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist and Our Lives Revealed. This book narrates the author’s experiences with both being the person in the therapist seat, and also being the person on therapy couch!






recommendedreading
chicagotherapist

🎥 This reel features photo elements courtesy of Harper (publishing). Read more about Lori’s work and speaking engagements online at: lorigottlieb.com 💫

04/08/2026

Many people experience "ego-dystonic" thoughts—disturbing or taboo mental images that feel completely foreign to who they actually are. Because these thoughts often conflict with our deepest values, they can cause intense shame and lead us to believe something is "wrong" with our character.

However, these intrusive thoughts are often a hallmark of OCD, not a reflection of your desires or intent. In fact, the distress you feel is often a sign of how much you value the opposite of that thought.

At AMP, we provide a safe, non-judgmental, and LGBTQ+ affirming environment to explore these experiences. Using trauma-informed care and evidence-based approaches like ICBT and ERP, we help you break the cycle of shame and regain trust in yourself.

Intrusive sexual thoughts are often misunderstood as hidden desire, when they are more accurately a symptom of OCD and a cycle of anxiety-driven doubt.

04/06/2026

We often pour our energy into controlling the outcomes of our lives, only to find that life has other plans. When these attempts fail, it can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or defeated.

Learning to navigate the gap between our efforts and the eventual results is a powerful practice in mindfulness and resilience. This article explores how shifting our focus from control to presence can actually lead to greater peace of mind.

At AMP, we offer a trauma-informed space to help you process these transitions. Whether through individual therapy or group support, we are here to help you find your footing when things don't go as planned.

We often have self-critical thoughts that follow a bad outcome. But here's what we learn.

04/04/2026

Mental health doesn’t have an expiration date, and neither does the importance of seeking support.

Bipolar disorder is often associated with younger generations, but late-onset symptoms can appear after age 50, often presenting as depression, irritability, or fatigue. Because these signs can be misattributed to aging or cognitive changes, many older adults go without the care they deserve.

At AMP, we believe in trauma-informed, affirming care for every stage of life. Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis or looking for ways to manage long-term symptoms, therapy can provide the tools to help you live a full and meaningful life.

Read more about signs of Bipolar Disorder in older adults in this Psychology Today article.

Older people have faced ageism in mental health services. A greater understanding could help them move beyond misconceptions in bipolar disorder and seek support later in life.

04/02/2026

How do we hold space for the world’s heavy realities without becoming overwhelmed? This moving piece from Psychology Today explores "the children are always ours", the idea that caring for the well-being of every child, near or far, is a collective responsibility.

As a trauma-informed practice, we know that witnessing suffering can lead to compassion fatigue. The key is to allow ourselves the space to grieve, which then opens the door to meaningful action. Every positive ripple starts with a small, mindful step toward care.

If you or your family are navigating the emotional weight of current events, we are here to support you.

What would it mean if we let ourselves experience empathy for all the children in the world, to see them all as"ours"?

04/01/2026

We are thrilled to officially announce that Joanna (Jo) Nowak, LCSW, has been appointed as our Director of Clinical Services! 🎉🎉

If you’ve been following us on Instagram for a while, you might already know Jo. She has been an essential part of our team for over 5 years—expertly balancing a full-time clinical caseload while serving as a clinical supervisor for many our staff and interns, all while helping to shape the way we grow as a group practice!

In her previous role as Therapeutic Services Coordinator, Jo spearheaded a total overhaul of our internal onboarding process in collaboration with our Director of Operations. This new system has proven to ensure that every new clinician who joins us feels supported, integrated, and ready to thrive, allowing them to build meaningful caseloads faster than ever!

In her new role, Jo is taking our clinical standards to new heights. Here is a look at what else she’ll be leading:

🛡️ HIPAA Compliance at the Highest Industry Standard
✨ Clinical Quality Assurance & SOPs
🤝 Overseeing the Client Experience for All Clients Served at AMP
🔗 Maintaining Referral Partnerships and Networking for Continued Community Building

Looking to collaborate? Jo is always looking to connect with fellow clinicians and agencies. If you’re looking to build a referral partnership or simply want to say hello, you can reach her at: 📧 jnowak@andersonville.com

Help us congratulations Jo with a “❤️” below!

03/31/2026

When those closest to us fail to see or value our true selves, it can feel like a final judgment on our worth. However, as this insightful article reminds us, someone else’s inability to recognize your humanity is a reflection of their limitations, not your value.

At AMP, we specialize in trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming care to help you move beyond old narratives and reclaim your story. Your worth is inherent, and you deserve to be seen.

If you’re ready to explore your path to healing, we offer individual, couples, and group therapy.

Sometimes the people whose recognition we need most are the ones who fail to see us. What if that isn’t the final judgment of your worth?

03/31/2026

We can try again tomorrow. 🩵
Illustration by 🖌️

03/28/2026

Improving a relationship doesn't always require a massive overhaul; often, a 1% shift is all it takes.

Small, consistent adjustments in empathy, patience, and presence allow our relational systems to cooperate rather than resist. By choosing a "micro-pause" before reacting or committing to a one-minute daily check-in, these tiny habits compound to build lasting trust and closeness.

Our practice values sustainable growth. We offer a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming space to help you and your partner identify the manageable steps that lead to profound change.

Major results from small steps toward empathy and patience.