Counseling Corner

01/11/2025

29/10/2025

29/10/2025

A fascinating discovery in neuroscience reveals that motivation often follows effort, rather than preceding it. Researchers have found that the brain releases dopamine—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter after we take action, creating a reward cycle that fuels even greater drive and productivity.

Contrary to common belief, waiting for motivation before starting a task may not be the most effective strategy. Instead, taking small steps or initiating action triggers a release of dopamine, which signals the brain that progress has been made. This chemical reinforcement enhances mood, focus, and persistence, making it easier to continue pursuing goals.

The process works as a feedback loop. Action leads to dopamine release, dopamine increases motivation, and increased motivation encourages further action. This reward cycle can be leveraged to build habits, maintain consistency, and achieve long-term objectives. Neuroscientists note that even minor accomplishments—like completing a single task or making measurable progress—can activate this system and set off a chain reaction of sustained motivation.

Understanding this mechanism has practical implications for work, education, and personal development. Instead of waiting to “feel motivated,” individuals can prioritize taking action, knowing that the brain will respond positively once movement begins. Structured routines, goal setting, and breaking tasks into manageable steps can maximize dopamine-driven motivation.

This research challenges the traditional approach to productivity and highlights the brain’s natural ability to reward effort. By starting first and trusting the process, anyone can harness this neurochemical cycle to boost drive, overcome procrastination, and maintain momentum toward achieving their goals.

In essence, the brain teaches a simple principle: motivation is earned through action, not anticipated beforehand. Take action, experience the reward, and let your drive grow naturally from there.

10/10/2025

Research shows that when children ask to be carried, even though their legs can walk, it’s not laziness. It’s longing.

They’re not incapable.
They’re reaching for closeness.

Because here’s the truth:
A child can run around the playground for hours.
They can climb stairs, chase friends, and jump without hesitation. But suddenly, with mom or dad nearby, they raise their arms and plead, “Carry me.” And in that moment, it’s not their legs that are tired. It’s their heart that needs holding.

Why?
Because physical closeness is emotional fuel.

🧠 Attachment research shows that touch, holding, and closeness regulate a child’s nervous system, lowering cortisol and strengthening their sense of security (Feldman, 2010). Being carried tells them, 'You are safe.' You belong. You don’t have to do life all alone.

Why does this matter?

Because when we don’t understand it, we believe the lie: They’re spoiled. They’re manipulating. They should be independent by now.

But science is whispering: Independence grows out of secure dependence first.

Here’s what supporting that can look like:
→ Offering to carry them when you can, without shaming.
→ Meeting their need for connection through cuddles, hugs, and presence.
→ Remembering that “carry me” today becomes the inner voice of “I can carry myself” tomorrow.

The truth is, children don’t ask to be carried forever. But they will never forget how it felt to be held.

So maybe the question isn’t,
“Why can’t they just walk?”
Maybe it’s,
“What if their raised arms are really saying, ‘Hold me close so I can keep going?’”

Because the world doesn’t just need kids who walk strongly, it requires kids who know the strength of love that carried them first. 🤍

09/10/2025

Did you know meditation is the best coping skill for anxiety? If meditation is too difficult, try guided meditation. You can just search for free guided meditations on YouTube. I would start with 5 minutes every day for a week. Increase to 10 minutes the second week and 15 minutes the third. Most people are seeing improvement by the end of the 2nd week.
You are welcome. ❤️

08/10/2025

New research is unlocking the hidden wiring behind how we weigh risk and the findings are changing how we see ADHD.

Scientists found that people with ADHD process risky decisions differently, with brains that react in unique patterns when confronted with uncertain or high-stakes situations. Unlike the conventional belief that ADHD simply leads to impulsivity, the study reveals something deeper, a different neurological path in how risk is assessed, weighed, and acted upon.

Even more fascinating? The study showed that women’s brains respond earlier when evaluating risk, especially in the first milliseconds of exposure to a risky choice. These early signals, detected through neural imaging, may serve as subconscious red flags that could guide decision-making before we’re even aware of it.

This doesn’t mean better or worse. It means different. And understanding those differences opens new doors for mental health support, smarter diagnostics, and personalized treatment approaches.

Instead of treating ADHD as a deficit, this study reframes it as a different operating system, one that may come with its own strengths, sensitivities, and superpowers.

The more we learn about the brain, the more we realize: diversity in how we think isn’t a flaw.
It’s part of the code.

06/10/2025

Jane Goodall 🍃💙

Deeply saddened to wake up to the sad news of the passing of Jane Goodall.

A true inspiration and light in the world 🌎 her dedication to the natural world, and advocacy for chimpanzees has inspired me endlessly.

A beautiful soul, the world would be a better place if we all thought a little more like her.

Sending love to her family, colleagues and the conservation community 🐒

* prints added by popular request, thank you for all your love on this tribute. It is clear the world will miss her 💙

https://rachelbrooksart.com/collections/protect-what-you-love-collection/products/jane-goodall-tribute-scientific-illustration-print
Jane Goodall | Scientific illustration | Scientific illustrator | Natural history illustration | Wildlife art | Wildlife artist

24/09/2025

24/09/2025

This list could go on and on, right?

Here is a resource on behaviors that we see in preschoolers, and the “why” behind them. These “whys” can go for older kids as well: https://www.theottoolbox.com/problem-preschool-behaviors/