Red Oak Counseling of Wisconsin

12/16/2025

🍂🍁The holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially if you're facing isolation or loneliness. While this time of year often emphasizes connection and celebration, it’s important to prioritize your well-being and find ways to nurture yourself. Here are some tips to help:

1️⃣ Reach Out: Don’t hesitate to connect with friends, family, or support groups, even virtually. A simple phone call or video chat can provide comfort and remind you that you’re not alone.

2️⃣ Create Your Own Traditions: Celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you. Whether it’s a cozy movie night, baking your favorite treat, or writing a gratitude journal, personal rituals can bring a sense of joy.

3️⃣ Volunteer or Give Back: Helping others can reduce feelings of isolation and boost your mood. Consider volunteering at a local organization, donating to a cause, or simply spreading kindness within your community.

4️⃣ Practice Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. It’s okay to feel lonely. Focus on small acts of self-care, like reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath, to ground yourself.

5️⃣ Seek Professional Support: If feelings of loneliness persist or feel overwhelming, reaching out to a therapist or counselor can provide tools and support to navigate this challenging time.

Want to find out more? http://spr.ly/6186CzI1a

12/08/2025

Interested in Group Therapy? 🧠
Cognitive Processing Therapy Group for Trauma CPT is a 12-session group to help treat PTSD and trauma symptoms. The group will include psychoeducation on PTSD, identifying stuck points
(thoughts that do not help and keep us stuck), writing and processing trauma events, challenge negative thoughts, and build skills to reduce symptoms.

📍Time:
Thursdays 6:00 P.M - 7:00 P.M

📍Location:
12970 W. Bluemound Road
Elm Grove, Wisconsin

https://www.redoakcounseling.com/

12/08/2025

🌟 Provider Spotlight: Dana Lehrer, APNP 🌟

Meet Dr. Dana Lehrer, a dual-certified Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner in Family Practice and Psychiatry. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Dana brings compassion, expertise, and a trauma-informed approach to mental health care.
Her passion? Helping adolescents and adults navigate anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more while creating a safe space for healing and growth. Dana believes in treating the whole person, combining medication, therapy, and coping strategies to empower patients toward their personal best.

💬 Join us in welcoming Dana to the Red Oak team!

Red Oak Counseling is a mental health and substance abuse clinic. We are conveniently located in Elm

11/14/2025

Seasonal gatherings bring opportunities for connection, celebration, and joy — but they can also come with stress, fatigue, and pressure to make everything “perfect.” That mix of excitement and stress is completely normal.

The key is finding ways to care for your mental health while being present in the moment:
✔️ Be intentional. Put down distractions and give your full attention to the people and conversations around you.
✔️ Set realistic expectations. Focus on connection over perfection — small moments often create the best memories.
✔️ Take breaks when needed. Step outside, breathe deeply, or pause for quiet reflection if things feel overwhelming.
✔️ Practice gratitude. Shifting your focus to what’s going well can boost mood and reduce stress.

✨ By balancing self-care with connection, you can reduce stress and make your seasonal gatherings truly meaningful. Want to find out more? http://spr.ly/61897Zi2U

11/10/2025

💚 Managing the Symptoms of Depression
Recovering from depression takes time — and while medication and counseling can help, lifestyle changes play a powerful role in long-term well-being.

Here are a few ways to support your mental health:
✔️ Stay connected. Isolation and depression often go hand-in-hand. Build and nurture a circle of supportive friends, family, or colleagues.
✔️ Keep moving. Gentle exercise like walking, stretching, yoga, or tai chi can help boost mood and energy.
✔️ Practice relaxation. Deep breathing, meditation, or even massage therapy can reduce stress and help prevent setbacks.
✔️ Be patient. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight — take it one day at a time.

✨ With support, healthy habits, and the right care, it’s possible to manage symptoms and find more balance.

👉 Learn more strategies for managing depression here: http://spr.ly/61887TXdn

11/07/2025

😌 Managing Stress with Mindfulness

Stress is a natural part of life — but when it builds up, it can affect nearly every system in the body, from your heart and muscles to your mood and focus. That’s why learning healthy ways to manage stress is so important for overall well-being.

✨ One proven approach is mindfulness. By focusing on the present moment without judgment, mindfulness can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness.

Here are a few simple ways to start:
✔️ Focus on your breathing — notice each inhale and exhale.
✔️ Pay attention to your senses — what you feel, hear, or smell.
✔️ Be present in your relationships and daily activities.
✔️ When cravings or urges arise, remind yourself: this will pass.
Mindfulness may not feel easy at first, but over time, it can help you build resilience, acceptance, and peace of mind.

Want to learn more? http://spr.ly/61827OmcE

11/03/2025

🗣️ Conversations About Mental Health
Talking about mental health isn’t always easy — but it’s an important step toward healing and building strong support networks.

💚 Remember:
✔️ You’re in charge. You decide what details to share and with whom. Start with trusted friends or family, and when you’re ready, connect with a professional who can provide guidance.
✔️ Show that you’re there. Listen without judgment, validate what the other person shares, and ask what kind of support they need.
✔️ Know when to seek help. If someone is in immediate danger, reach out for professional support or emergency services right away.

Every conversation has the power to reduce stigma, create understanding, and let someone know they’re not alone.

10/31/2025

When’s the last time you felt heard?

Our therapists listen in the real moments — in your car, between meetings, when life feels overwhelming. We’re here to support and empower you. 💛

Find support: http://spr.ly/61857Ghhl

10/31/2025

🌥️ If the colder weather and shorter days leave you feeling down, you’re not alone.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than the occasional case of “winter blues.” It’s a type of depression that typically occurs when there’s less sunlight, and it can last for months at a time.

⚠️ Common symptoms may include:
Feeling sad or losing interest in things you once enjoyed
Sleeping or eating more than usual
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Withdrawing from friends and family

SAD is most common in women ages 18–30, but it can affect anyone. Recognizing the signs early — in yourself or someone you love — is the first step to getting support and feeling better.

👉 Learn more about SAD and ways to cope: http://spr.ly/61877GFcF

10/24/2025

🌿 A Quick Guide to Mindful Living 🌿
Practicing mindfulness is one of the simplest ways to support your mental health and overall well-being. By helping you focus on the present moment, mindfulness can:

✨ Reduce stress and worry
✨ Build emotional resilience
✨ Boost joy and calm

Here are a few ways to start today:
✔️ Set an intention each morning
✔️ Pause to notice your surroundings and senses
✔️ Move your body with purpose (yoga, tai chi, or mindful walking)
✔️ Check in with your emotions throughout the day

🧘‍♀️ Want to learn more?
📲 Find care at: http://spr.ly/61812rm57 or call 1-877-OBC-0013

👉http://spr.ly/6182AhkfY

10/20/2025

😣 How Stress Affects You — and What You Can Do About It
A little stress can be useful — it helps push us into action. But when stress lingers or feels overwhelming, it can take a toll on both body and mind.

⚡ Physically, stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, chest pain, digestive issues, or sleep problems.

💭 Emotionally, it can leave you feeling anxious, irritable, overwhelmed, or even depressed.

The good news? Stress doesn’t have to control your life. By learning how stress works and finding healthy ways to manage it — like movement, mindfulness, rest, or reaching out for support — you can protect your health and improve your overall well-being.

Wanting to know more about your mental health?
📲 Find care at: http://spr.ly/61812rm57 or call 1-877-OBC-0013

10/17/2025

🎙️ New Episode Alert – Why We Do Therapy

Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. In this episode of our podcast, hosts Roxane Battle and Chez Chesak explore:

✨ The societal shift toward talking more openly about therapy
✨ How to find a therapist who truly meets you where you’re at
✨ The rise of app-based therapy and teletherapy

Tune in to Season 3, Episode 4: Why We Do Therapy and discover how therapy can help support a thriving, balanced life.

👉 Listen here: http://spr.ly/6186A20Mi