Elizabeth Bracey, MA, LPC

02/13/2024

🎀

12/25/2023

🎄

10/27/2023

What Insta sees: a picture of a cute baby & and momma making time for herself.
Reality: Cute baby screamed her head off for hours before and after this photo. Mom worked a full day and has been up with baby since 4:30 AM, cleaned the house, and got off of the bike twice to console, the app went down, and momma finally ended the workout in tears.
It’s so easy to post the brief, happy moments with G but
Today was a HARD day.
It’s been a minute since I’ve posted or shared, but as a therapist it’s so important to share the raw side of being a parent and maternal mental health.
10 years in children’s mental health and development does not prepare you for mommin’ a colicky baby with reflux. If you asked me 3 months ago, I wouldn’t even know what a colicky baby was beyond ‘digestive issues’ & when we think we’re in the swing of things, we take ten steps back.
Bringing her places is hard, getting anything accomplished is hard, sleeping is inconsistent (if we’re lucky).
People ask what’s wrong with her, is she in pain, why is she so unhappy; try this, try that. Sometimes they think it’s crazy when I say that I’m thankful to be back to work, but it’s given a little sanity and identity during a rough and trying season of life.
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It’s not often I have to (or choose to) take my own advice I’ve given to others over the years.
Focusing on the little moments has been respite - our quiet 6:30 AM drive, even if it was a bad workout - it was a workout, making an effort to sit for dinner at night together even if it means one of us is up and down.
Two weeks back into the swing of balancing work, and I couldn’t feel more supported by our staff and students.
Extra thankful at the end of a hard day for the little things💛

08/08/2023

40 weeks + 6 days of torturing Mom, Gia Marie Biamonte decided to ditch her appointment to be induced and come on her own just to look exactly like Dad.

August 6th, 2023 • 5:29 PM • 7 lbs 11 oz • 21 in

& a full head of curly brown hair (the only mom trait)

06/13/2023

✨the time has come✨

I will no longer be seeing clients or taking on any new clients at this time.

As someone who is extremely career-oriented & finds it difficult to take a break or separate from work, it has become my #1 priority to put work to the wayside and place all of my energy into focusing on our family & soon-to-arrive new addition.

Setting clear, healthy boundaries should not be taken as disrespect. Boundaries are necessary to create space & energy for what takes precedence at this time; please honor that I will not be responding to emails, texts, or calls regarding counseling-related guidance, questions, or information. It is important to understand that I cannot ethically provide adequate services during this time.

I have provided ample referrals and resources prior to my leave and hope that you will utilize these resources and connect with referrals.

Please connect with the office, visit psychologytoday.com, or in case of an emergency, please contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you are in need of immediate assistance for your youth please contact NJ PerformCare (24/7) by dialing 1-877-652-7624.

Other Resources:
Warren County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 908-454-5141

Perform Care/Mobile Response: 1-877-652-7624

2nd Floor Youth Helpline (Call or text): 888-222-2228

National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: 988

thank you all for your patience & understanding🩷

05/01/2023

Mental Health Awareness Month has kicked off at WHHS💙
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Throughout the month of May we will be encouraging student, staff, and our community to take part in a 31 Day Self Care Challenge. I invite you to join too!
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One small moment to focus on yourself can make a BIG difference in your mental wellness🧠
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Today’s Challenge: Take the Pledge to be

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree/StigmaFree-Me/StigmaFree-Pledge

04/28/2023

💙

03/17/2023

S P O T • Y O U R • F E E L I N G S
🔴 🟠 🟡 🟢 🔵 🟣

01/27/2023

Friday night feelings ❤️‍🩹

A Terrible Thing Happened to help understand traumatic experiences, explore feelings associated with those experiences & introduce the therapy process.

Follow up activity - What’s under my volcano?🌋

01/21/2023

Big news of a little cannoli arriving July 2023 🤎

12/25/2022

12/23/2022

2022 treated us so well.
Wedding photos are here in perfect time to reminisce on the best year yet🤍

12/01/2022

Stocking Stuffer that teaches SEL now 20% off? ❄️
Yes, please! ➡️ link in bio

✨ Anger as a secondary emotion - why do we become angry?
✨ The challenging emotions & experiences we avoid
✨ Recognizing, acknowledging, and communicating ALL emotions effectively
✨ Reducing outbursts & behaviors
✨ Ways to reset
✨ Extension activities for parents & educators

11/24/2022

don’t forget to take a step back today;
soak in all that you have.

see what is h e r e instead of what i s n t
happy thanksgiving🍂

11/22/2022

r e f l e c t I o n.
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What do you think of when asked to reflect?
Do you reflect on memories of loved ones?
The day?
The present moment?
Self-reflection?
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This one word holds so many definitions. So many perspectives. As a therapist and school counselor, reflection is KEY to my practice, but I find that not enough people practice reflection.
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Whether reflecting on a moment in time, a moment of trauma, or the challenge of reflecting on oneself, I find reflection can often be a painful yet enlightening experience - one that so many people avoid. And I get it. Looking that deeply into pain or what’s perceived as deficits can be hard. However, there is no healing without reflection. How often do we complain and point out the negative behavior of those around us, but never reflect on our own behavior • responses • automatic negative thought processes?
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Stop and step back; acknowledge the impact of reflection and the fact that it is tremendous progress towards healing.
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I challenge you to this. Shift your mindset • shift your perspective • reset the human brain that is wired to point out what’s “wrong”. Practice grateful reflections this week.
*Keep in mind - you cannot reflect on what hasn’t happened. The future is outside of your control - as is the past, but you CAN control the way you respond to the past. When practicing reflection, ensure it is providing you a healthy & safe present moment.*
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Here are some prompts to get you started:
✨How did I take time for myself today?
✨What was my favorite part of the day?
✨What am I looking forward to?
✨What made you smile today?
✨3 things you love about yourself.
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Acknowledge • Reflect • Reset

11/09/2022

My yearly reminder for those grieving during the holidays ✨
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As everything around us is being filled with holiday cheer, music, events, and products (earlier than ever!) please remember that it’s absolutely OKAY to feel something other than joy. It is not uncommon for the traditions of the holidays to bring out a range of emotions in children and adults.
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If you’re noticing heightened behaviors with kiddos (or yourself) in the coming months, it could be connected to the emotions related to grief. This does not only apply to those grieving a loved one who has died, but also those grieving someone or something that is still living - experiencing a divorce, overcoming trauma, or some level of disruption to your ‘norm’.
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I recently read a post from an individual experiencing holiday grief that absolutely struck me as a therapist and as someone who experiences heightened emotions over the holidays:

“Grief on any day is difficult to manage, but there is something about grieving during the holidays that always gets to me. The holidays are supposed to be cheerful, warm, and welcoming times - times you share memories with your family and friends - and I want that, and I still try for that this holiday season. But my grief is always looming around. It looks like an empty seat at the dinner table, like a phone call or a visit that never comes. Simply put, the holidays just aren’t the same when you’re missing a loved one. Instead, I spend the days reminiscing on the holidays that once were. If only I knew that was our last together as a whole family. Holiday grief is a mixture of what once was but trying not to miss out on what is.”
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Powerful words & a reminder to be gentle with yourself and others.

11/06/2022

Sunday Gratitude✨
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Let’s reflect & drop your answers below ⬇️

11/03/2022

Hello November! We're in the depths of fall and coming together ❤️ bringing ends to begginings. As life gets crazy (because it always does), remember to slow down, give yourself a moment, take a deep breath and sit in gratitude 🙏 Happy November 🍂