Brandy Kelley Counseling

07/28/2025

✨ Brandy Kelley Counseling, PLLC is proud to sponsor The Climb – Team Effingham again this year! ✨
As a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, I am honored to support an event that raises awareness, builds community, and reminds families they are not alone. The Climb, through Postpartum Support International (PSI), brings attention to the emotional journeys so many experience during pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.
At Brandy Kelley Counseling, I work with clients navigating:
✔️ Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
✔️ Pregnancy and infant loss
✔️ Birth trauma
✔️ Postpartum OCD and anxiety
✔️ Life transitions and parenting stress
If you or someone you love is struggling, know that healing is possible — and support is available. Learn more at brandykelleycounseling.com.

🌿 We’re proud to announce that Brandy Kelley Counseling, PLLC will once again be sponsoring The Climb – Team Effingham this year! 🌿

As a perinatal mental health therapist, this cause is deeply personal and incredibly important to me. I work every day with individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum, loss, trauma, and the complex emotions that can come with these seasons of life. Supporting The Climb means supporting awareness, connection, and healing for parents and families in our community.

Through therapy, I help clients find hope, build resilience, and move forward — one step at a time. You can learn more about my work and offerings at brandykelleycounseling.com.

Let’s continue to shine a light on maternal mental health, together. 💛

07/25/2025

Crisis Nursery's New Beginnings bags are a free resource for expectant mothers made possible through your generosity.

NB bags are stuffed full of everything a mother and baby could need to get started on their journey together as a family. Gently used and new items can be accepted. If you happen to have any gently used or new diaper bags you no longer need, we would love to put them to good use for this service as well. Crisis Nursery's donation drop off times are Monday - Friday between 8a - 4p.

Thank you in advance! 💙

07/23/2025

07/23/2025

As someone who works in the perinatal mental health space and knows firsthand how much it matters to feel seen and supported, this means so much. To have one of the leading providers in our community not only acknowledge but actively support awareness around perinatal mental health is a big step in the right direction.

Mental health in pregnancy and postpartum isn’t talked about enough — but this kind of collaboration shows we’re changing that. 🙌

I’m so grateful to have Effingham OB/GYN walking beside us this year. Let’s keep spreading awareness, showing up for families, and making sure no one feels alone in this journey. 💪💛

🌸 Sponsor Spotlight: Effingham Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, PLLC 🌸

We are so proud to have Effingham OB/GYN as a sponsor for this year’s Climb Team Effingham! As a trusted provider for so many moms and families in our community, their support means the world to us.

👩‍⚕️ They recently welcomed three new providers, bringing their team to a total of 11 compassionate and skilled professionals— offering more access and support to women throughout every stage of life. Whether you're navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond, they are here for you.

✨ Services offered include:
• Annual Exams
• Family Planning
• Menopause Support
• Vaginal Dryness / Mona Lisa Touch Laser
• Obstetrics & Midwifery
• Lactation Counseling

Effingham OB/GYN understands the unique journey of motherhood, and their dedication aligns beautifully with the mission of The Climb — to support and uplift parents in our community.

Learn more at 💻 [effinghamobgyn.com](https://effinghamobgyn.com)

Thank you, Effingham OB/GYN, for walking beside us in this important work. 💙

07/16/2025

07/14/2025

06/13/2025

🌿Sponsor The Climb Team Effingham 2025!🌿

We’re gearing up for our second annual Climb Team Effingham event happening on **October 4, 2025** — and we need YOUR help to make it even bigger and better! 💙

Last year, we were blown away by the turnout —over 110 attendees and more than $2,200 raised to support perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. With your support this year, we know we can grow even more and continue raising awareness and offering vital resources to families in our community.

📣 We’re currently seeking sponsors — both local businesses and families — who want to stand behind this meaningful cause. As a sponsor:

* Your logo will be featured on our flyer (see photo for placement)
* You’ll receive social media recognition
* You’ll have the opportunity to host a vendor table at the event
* Most importantly, you'll be part of a movement helping community members get the support they deserve during one of the most vulnerable times in life

✨ Whether you’ve sponsored before or are brand new to The Climb — we’d love to have you on board. Your sponsorship makes a direct impact.

📩 Reach out to me with any questions or to reserve your spot as a sponsor or vendor @ climbteameffingham@gmail.com. Let’s climb together and make this year's event unforgettable.

Tag businesses you would love to see there! We are always looking for new resources and businesses to join us!

06/08/2025

🌟 June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month 🌟

This month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of mental health, particularly for men, who often face unique challenges when it comes to discussing their emotions and seeking help.

It's crucial to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversations. Remember, it's okay to not be okay. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or just feeling overwhelmed, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Here are a few ways to support men in your life this month:

1. Start Conversations: Check in with your friends, family, or colleagues. As simple “How are you doing?” can open the door to deeper discussions.

2. Educate Yourself: Learn about the specific mental health challenges that men face. Understanding is the first step towards compassion.

3. Encourage Professional Help: Normalize seeking therapy or counseling. Professional guidance can be incredibly beneficial.

4. Share Resources: Help spread the word about local mental health services or hotlines that provide support.

5. Practice Self-Care: Encourage men to engage in activities that promote well-being, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.

Let’s work together to create a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized. 💚

05/30/2025

🎉Brandy Kelley Counseling is officially ONE YEAR OLD!🎉

It’s hard to put into words how grateful I feel looking back on this past year. When I opened the doors to Brandy Kelley Counseling, I hoped to create a space where people could feel safe, supported, and truly seen—and thanks to you, that vision became a reality.

To my clients: thank you for trusting me to walk alongside you through some of the most tender, challenging, and transformative moments of your lives. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

In this first year, I’ve had the opportunity to attend incredible trainings to continue growing as a clinician, deepening my skills to better support the people I work with. I also had the privilege of co-leading *The Climb – Team Effingham*, an event close to my heart that supports Postpartum Support International (PSI). I’m deeply committed to their mission and to helping families in our community navigate the perinatal journey with compassion and care.

Here’s to continued growth, connection, and healing in year two. Thank you for being a part of this journey. 💙

05/27/2025

🌟 The Climb – Team Effingham is back! 🌟

We’re so excited to be leading our second annual Climb event right here in Effingham on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 — and we want YOU to be part of it! 💙

What is The Climb?
The Climb is a community event hosted in partnership with Postpartum Support International (PSI), designed to bring awareness to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) — and to show families they are not alone. We gather to honor the strength of those who’ve faced perinatal mental health struggles and celebrate the courage it takes to reach out for help. 💪

Whether you're a parent, professional, supporter, or simply someone who cares — you’re invited to join us for a day of connection, hope, and healing. 💐

Link to join our team --> https://give.postpartum.net/team/641363

📅 Save the Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025
📍 Location: Effingham, IL – Blue Pavilion Community Park Effingham Park District -EPD
🎉 Activities • Giveaways • Community Resources • Family Fun

Stay tuned for more updates, and help us spread the word by sharing this post! 💬👇

03/31/2025

🌸 Coping with Maternal Rage & Communicating Your Needs 🌸

Maternal rage is real, and if you've experienced it, you’re not alone. It often stems from exhaustion, unmet needs, lack of support, or feeling unheard. While these emotions are valid, it’s also important to have tools to cope and communicate effectively with those around you. Here are some ways to navigate these moments:

💡 Pause & Identify the Trigger – Take a deep breath and ask yourself, What is really setting me off? Is it exhaustion? Feeling unappreciated? Overstimulation? Recognizing the root can help you address the real issue.

💬 Express Your Needs Clearly – Instead of assuming others should “just know,” try using direct and specific communication. “I need 30 minutes to decompress before handling bedtime” or “It would really help if you took over dishes tonight.”

🧘 Find an Outlet – Rage needs somewhere to go. Whether it’s journaling, movement (a walk, stretching, shaking it out), deep breathing, or even screaming into a pillow—giving your body a safe way to release tension is crucial.

🤝 Ask for Help & Accept Support – You don’t have to do it all alone. Whether it's your partner, a friend, or a trusted support group, let people in. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reaching out for professional guidance can be a game-changer.

❤️ Practice Self-Compassion – Feeling this way does NOT make you a bad mom. You're a human with needs, and recognizing them is a strength.

If this resonates with you, know that there is space for these feelings, and support is available. You deserve to be heard, understood, and cared for too. 💕

Let’s continue the conversation—what has helped you when you’re feeling overwhelmed? ⬇️💬