Dr. Clay Rowell, Licensed Professional Counselor

09/01/2025

07/14/2025

I've noticed something profound about how anxiety affects our spiritual lives. Anxiety doesn't just create racing thoughts and physical tension - it often disconnects us from our deeper spiritual resources precisely when we need them most. The good news is that when we understand this connection, we can work with both dimensions simultaneously for more complete healing.

The Grounding Prayer Practice for Anxiety

This technique bridges evidence-based anxiety management with spiritual grounding, creating a more holistic approach to finding peace. Think of it as combining the practical benefits of mindfulness with the deeper comfort that comes from spiritual connection.

When you notice anxiety rising, engage your five senses to anchor yourself in the present moment. Notice three things you can see, two things you can hear, and one thing you can physically feel. This interrupts the anxiety spiral and brings you back to the here and now.

Next, instead of stopping there, take this grounding into sacred space. Place your hand on your heart or another part of your body that feels comforting, and offer a simple prayer or intention. This might be asking for peace, surrendering your worries to a higher power, or simply acknowledging that you are held by something greater than your anxious thoughts. The key is connecting your immediate experience to your spiritual beliefs (whatever they are) about being supported and cared for.

Finally, close by setting a gentle intention for the next few minutes. This isn't about controlling outcomes but about aligning your immediate actions with your deeper values and spiritual understanding.

What makes this practice particularly effective is that it addresses anxiety on multiple levels simultaneously. The grounding technique calms your nervous system using proven therapeutic methods. The spiritual component reminds you that you're not alone in your struggle and connects you to resources beyond your own willpower. The intention-setting helps you move forward from a place of spiritual centeredness rather than anxious reactivity.

Many of my clients find that when they approach anxiety through both psychological and spiritual lenses, they experience not just symptom relief but a deeper sense of peace and purpose. Anxiety often carries important messages about our values, boundaries, and spiritual needs. When we learn to listen to these messages while also managing the symptoms, we can transform anxiety from something that happens to us into something that guides us toward greater spiritual and emotional growth.

If you're struggling with anxiety and feel drawn to exploring how your spiritual beliefs might support your healing journey, I'd love to help you discover this integrated approach to finding peace. Connect with me at www.clayrowell.com

06/23/2025

As a counselor, I've walked alongside many people navigating the profound landscape of grief. One thing I've learned is that loss often brings us face-to-face with our deepest spiritual questions. Where is meaning when life feels shattered? How do we honor what we've lost while still choosing to live?

The Sacred Memory Practice

This gentle ritual helps integrate spiritual healing with the natural grief process:

Create a simple weekly practice where you intentionally connect with both your grief and your spiritual beliefs. Light a candle, hold a meaningful object, or sit in a place that feels sacred to you. Spend a few minutes allowing yourself to feel whatever emotions arise - sadness, anger, confusion, even moments of peace.
Then, speak aloud or silently share three things: First, tell your loved one (or acknowledge your loss) what you miss most deeply. Second, express one way their life or presence continues to influence you now. Third, ask for whatever you need most in this moment - strength, comfort, understanding, or simply the ability to keep going.

This isn't about rushing healing or forcing positivity. Instead, it creates space where your grief can coexist with your spiritual beliefs, where sorrow can be held alongside hope, where the reality of loss doesn't have to mean abandoning faith or meaning.
Grief is inherently spiritual work. It asks us to grapple with life's biggest questions while feeling emotionally raw and vulnerable. Having practices that honor both the pain of loss and the possibility of continued connection can provide stability when everything else feels uncertain.

Your grief journey is unique, and it's sacred. There's no timeline for healing, no "right" way to process loss. But you don't have to navigate this path alone, and whatever your spiritual beliefs are, they can be a source of comfort rather than confusion during this difficult time.

If you're struggling with loss and seeking support that honors both your grief and your spiritual journey, I'm here to help you find your way through.

06/12/2025

I regularly work with clients who feel spiritually depleted by their work environments. Whether it's toxic dynamics, overwhelming demands, or simply feeling disconnected from purpose, workplace stress can leave us feeling cut off from our deeper values and spiritual center.

Try some techniques to help you create moments of spiritual connection even during your more challenging days. They are subtle actions you can do anywhere but should be meaningful enough to shift your internal state.

Examples might include: Taking three breaths while silently setting an intention to approach the next task with compassion (for yourself and others). Keeping a small object on your desk or in your pocket that represents your values - touching it briefly when you need grounding. Offering a silent blessing or prayer of gratitude for one specific person you encounter each hour, even difficult colleagues.

The key is consistency rather than duration. Repetition is not redundancy. These moments of spiritual practice create "sacred interruptions" in your day - brief returns to your center that prevent stress from completely overwhelming your spirit.

What makes this practice powerful is that it transforms your workplace from a purely secular space into one where you can still access your spiritual resources. You're not trying to change your environment, but rather maintaining your spiritual identity within it. Over time, these small practices can significantly impact how you experience work stress, helping you stay connected to your deeper purpose and values even when external circumstances are challenging.

Remember: your spiritual well-being doesn't have to be another casualty of workplace demands. Small, consistent practices can help you remain grounded in what matters most, no matter where you work.

If workplace stress is affecting your spiritual or mental well-being, I am available. Sometimes we need help rediscovering how to stay spiritually centered while navigating professional challenges.

06/05/2025

As a Licensed Professional Counselor for about 30 years, I know how deeply our work can affect us. Today I want to share a practice that has helped me maintain both professional boundaries and spiritual grounding while holding space for our clients' profound transformations.

This technique recognizes that our role as counselors mirrors ancient spiritual traditions of bearing witness to human suffering and growth. Understanding this connection can transform how we experience the weight and privilege of our work, helping us navigate the delicate balance between professional objectivity and compassionate engagement.

At the end of each session, take a few moments to silently acknowledge three layers of what just occurred. First, honor the courage your client demonstrated by showing up and being vulnerable in that space. Second, recognize your own professional skill and intuition as instruments through which healing became possible. Third, acknowledge whatever greater force or wisdom you believe flows through therapeutic relationships, whether you call it the therapeutic alliance, divine presence, universal love, or simply the mystery of human connection and resilience.

This practice serves multiple therapeutic purposes simultaneously. It helps prevent burnout by framing our work as participation in something sacred rather than just a demanding job. It maintains healthy boundaries by acknowledging our role as facilitators rather than the source of our clients' healing. Most importantly, it keeps us connected to the spiritual dimension of our calling, which often drew us to this profession in the first place but can get lost in the practical demands of documentation, insurance, and case management.

When we remember that we are witnesses to the sacred unfolding of human growth and transformation, our work becomes not just a career but a form of spiritual practice itself. This perspective helps us show up more fully present while also protecting our own emotional and spiritual well-being.

Special Note for Fellow Counselors: I offer a professional courtesy discount for other licensed counselors seeking their own therapy or spiritual integration work. We pour so much into others that we sometimes neglect our own growth and healing. If you're interested, please message me or visit my Website www.clayrowell.com

04/17/2025

As a licensed professional counselor, I believe healing thrives when we honor all parts of ourselves—including the spiritual. If you’re seeking mental health support that aligns with your faith, values, or inner journey, I’m here to help.

What I Offer:

A safe, non-judgmental space to explore anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, or relationship challenges.

Integration of spirituality into therapy (whatever that means for you—all beliefs or traditions are welcome).

Evidence-based techniques combined with compassionate reflection to help you reconnect with purpose and peace.

Whether you’re rooted in a specific faith, exploring your spirituality, or simply seeking holistic care, my goal is to walk beside you with empathy and respect.

For more information or to make an appointment, go to www.clayrowell.com

02/21/2025

Sometimes we carry burdens far longer than necessary. Counseling isn't just for crisis moments - it's for those ongoing challenges we've normalized in our lives.

If you've been answering "I'm fine" when you're not, maybe it's time to consider talking with someone. Taking that step doesn't mean you're weak - it means you're brave enough to acknowledge you deserve support.

Mental health matters. Your struggles matter. And you don't have to figure everything out alone. 💚 Schedule your appointment today. www.clayrowell.com

11/21/2024

The holidays can be joyful, but they also can bring stress, overwhelm, and tension. Between family gatherings, financial pressures, and packed schedules, it’s easy to feel out of balance.

Quick Tip: Take a few minutes each day to breathe deeply. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and repeat. This small moment of mindfulness can help you reset and refocus.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s work together to find peace this season. 💚

Book online at www.clayrowell.com. Let's make your mental health a priority.

10/10/2024

Studies show that couples who communicate openly and honestly have stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Don't be afraid to share your feelings, needs and concerns with your partner. Active listening is crucial - really try to understand where they're coming from. If you're struggling to communicate effectively, consider trying couples counseling. Having a neutral third party can make all the difference. Book now @ www.clayrowell.com

10/03/2024

Your emotions are a vital part of your human experience, each one carrying its own wisdom. When you're feeling overwhelmed, try this: Pause, tune into your body, and identify what you're feeling. Once you've named it, ask yourself: "What is this emotion trying to tell me?" This practice can help you understand yourself more deeply and honor your full range of experiences. I am here to support you in embracing all aspects of your emotional self. Schedule your appointment or share this with someone. www.clayrowell.com

09/30/2024

Life's uncertainties are opportunities for growth and self-discovery. When facing a challenge, try asking yourself: "What can I learn from this? How might this help me become more fully myself?" This perspective can transform obstacles into stepping stones on your journey of personal development. Remember, you have the inner resources to navigate life's complexities. If you'd like support in uncovering your potential, I am here to guide you along that path. Schedule an appointment now or share with someone you know @ www.clayrowell.com

09/26/2024

Leave a loving note, give a spontaneous hug, or offer a sincere compliment to show appreciation daily. These micro-moments of positivity accumulate over time, fostering a culture of love and respect in your relationship. Make it a goal to perform at least one small act of kindness for your partner each day. Research by Dr. John Gottman shows that successful couples have a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions.

Feeling stuck in a rut? Our counseling sessions can help you rediscover the joy in small gestures and reignite your passion. Book now @ www.clayrowell.com or share this with someone who needs it.