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William Schmidt Counseling

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Clawson, MI
William Schmidt Counseling

Therapy is a fantastic resource, not a last resort. My name is Bill Schmidt. There is no other place I'd rather be than doing this work. NPI 1851154835

I chose to work in Counseling because I have experienced the value of clarity in life first-hand. My training is both conventional and unique; combining modern psychology with ancient tools such as yoga, breathwork and meditation to help you access your own bedrock of inner-knowing. Through my own work and witnessing the work of others, I've learned the profound importance of clarity within one's self. I offer space and assistance to others that also wish to come into their own clarity; to move from compulsive to conscious behavior.

12/23/2025

This time of year can be challenging for many folks for a number of reasons. There is an expectation of a celebration of Hallmark Movie Channel quality, families that actually like each other and get along, meals that come out of the kitchen perfect, and the presents exchanged that people actually want.

But it isn't always like that. In fact, the Holiday Season is often not like that at all for many of us.

But there IS something in the air this time of year; something that can challenge us to broaden our perspectives a little bit.

Here's a list of activities that as a Therapist I've put together that people have found helpful to do over the Holidays (and any day, really):

1) Connection. Connecting with a non-profit local to you and helping out during the Holidays (and ANY day) is a wonderful way to remember purpose. Purpose is necessary. We all need purpose. Helping someone else is a magnificent way to remember that we're all in this together. I like to be outside; but because I live in Suburban Detroit and its chilly this time of year, I'm outdoors less so I go to my local Planet Fitness and use their machines and enjoy just being around other people while listening to a podcast while I'm doing #2, which is

2) Break a little sweat every day. We used to be a lot more physically active a couple of generations ago. We're not so much any longer, and this needs to change. Exercise can improve mental health by releasing mood-lifting endorphins, reducing stress hormones, improving sleep, increasing self-esteem, and promoting brain health through new cell growth and better connections, helping to fight depression, anxiety, and stress while enhancing focus and resilience.

3) Let sunlight (even if it's cloudy outside) hit your face in the morning hours for 10-15 minutes. This helps to reset your Circadian Rhythm to help you sleep better at night, which is next: Just get outside and do a little walk (or a dance if it's your thing) in the AM. It's good for ya.

4) SLEEP. Quality sleep can't be discussed enough; it's when your body repairs itself and gives your nervous system a break. See #2; move your body, and be tired when you go to bed. Get to bed before midnight and wake up in the morning.

And 5), Food. I know, I know. This is the indulgence time of year. Fine, do it. But also learn to pay attention to your body after you eat something. An hour or two after you eat something, just practice seeing how your body feels. This is awareness in action.

Speaking of awareness, here's a basic breathwork practice that you can do to help settle yourself after a busy day:

Sit in a chair, or on the ground if you wish and can. As long as your spine is straight and supported if need be.

With back straight, let your hands rest in your lap, palms open and facing up.
Close your eyes, or if you're not comfortable closing your eyes, find something that is level to your gaze and let your eyes rest on it. Don’t focus hard, we're not trying to DO anything here. We're just trying to get back in touch with our bodies is all.

Take in a deep breath, and let it come out loudly. Like a sigh. Sigh that breath out. Repeat. Let that exhale and sigh come out like you're hitting the couch after doing a bunch of yard-work outside and it feels SO good. One more deep inhale and sloppy, sighing exhale. Let this exhale go all the way through your body and leave via your toes. Sit with that for a few seconds and just notice if you feel any different. Not trying to, just notice if is all.
Now, breathe in through your nose. Practice feeling that air coming in through your nose, expanding your lungs. Now part your lips slightly and exhale through your mouth. Don't exaggerate it, but do let your exhale be slightly longer than your inhale.

Again, in through your nose - just a natural length inhale, and let your exhale come naturally out of your mouth, slightly longer than your inhale.
Try this for 3-4 minutes if you can. In the evening, before bedtime. If you like, you can also do this in the morning, first thing before leaving your bedroom when you wake up. And anytime in between as well if it suits you.

You might find that you're a little bit more relaxed after just watching your breath a little bit. This kind of practice helps bring down the Sympathetic Nervous System, responsible for our "Fight of Flight" response that is hard wired in our bodies. Once upon a time it had a purpose, but these days we require it less and less. Emotional condition can easily put us into fight or flight, so practicing breath awareness is really great for grounding.

Hope this all helps. Happy Holidays!
✨🎄

12/21/2025

There isn't a proper psychological term to describe what happens when a line in a movie, a song lyric or a poem hit home with us. Terms like Universality, Emotional Resonance, and Collective Identification could be used.

Two of my personal favorite Christmas Time movies are "Its a Wonderful Life", and the 1994 remake of "Miracle on 34th Street." Both movies have many instances of Emotional Resonance in them, but I thought I'd share two particular scenes to discuss below:

In the clip from "It's a Wonderful Life", Jimmy Stewart's character George Bailey is in Martini's Bar, praying for guidance for a way out of a desperate situation. Stewart has said in multiple interviews that he found himself immediately remembering feeling as lost and hopeless during his time in World War Two as his character George Bailey was supposed to be feeling at that moment. The emotion that Sterwart displayed was real and unscripted. After all, the movie was released in 1946; only a year after WWII had ended. Stewart's genuine emotion wasn't lost on Frank Capra, the movie's director - for he saw what was happening and manually zoomed the camera in on Stewart during this scene (which is why it appears so grainy) and was done in a single take. Stewart would later say that IAWL was his favorite movie in his catalog of work (even thought the film didn't do well at first) solely because of that scene. Wartime PTSD is most certainly a real thing; even if it's intentionally used for a productive cause. Not to be taken lightly or used as a tool.

In 1994's remake of Miracle on 34th Street, Sir Richard Attenborough secretly learned ASL to be able to communicate with Samantha Krieger who played Sammy, the young girl that was deaf that wanted to see Santa. Attenborough kept his education private. Samantha's reaction to Santa signing with her is genuine, and was also recorded in one take.

Jimmy Stewart described happenings like this in movies as "moments" that reach an audience; and that was what made a good movie. Scenes like these, poems, paintings and song lyrics all can contain emotional resonance; communication on a deeper level; and that they have a universal reach is how they "resonate" with us globally.

11/27/2025

In the midst of stress, loss, or change, gratitude doesn’t ask us to pretend everything is okay—it gently reminds us that something still is.

It might be a quiet morning, a supportive friend, the comfort of a pet, or the simple fact that we made it through another day. Gratitude doesn’t erase our struggles, but it helps soften them, giving the heart just enough room to breathe.

But let's take a quick look at how feeling gratitude might affect our health?

~ People who report higher levels of gratitude tend to have significantly lower rates of depression. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude?

~ Gratitude is associated with more positive emotions, increased life satisfaction, optimism — building resilience against adversity and emotional strain. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier?

~ Gratitude can help calm your nervous system: expressing or reflecting on gratitude can trigger the “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) response rather than fight-or-flight - thus, lowering heart rate, blood pressure and increasing heart rate variability. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude?

~ Lower stress means lower cortisol (the stress hormone), which over time can reduce wear-and-tear on the body and support better overall health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/11/practicing-gratitude-better-health-and-well-being?

A recent large study of older women found that those with the highest gratitude scores had a lower risk of dying over a three-year follow-up period—particularly from heart disease. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/gratitude-linked-to-longer-life-and-fewer-heart-related-deaths?

Practicing gratitude - even minimally can have a big positive impact on your physical AND emotional health. Here's to living a happier life.

09/25/2025

The cornerstone of work in the office is the breath.

We practice noticing how we’re breathing, shallow or deep, if anything feels heavy or light. And explore those sensations, and then we look to see if anything is behind them. An emotion, an old memory maybe. And we observe if these old memories and emotions could be influencing the present day.

The observer effect is one of the most powerful tools in self-awareness there is.

And using the breath as a gateway has been in practice for thousands of years. The best things never go out of style.

Because how you breathe is how you live.

08/28/2025

Ten years ago today I painted the last corner on what was to be the next chapter of my life, my Counseling Office.

Its turned out to be SO much more than I ever imagined; not just a Counseling or Therapy office for people to come and "dump out their problems", but more so a space that people use to slow down for a few minutes, to come into themselves, to face themselves and often some pretty tough demons that have been running the show for them, usually for all of their lives.

From a telephone call one morning in late February of 2013 from my Boss telling me that he was laying me off from my position at a global technology company, to having the really unique opportunity to ask myself how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. Going from flying around the country 70% of my days to using my 30 years of experience in inner work to settle down full time; and then offering that same energy and space to anyone interested in exploring themselves. Current times are a perfect example of how disconnected we've become from our own selves and from one another.

What a ride its been.
Not easy by any definition.

I can share firsthand that sitting in a room with someone as they uncover the bits and pieces of their lives that have been unconsciously directing their actions to this very day is nothing short of Grace; and I look forward to offering that space and energy to people for as long as I can.

07/25/2025

I have two Willow Trees that I’ve grown from cuttings in large half barrels. One of the trees “broke out” of its barrel a couple of years ago and sent roots out to find the earth and more nutrients.

The tree grew and filled out so much more than the other tree that has (so far) remained in its planter.

Now, because the tree that broke out has sent a large root out of the bottom of the planter into the earth, the planter no longer sits flat on the ground. In strong winds, the planter and tree get knocked over.

I thought this was a great example of going outside of convention, of taking a chance on something greater than what you’re used to. Reaching beyond what you’re used to can be risky; you might get knocked around from time to time.

But the benefit can be that you grow; larger, stronger and deeper than you ever were before.

07/23/2025

What is there to say about Ozzy Osbourne that hasn't already been said?

Well, we can easily say that he went for what he wanted. Ozzy has said in a number of interviews that when he was young in England, he heard The Beatles on the radio when they released their first single; and he's quoted as saying "In that moment, the world went from black and white to color" and that from then on, he knew he wanted to play music and be an entertainer.

Ozzy went at life head on, full throttle. Even though he admitted in his later years to being afraid at times of failure, he went at what he did full steam. He often said that "you have to be your own support system, especially when nobody else is".

Ozzy was also open about his struggles with that life; how his excessive behavior nearly did him in. He has been quoted many times stating that marrying his wife Sharon was the best thing he ever did, because she stuck by him when he was at his worst.

He was open about his struggles with his mental health, about raising a family, about his substance abuse, about being a good husband. And later, about his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. He became an advocate for substance abuse recovery. And in fact, he played his final show painkiller-free, stating that he wanted to be clear, and wanted to be present for his fans and for the music, as best he could. How brave Ozzy was!

Turns out, there is quite a bit to be said about John Michael Osbourne. Coming at life head on, and being clear and present at the end is a fantastic way to live, and is also a very good way to leave.

Blessings to Ozzy and his family.

07/20/2025

There should be a time in the morning when you get up; before you know what happened in the world; before you hear the weather report; when you have the opportunity to just be still for a few minutes and learn to listen to your own headlines.

Even better to be able to do this outdoors, where you can hear the creatures greet their day, and share those first rays of morning sunshine with you.

This helps. Helps to settle your system, connects you a little bit to nature and serves as a reminder of something bigger than yourself and your place in it.

07/01/2025

The Difference Between Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety share many symptoms, but they’re not the same thing.

LAURYN HIGGINS, Time Magazine

You’re feeling on edge, your sleep is off, and your thoughts are racing. Is it just a stressful week, or something deeper?

Stress and anxiety share many symptoms, but they’re not the same thing—and coping with anxiety requires a slightly different approach than dealing with stress. Here’s what to know.

The differences:

“Many people use the words ‘stress’ and ‘anxiety’ interchangeably,” says Judith S. Beck, president of Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. “While their symptoms overlap, there are some distinctions between them.”

Stress arises when a person faces demands greater than what they believe they can cope with. It often triggers negative emotions like irritation, anger, or sadness, along with physical symptoms like a fast heart rate, an upset stomach, and tense muscles.
Stress often has a clear external cause and is situation-dependent. Once the event passes, “the intensity of a stress response usually decreases,” Beck says.

Anxiety, on the other hand, can show up even when there’s no clear trigger, and it tends to linger. It’s also typically disproportionate to any stressful situation in a person’s life.

Stress can escalate into anxiety. “Stress and anxiety may be on a continuum,” Beck says. “If stress continues, and efforts to overcome it do not work, individuals may develop an anxiety

This response is helpful when there is a short-term challenge, but can be deleterious if chronically activated. Stress responses resolve when the threat or demand subsides.

Anxiety disorders, however, involve a more sustained state of heightened arousal and vigilance. “With anxiety, that same system might stay activated, even when there’s no real danger. Your brain is stuck in a loop of anticipating problems, so your body keeps reacting as if there’s something to fix, even when there isn’t,” says Nina Westbrook, a marriage and family therapist and founder of the digital wellness community Bene. “It’s exhausting, because your nervous system isn’t getting a break.”

How to cope

Accurately labeling your emotional experiences like stress or anxiety can be a first step in selecting the best coping strategy or treatment.
“Naming what you’re feeling is more powerful than you might think,” says Westbrook. “It gives you a starting point. If you can say, ‘This is stress,’ you can start to connect the feeling to the source.”

Stress might be addressed in many different ways, depending on the trigger. If you’re sweating an upcoming presentation, for instance, better time-management might calm your nerves. In other situations, you might need to set more boundaries or ask for support, Westbrook suggests. Other stress-reduction strategies include dividing overwhelming tasks into smaller, doable steps; taking a short walk; sharing your experiences with a trusted friend; and giving yourself permission to say “not right now,” says Beck.

Read More: 7 Questions That Can Instantly Boost Your Work Relationships

Handling anxiety doesn’t rely as much on addressing any single trigger, since the emotion tends to persist throughout different situations. “You might shift focus to calming your nervous system and working on grounding practices or techniques that you know work for you,” Westbrook says. Anxiety might also require more intensive cognitive-behavioral interventions aimed at changing negative thought patterns.

Deep breathing, mindfulness practices, and regular physical activity can all help reduce anxiety symptoms in the moment and over time. Westbrook recommends routinely limiting stimulation, cutting back on caffeine and social media, setting up and sticking to a routine, and practicing positive self-talk to deal with anxiety

“Therapy can be a game-changer too,” says Westbrook. “It gives you tools, but more importantly, a safe space to process.”

06/04/2025

June is Men’s Health Month - a time to raise awareness and encourage the men in our lives to take charge of their well-being.

Key aspects of Men's Health Month:

* Raising Awareness: June is a time to highlight men's health challenges, including things like prostate cancer, heart disease, mental health disorders, and substance abuse.
* Preventative Care: The month emphasizes the importance of regular health check-ups and screenings.
* Encouraging Healthy Habits: Men are urged to take charge of their health by adopting healthy eating patterns, engaging in social and physical activity, and making positive lifestyle choices such as -
* Focus on Mental Health: Men's Health Month is also about breaking down the stigma surrounding men's mental health and encouraging open conversations and seeking support.

05/23/2025

When you hire a Therapist, you're making a commitment within yourself to do something different.

Different than talking with even the closest trusted friend; this person outside of your social life is here to be your witness, to help you uncover yourself. A professional relationship that in some cases, can even help you uncover ways that you might be sabotaging your own life.

Gently drawing attention to these things as they come up in discussion; often buried in a sentence and overlooked for years and years. Maybe for always.

But this person that you hire to help you can draw your attention back to these things, and help you spend some real time there so that they register; give you time to really 'get it' that this has been happening. And thus making whatever change is necessary more obvious and a little easier because the WHY and how we got there in the first place is more clear now.

The saying "You can have 99 problems, but when your health is bad, you have only 1 problem" is equally applicable to Mental Health as it is to Physical Health.

Choosing good Mental and Physical Health looks good on you.

05/01/2025

Every year since 1949, the month of May in America has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Andrew Carnegie was one of the most successful businessmen in history. He amassed a fortune of over $300 million in his lifetime, and he is credited with helping to shape the modern steel industry. When asked what his secret was, Carnegie responded "I can pay absolute attention to anything for five minutes straight." That was his secret. Carnegie could be absolutely present with something or someone for five minutes at a time.

This was all in a time before our present digital era, before Social Media and the 12-15 second video clips that train our brains and eyes to pay attention only for 12-15 seconds at a time. Little wonder we're struggling so much today.

But the good news is that there is help available.

Medication can be used if necessary to help smooth out any extreme lows and highs someone might be experiencing, allowing the person to feel more stable and grounded so that they can then begin to look at the source of their anxieties.

Working with a Therapist is that second half of treatment.

Your Therapist is not your friend that you casually talk with; this is a professional relationship in which you and they both are participants in your well-being. You hire this person to both be your witness, and to guide you through examining yourself so that you can uncover the reason(s) that you're experiencing the roadblocks in your life you are. And you might even discover that unconsciously, you're creating some of these roadblocks yourself.

Working on your mental health is no different from working on your physical health.
You go to the gym for your body, you go for a walk in the park for your body, you work with your Therapist to gain clarity over your thoughts and emotions. Simple as that.

Address

744 S Main Street
Clawson, MI
48017

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12482592083

Website

http://williamschmidtcounseling.com/

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