Andrea Lansing, LISW with Denver Counseling Services

10/10/2024

Today is National World Mental Health Day!

Remember to prioritize your mental and physical well-being, and don’t forget to check in on your loved ones.

I feel truly blessed to work with such amazing clients and be part of their journeys toward becoming their best selves. Let’s support each other!

05/15/2024

Bonus Mental Health extra:

I’ve been blessed with being able contract with Denver Community School District the last two years to bring a private practice setting for mental health therapy access to our students Tk-12th.

This has allowed parents to not have to take off work for their child’s appointment, students are only missing 30-55 minutes of class once to twice a month versus being gone for hours due to outside appointments. Quick access in a mental health crisis.

Starting therapy young can assist in gaining emotional vocabulary, self identification, boundary setting, behaviors and assist with all types of trauma.

Being in the schools allows open communication with teachers and admin to educate, be a support and help the student be more successful all around!

Allows the guidance counselors and I to collaborate on mental health plans. I can assist in not only mental health, but also knowledge with community resources and help families overall.

I feel this should be an access in all public schools!

Blessed to be in a community, where our school is putting mental health as a priority for our students.


*I love how Sesame Street is bringing education on what therapist can do and how it’s OK just see one!

Kids can learn along with Elmo and Karli as they understand and appreciate the job of “feelings helpers”! Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit with a mission to he...

05/15/2024

Today’s mental health tip….Things about being a friend…Friends can be so good for our mental health, if you have the right friends!

I copied this post, but it all rings true! At the end of the day, I want my girls to be good humans and true friends to others!!



Things I want my daughter to know about friendship:

1. Not everyone is going to like you. It’s okay. (I know it won’t always feel like that’s true, but I promise it is).

2. Not everyone is going to invite you. That’s okay too.

3. You’ll never regret kindness. (Never ever).

4. If you constantly have to tiptoe around them, they’re not your people.

5. You get to choose them, so choose the ones who are choosing you back.

6. Have high standards when it comes to friends, but don’t be unrealistic. They’re going to mess up, so are you. Grace is essential.

7. Be yourself. Let other people be themselves right back.

8. You can’t have friends if you don’t know how to be a friend.
Focus on being the best friend you possibly can.

9. Don’t wait. You’re allowed to do the inviting and the reaching out too.

10. Listen.

11. If you want them to be there for the big stuff, you’re gonna have to be there for each other in the small stuff too.

12. Don’t knowingly leave people out. It doesn’t feel good.

13. Gossip is garbage.

14. Drama is too. Stay above the fray, and feel free to walk away.

15. You can’t be best friends with everyone. But you can notice everyone. You can smile at everyone. You can say hello to everyone. You can be good to everyone and make sure people feel seen.

16. It’s better to be genuinely loved by a few than fake loved by a few thousand.

17. Popularity for the sake of popularity is pointless.

18. Your worth will never come from others. You have to learn to accept yourself if you want others to accept you.

19. Give more than you take, but don’t be anyone’s doormat. Your momma didn’t raise you right so you could be walked all over.

20. Your friends should be good to you, but they should also be good to other people. If they’re nice to you and then turn around and talk smack about others, they’re not nice.

21. Be loyal. Stick up for your friends whether they’re around or aren’t.

22. Friends aren’t toys to be discarded when you get bored. Deep friendships take time and commitment.

22. Show up for your friends even if they didn’t ask you to. If they’re going through something hard check on them, sit with them, and bring them flowers. Be present, even if it feels awkward.

23. If Mama don’t like them, there’s probably a good reason.

24.Friendship is one of the most important things you can invest in in life. Make the time.

25. If you get hurt, I’m always here for a hug, and to talk, I’ve been there. Give yourself time and grace to heal, but listen my love, don’t close yourself up and don’t shut yourself away. Opening up your heart again is worth the risk.

05/10/2024

Happy Friday! Today's mental health education is around Mental Health Stigma.

Mental Health Stigma:
The stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness often persists because the symptoms are not as visible as those of physical illnesses.

Take depression, for example: someone experiencing it may have learned to conceal their emotional pain, thus presenting no obvious physical symptoms. While some individuals with depression might show visible signs such as low energy, frequent crying, excessive sleeping, or irritability, these indicators are often dismissed as mere inability to cope with life's challenges, reducing the issue to something that is "all in their head" and suggesting they simply "get over it."

This perspective is flawed because it ignores the concrete, physical basis of mental illnesses. Advances in medical technology, particularly brain imaging, allow us to 'peel back' the layers of the brain and visualize the physical changes that occur with mental illnesses. These visible changes in brain structure and function challenge the misconception that mental health issues are purely psychological and highlight their legitimacy as real, physical ailments.

Below you can see brain imaging scans for a normal brain as related to four different mental illnesses: depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The question lies, how can you assist in stopping the Stigma?

See the slides below as helpful ways to assist and get the word out about mental health.

05/10/2024

Mental health tip of the day….if you gave it your all, you gave 100%….Remember you are worthy!!!

05/08/2024

What are mental/physical health goals?
Mental and Physical health goals are specific, achievable objectives that you set for yourself to promote and maintain good mental and physical health.

These goals are designed to improve your emotional well-being, reduce stress, and enhance your overall psychological and emotional state.

Setting and working towards these goals can help you address specific challenges, build resilience, and foster a more positive mindset and body.

I challenge each of you to pick 2 or 3 Mental and or Physical Health Goals you want to work on over the summer break.

Ideas Below!

I am personally working on setting boundaries, remembering to NOT take things personally and I am hoping to get in more bike rides with my husband and children.

05/06/2024

Mental health tip of the day: What fills your cup? What takes away from your cup?? What can I do to help me cup???

05/05/2024

Anxiety overlaps in so many areas….remember to take time to self soothe!

05/02/2024

Today’s mental health tip is around self understanding and self care….Daily reflection: Do you personally healthy vent to others or do you emotionally dump??? What about your close family and friends?? Remember to self care and give yourself positive energy!!

05/01/2024

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month….31 days, 31 different posts about mental health!

03/31/2024

As the month comes to the end of National Social Workers month, I just wanted to thank all my former and current clients for allowing me to be part of their journey. I truly love my job and feel blessed to be in this profession!

05/10/2023

I had a client today tell me that instead of TO DO lists, she makes herself a Ta-Da list....So when its complete she can cross it off and say "Ta-Da"....Best thing I heard all week!!