Rasha Gardner, MC, LPC, CCTP

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Gilbert, AZ
Rasha Gardner, MC, LPC, CCTP

Welcome to Gardner Counseling LLC. I'm a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Arizona and Missou

09/18/2025

Pick a color and then swipe to reveal your message! 👉

Let me know what number/message you get!! 👇

07/22/2025

Good things are coming ☀️

07/08/2025

It’s okay to limit how much news you consume during a crisis — even one close to home.
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With tragedies like the Texas floods, it’s natural to feel pulled to stay constantly updated. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, heartbroken, helpless, or emotionally exhausted , that’s not failure. That’s a sign of compassion fatigue.
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Here’s the truth:
🔹 Setting boundaries around crisis coverage isn’t apathy — it’s protection.
🔹 You can deeply care and take breaks from the weight of it all.
🔹 Numbing out isn’t the only option — intentional rest is a form of resilience.
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You weren’t made to carry everything, all at once, all the time.
Let your heart breathe. Step away when you need to. Pray, process, donate, help when you’re able — but remember: staying informed is not the same as staying overwhelmed.
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💛 You can be a caring person and still protect your peace.

✨ Have you felt this lately? You’re not alone. Let’s talk about ways to care without crumbling.

06/30/2025

If your body has ever gone still or numb during a stressful moment, that’s not failure—it’s survival.

The freeze response is one of the most misunderstood trauma reactions. It often gets labeled as “shutting down” or “not coping well,” but it’s actually a built-in protective strategy your body uses when it senses danger and can’t escape.

You didn’t choose to freeze. Your body chose for you, to keep you safe.

You’re not broken. You’re wise, resilient, and worthy of compassion.

Save this post to come back to when your nervous system needs a little understanding.

03/20/2025

Read that again.

It’s easy to feel stuck, to believe that circumstances are out of our control. But the hard truth? If we’re not actively working to change something, we’re choosing to stay where we are.

This isn’t about blaming ourselves—it’s about recognizing our power. Small steps, big steps, messy steps—they all count. The moment we decide to shift, even in the tiniest way, we’re choosing something different.

What’s one thing you’ve been tolerating that you’re ready to change? Drop it in the comments—I’m cheering you on!

03/11/2025

Fear stops us in our tracks.

Fear had a grip hold on me for years after my trauma (& sometimes still does!).

Yet, feeling the fear AND doing it anyway… that’s the sweet spot, friends.

Change is usually uncomfortable - but the discomfort is also where the good stuff happens and as we practice and go through it, it gets easier.

02/27/2025

When emotions feel overwhelming, taking a moment to reflect can help us to regulate more effectively.

By identifying our thoughts behind our feelings, we can navigate them with more self-compassion and control.

Ask yourself the right questions, and give yourself the space to process.

02/24/2025

We often extend kindness and understanding to others but forget to offer the same to ourselves.

When we’re struggling, our first instinct is often self-criticism rather than self-compassion. But the easiest way to regulate our emotions is through self-kindness.

Next time you’re facing a challenge, pause and treat yourself with the same care you’d give a friend.

Tell me: is this something you struggle with?

02/20/2025

Emotions serve a purpose.

When we experience intense emotions, it’s important to pause and ask ourselves some key questions about what’s happening.

1) What function does this emotion serve?

Understanding the purpose of our emotions can help us process them more effectively.

For example, what role might my anger (a secondary emotion) play?
• Protection
• Communication
• Motivation
• Survival

Anger can serve any of these functions.

2) Is this reaction tied to the past?

Often, our initial emotional response is linked to past experiences. Taking a moment to pause and reflect can help us determine whether our reaction is truly appropriate for the present situation.

3) What’s the opposite emotion of what I’m feeling?

Thinking about an opposite emotion can sometimes help shift our emotional state, even if only slightly.

When we slow down, ask ourselves these questions, and work to better understand our emotions, we can regulate them more effectively.

Tell me—do you already practice any of these? Which do you think might be helpful to implement?

07/02/2024

Self acceptance doesn’t have to be all or nothing and it often starts small.

It’s easier to be mean to ourselves. It usually comes more naturally. Choosing to work on building a safe and loving relationship with ourselves is important work. Hard, but important.

My challenge for you today: make a list of things you appreciate about yourself. Big or small. Add it all.

Drop a 🫶🏻 if you’ll join me!

06/29/2024

✶ Self Care Saturday ✶

I encourage self care to be a consistent and daily application in your life. Not done only in emergencies or as a last minute resort.

For me personally and what I encourage all my clients to do is to look at the WHY of self care more than the WHAT.

It’s so important to intentionally take time to care for ourselves.

➠ Reminder: self care can look like anything; it doesn’t always have to be big things or things that take a lot of time and effort. It can be as simple as taking 5 minutes to yourself to breathe.

On Saturday, I like to come together and take a moment to document what you’ve done or will do for yourself, BECAUSE you find value in caring for yourself (aka: the why!).

How are you taking care of yourself today? ✨ Comment below or respond in my stories!

06/21/2024

Of course when hurt and trauma is involved, it doesn’t always seem this easy, but there is healing and growing in letting go. 💛

Address

Gilbert, AZ
85233

Telephone

+14802252744

Website

https://www.gardnercounselingllc.com/

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