Courage Counseling LLC

02/23/2026

I do not work with children. Blackbird Psychotherapy is where I refer. Alicia is exceptional in her skills with kids.

At Blackbird Psychotherapy, our work is guided by a few core values: playfulness, collaboration, service, growth, respect, and curiosity. These values shape how we show up for children, families, and individuals every day. Therapy here is professional, intentional, and deeply human.

12/26/2025

It’s ok to release it now. Marie Kondo says that sometimes the job of a gift is to be a gift and once it has been given, its job is done. 🎁If it’s done its job it’s OK to let it go.
Did you get a fancy box of hot cocoa mix but you don’t like hot beverages? Did you get peanut brittle in the office gift exchange and you’re allergic to peanuts? Did you get that nougat candy and you have dentures? You don’t have to leave it in the back of your cupboard until it’s best by date has passed. You can give that to a food pantry now.
Did somebody very lovingly give you a pair of socks with your favorite cartoon character but the texture is all wrong and the seams bother your toes? That person does not want you to live with clutter and somebody else could be enjoying those socks now.
Did you get a beautiful warm fuzzy sweater but you haven’t worn a sweater in years because menopause? That sweater could be keeping somebody else warm now.
You don’t have to wait. If anything for any reason is something you won’t use you can let it go now. I don’t want you to be burdened with storing, and dusting, and organzing, and being responsible for things you can’t or don’t want to use. Do your friends and family want you to be burdened with clutter?
Do a google search to see where items can be donated in a way that is easy for you. I typically bring food donations to the Willie Street Co-op North because I’m going there anyway.

12/25/2025

Be gentle with yourself.

Very good advice from the wise J.S. Park

12/18/2025

I got rid of my letter jacket. I haven’t worn it since I was a junior in high school. It was still hard. Why was it not given away long ago? It probably helped that it was in storage in my parents’ closet and so I didn’t encounter it much and I never had to move it. I posted it on a free site. One woman commented that she wanted to tell me not to get rid of it. What pressure! I started to think about the burden of nostalgia. The burden of holding onto the past because I “should.” The burden of glorifying my youth. The burden of all the movies that have grandchildren cleaning out their grandparents attic and encountering the grandparents’ life souvenirs. But what was I supposed to do? Keep it in a dark closet until I died, and have my cousin burdened with putting it in my estate sale? A different woman on the free side commented that it would make her heart happy to wear it. Gosh, it felt good to give it away to somebody who is going to enjoy it. Because I did not enjoy it anymore. Good times were had when I was wearing it, but I haven’t worn it in a very long time. Now it is going to keep somebody else warm and bring her a little joy. Releasing objects gives somebody else the opportunity to enjoy them. Don’t burden yourself with objects you no longer like over some sort of thought of obligation. I have no regrets.

12/07/2025

You, exactly as you are right now, are enough.

If nobody else tells you today, I am glad you're here

12/05/2025

Wow this struck me- the idea that crying is “naughty.” What a terrible and scary message. Crying is neither naughty nor nice. Its neutral. Crying serves a purpose. Crying is an appropriate response.

Honestly, it's a very aggressive start to a song

11/25/2025

Reminders

11/25/2025

Take care of yourself. Spring will come. I promise.

11/21/2025

I recently released some items that were hard to let go of. It does no good to keep things in storage until I die when those items could be out in the world being used and enjoyed. Too much stuff is a burden. One of the items was a sparkly satin red purse that I used with a costume. I had good times with it. It’s going to go live with a little kiddo who will use it for dress up and that makes me so happy. No need to have it collect dust at my home when it can go on adventures.
Just like my mom says: Get rid of that while somebody can still use it.
I’m creative. If there comes a time when I could use a sparkly red purse I’ll figure out something out. Maybe something even better.
Happy decluttering.❤️

11/17/2025

You can make different choices now if you want to.

11/12/2025

⭐️🌈😁You knew that a therapist who specializes in hoarding disorder would have some clutter free gift suggestions, right? Many, many people do not need more stuff. 🧸🛍️⚾️🧂🧩🧼🕯️🎁It may just be more clutter. And respect people’s requests when they say “no gifts.”

Make a donation in their name to their favorite charity.
Gift cards or tickets 🎟 for experiences can be wonderful if the recipient is someone who won’t loose little things in clutter. Or invite the recipient to an experience and tell them ahead of time it will be your treat.
🚗💦Car wash cards can make a nice gift. Cards can be kept in the glove compartment.
❄️Offer a service like shoveling, or help decluttering, or a repair.
Online subscription services if they are tech savvy enough to enjoy a subscription.📺🎬
I am lucky 🍀 enough to be gifted a AAA membership every year.🚙
If the recipient does not hoard food, consumables such as fruit 🍐🍊🍍🍉 or a special meal may be enjoyed. Ask about dietary preferences and restrictions.
A state 🌳🦆🌅 park pass, and with their permission stick it in their windshield so it doesn’t get lost.
Also take into consideration if the gift you are giving requires effort. For example, to some people a plant would be a burden because they would have to take care of it m, and water it, and repot it from time to time.
Ask the person directly what they would enjoy or what they need.❤️
What are your favorite clutter free gifts?

11/06/2025

“Manageable” is underrated. Let’s get through the day. Somedays have pretty leaves, and nachos, and cats.