Anchored in Hope Therapy

10/03/2025

 I’ve watched Gilmore Girls more times than I can count — both before and after becoming a therapist. And let me tell you, the relationship dynamics hit different when you're trained to notice them 😅

From Lorelai's fierce independence (and fear of vulnerability 👀), to Rory's people-pleasing tendencies, to Emily’s love expressed through control — each character is a masterclass in how we deal with stress, attachment, and communication.

As a fan and therapist, I put together this fun take on how the characters respond to stress. 💭✨

So… who do you relate to most when you're overwhelmed?

09/28/2025

Walking through my daughter’s dorm during Family weekend and was impressed by their display discussing managing stress. Students were encouraged to move their “frog” to lily pad supporting their options to manage and cope. I was not surprised to find her frog on the “napping” lily pad! She’s a busy go-getter and has identified the need for relaxation in order to reset.

So what do we know about stress? Let’s talk about it…

Stress is not always a bad thing. Stress is simply the body’s response to changes that create taxing demands. In daily life, we often use the term “stress” to describe negative experiences or situations. This leads many people to believe that all stress is bad for you, which is not true.

😊EUSTRESS🙂, or positive stress response, has the following characteristics:

Motivates and focuses energy
Is short-term
Is perceived as within our coping abilities
Feels exciting
Improves performance

⭐️Receiving a promotion or raise at work
⭐️Starting a new job
💛Marriage
⭐️Buying a home
⭐️Having a child
🔆Taking a vacation
⭐️Holiday seasons

As Dr. Brindusa Vanta, MD, says, “Eustress, also known as positive stress, acts as a powerful motivator, driving you to take on challenges. By embracing these stressors, you experience personal growth and resilience and a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.”

😬DISTRESS😩

In contrast, distress, or negative stress, has the following characteristics:

Causes anxiety or concern
Can be short- or long-term
Is perceived as outside of our coping abilities
Feels unpleasant
Decreases performance
Can lead to mental and physical problems

💔The death of a spouse
💔Filing for divorce
💔Losing contact with loved ones
💔The death of a family member
❤️‍🩹Hospitalization (of yourself or a family member)
❤️‍🩹Injury or illness (of yourself or a family member)
❤️‍🩹Being abused or neglected

Effectively managing distress requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates both self-help strategies and, when necessary, professional support. Understanding and employing various coping mechanisms can significantly improve your ability to navigate stressful situations, reduce the impact of distress, and enhance overall well-being Including:

🧘🏽‍♂️🙏Mindfulness and relaxation (This includes prayer and spiritual practices.)
🚵🏽‍♀️🏊🏼Physical activity (any movement is better than nothing!)
🥬🥑Healthy lifestyle choices and nutrition
🕰️Time management (can’t so It all!)
🧑🏾‍🍼👫Social support and interactions (fun and play Is Essential!)
🪡👨🏼‍🌾🪁Hobbies and interests ( creative expression, a must!)

09/10/2025

🧠💚 September is Su***de Prevention Month 💚🧠
This month, we shine a light on the importance of mental health, compassion, and connection. Su***de is preventable — and every conversation, check-in, and moment of kindness can make a difference.
You are not alone. Help is always available. Let’s break the stigma and support one another. 💬💛
📞 Need support? Call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7, confidential, and free.
***dePreventionMonth

09/10/2025

Immediate openings in PsychPros of KC Intensive Outpatient Program; a process oriented group therapy setting that provides 9 hours of support with peers and professional clinicians facilitating evidence based treatment.

Immediate support is available in our intensive outpatient programs for youth and adults. Call us at 816-272-5656.

08/29/2025

A few recommendations from my bookshelf!

07/04/2025

07/02/2025

Transitioning through menopause is a roller coaster, and there is tried and true science that can support you during this ride! My experience with HRT was life changing. If you find yourself experiencing perimenopause symptoms seek support.

Let’s talk about what’s really happening to women during menopause.

Yes, divorce rates rise.
But something even more heartbreaking does too:
Su***de rates.

Women in their 40s and 50s in the perimenopause and menopause years are experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and emotional disconnection. And too many suffer in silence.

We need to stop pretending this is just “aging” or “normal mood swings.”
We need to stop dismissing women with, “You’ll get through it.”

Because for many, it doesn’t feel survivable.
And that breaks my heart.

🧬 Hormones are powerful. When they shift especially progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol everything can feel off:

Deep, unpredictable sadness.

Panic or anxiety for no reason.

Feeling invisible or detached.

Sleep loss that triggers emotional collapse.

A loss of interest in life, love, or purpose.

Emotional overwhelm that doesn’t match the moment.

If you’ve felt any of this you are not weak. You are not crazy.
You are in a hormonally intense, neurochemical storm. And there is help.

As a hormone-focused provider, I want you to hear this:

🩺 There are real, testable, treatable reasons for what you’re feeling.
You don’t have to wait until things fall apart or until you do.

To the women who feel like they’re disappearing: I see you.
To the husbands, daughters, and friends: Ask the deeper questions. Stay present. Offer safety and support.

✨ This stage of life is not the end. It’s a transition.
And with the right care it can be the beginning of healing, strength, and renewal.

Please don’t wait. Please don’t give up.
Your life is still yours to liveand we want to help you reclaim it.

06/10/2025

06/04/2025

🏳️‍🌈HAPPY PRIDE 🏳️‍🌈

05/17/2025

Self-Perception:
This involves an individual's subjective understanding of their own characteristics, abilities, and worth. It's shaped by their experiences, beliefs, and internal thoughts.

Others' Perception:
This encompasses how other people view an individual, which is influenced by their own biases, experiences, and observations of the individual's behaviors and interactions.

The Perception Gap:
The difference between self-perception and others' perception can be significant. Individuals might overestimate their abilities or underestimate their weaknesses, while others might have a more accurate or different perspective.

✨Simply put, you are more beautiful to others than to self. Maybe this means you’re more beautiful than you think.

1.3M likes, 12.9K comments. “You are more beautiful than you think ♥️”

05/16/2025

My good friend Dr. Christine Iway Nedeau prescribes some of the best medicine! In honor of Mental Health Awareness let’s consider mental health, health. 🧠+🫀= ✅

If I could write you a prescription for stress, it would look like this...

Step outside, even for a moment.

Breathe slowly and deeply.

Let the sun touch your face.

Walk somewhere quiet—trees, birds, flowers, anything alive.

Watch the sky change at sunrise or sunset.

I know this doesn’t erase the weight you're carrying.
But these small, sacred pauses…
they help your heart catch up.
They give your nervous system a chance to reset.
They keep your engine from burning out.

You don’t have to do it all today.
Just start with one small breath. One step. One kind moment with nature.

05/08/2025

A little humor illustrating the psychological phenomenon some call the "spotlight effect". It’s the tendency to overestimate how much others are paying attention to you, especially when you are doing something embarrassing or making a mistake. Remember people don’t see the world from your perspective but rather their own!