Empowered Hope Counseling and Wellness, LLC

11/13/2025

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only two weeks away? If you're like me, it's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that 2025 is almost over. As we wind down the year, it' a great time to pause and reflect on the things we're grateful for.

Someone once said, "An attitude of gratitude determines your altitude." Research studies have proven time and time again that gratitude, literally, enhances every component of our health and well-being. Let's chase AND catch some of that! Let your altitude be the exhilaration to fly, baby, fly!

Will you take just a moment and comment 3 things you're thankful for? I'll start...and if you're interested, you can find mine in the comments. I'm wishing you well and always cheering you on!

11/13/2025

11/09/2025

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACHE
For the past several days, my heart's been experiencing many feelings, fears, wants, thoughts, and wonderings.

We've now officially entered the holiday season, which happens to be my favorite time of year (yep, I'm already playing Christmas music because it brings me joy).

November and December bring boundless pushes towards gratitude and festivities that surround us on all sides. Meanwhile, back at the farm, countless day-to-day functioning and tending to things continues. You know, that thing called life, in real time.

My experiences aren't just from the space of a clinical therapist but as a fellow journey-er in alllllll the things this life brings.

In my last post a couple of days ago, I mentioned thankfulness for the light-bearers in this dark world. I'd like to dive a little deeper on the importance of expressing gratitude and its impact towards a healthy mindset.

Here's the deeper dive: Even in the midst of chaos, overwhelm, sadness, shock, {fill-in-the-blank} that we encounter, gratitude slows us down jjjjjuuusssst long enough to notice what's already good and what's already HERE, now, in this present moment.

As difficult as it might be...through tears, hardships, maybe even anguish, there really is always, always, always SOMEthing to be grateful for.

When we speak gratitude out loud, or write it down, or even share it with someone we care about, something inside us softens. That bit of gratitude can actually help our hearts feel just a little bit lighter and help the load feel a little less heavy.

Gratitude is NOT pretending everything is perfect. Far be it. It's simply recognizing and acknowledging the soft glimmers of light that help navigate your footsteps in the darkness (lean on your light-bearers).

Gratitude is NOT about ignoring the hard things. It's actually the intentional, gentle practice of noticing what's steady (or life-giving) even when the world feels heavy. When we intentionally pause to acknowledge what's good, our minds begin to loosen their grip on fear and overwhelm. The body, mind, heart, and spirit gets a little more room to b-r-e-a-t-h-e.

Gratitude does NOT erase grief, stress, or uncertainty, but it does make space for hope to stand beside those things (whew, that beautiful word HOPE...Hold On Pain Ends).

Soooo today, in the midst of everything, I’m holding close the small joys...the warm glimmers...the unexpected moments of tenderness.

I hope you find one or two that you can hold close, as well, and that you'll experience the release of a soft, sweet sigh of peace that follows.

Be well, beautiful people...I am always cheering you on! 💕

11/06/2025

Thank you to the many light-bearers in this world. It only takes a flicker of light to spark lovingkindness, and your profound impact penetrates the darkness. "You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light!" Matthew 5:14-15 🪔

11/03/2025

LOVE = LIFE

10/28/2025

Today, and every day, we honor YOU who respond in selfless acts of service. In my experience, most of you don't want the recognition, but my shout-out to you brave souls is this: You are the steady hands in chaos, the calm voices in fear, and the light that shows up when the world is dark. You are so much more than the public eye ever has the privilege to see!

Thank you for holding space for others’ pain, for carrying the weight of countless moments, and for finding the strength to keep showing up again and again and again...with courage, compassion, and humanity.

I happen to be married to an incredible man who's always been in a helping profession as a First Responder. Having lived this life with a front-row seat (our son also chooses to be in a First Responder profession), these precious souls who fulfill this work are particularly near and dear to my heart.

So, to every law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, public safety telecommunicator, nurse, and rescue worker...ALL of you, please know this: We see you, we thank you, and we hold the deepest gratitude for the sacrifices you and your families make.

You are so very appreciated! Your service is truly more than duty...it’s truly love in action. Thank you for that!💙

10/28/2025

🎉UPCOMING CONNECTED CONVERSATIONS WORKSHOPS🎉

CLICK LINKS HERE OR IN THE COMMENTS ⬇️ FOR REGISTRATION!
- "Banishing Beastly Burnout" https://forms.gle/ftkALJbWJu8LuAML9
Sat, 11/01, 9:00 am-10:30 am
Thur, 11/06, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm CST
- "Bye-Bye, Imposter: Own Your Worth, Own Your Voice" https://forms.gle/K1x6EBwVe86AscSz7
Sat, 11/02, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm CST

10/22/2025

🧡 Share your love today because tomorrow isn't promised. 🧡

10/19/2025

🔎Check out this one-stop-shop for upcoming Connected Conversations Gatherings.🔍
These 90-minute workshops are especially curated to cover timely topics we often don't really want to talk about out loud.
Please know this: YOU. ARE. NOT. ALONE.

You deserve this safe, sacred space where we'll explore renewal & refreshing. Come...{re}discover YOU! I hope I get to see you soon!

CLICK ⬇️ FOR REGISTRATION LINKS IN COMMENTS!
- "The Power of the Positive No" this Saturday, 10/25, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. CST
- "Banishing Beastly Burnout" Saturday, 11/01, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. OR Thursday, 11/06, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CST

10/16/2025

October 15 is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
I hold dear, remember, & honor the baby boy I lost on May 15, 1987...a day that is forever engraved in my heart.

I was pregnant.
Then I wasn't.
My baby's heart was beating.
Then it wasn't.

The circumstances leading up to & the events surrounding my loss were incredibly traumatic & had an indelible impact upon my life.

Today, as I reflect on my loss over 38 years ago, I am acutely aware there are so many women & men who suffer in silence...the ache referred to as "ghostly grief."

We all have many stories that shape who we are. You're no different. If you've experienced such a loss, I guarantee you can also immediately state how old your child would be if he or she had graced this earth with their precious presence.

For over 38 years, I've had a treasure in Heaven. If you're among the many who've suffered from this anguished grief, my heart is turned toward you.

"All told, probably more women have lost a child from this world than haven't. Most don't mention it, and they go on from day to day as if it hadn't happened, so people probably imagine a woman in this situation never really knew or loved what she had. But ask her sometime: 'How old would your child be now?' And she'll know." -Barbara Kingsolver

Please...if you're so inclined, feel free to share your child's heaven-going date & the age he or she would be today. 💕{{{HUGS}}}💕

10/14/2025

IMPOSTER SYNDROME WORKSHOP - REGISTER TODAY!
Done with self-doubt? Tired of second-guessing yourself? You don’t have to feel like a fraud anymore–it’s time to step into your confidence, claim your worth, and say bye-bye to imposter syndrome. If this all sounds incredible, this workshop gathering is for you. Claim your spot today!
➡️ https://forms.gle/WTCBowHnAcZ4w4Qg6

10/11/2025

Connected Conversations Gathering: "The Power of the Positive NO"

This virtual workshop is all about learning how to set boundaries with kindness, protect your energy, and create more space for what truly matters.

If you’ve ever struggled to say “no” without guilt, this gathering is for you. See information details below and register today! I hope to see you soon!