Imagine your capacity, Counseling and Consulting, LLC

01/14/2026

Excited to offer this new group starting in February!

01/13/2026

Representation matters.

So many of you tagged me in a post this morning, asking if I’d seen the new Barbie doll (which is not a sentence I’d ever expect to write.) l But as soon as I saw it, I knew why. And I couldn’t have been more delighted.

The text read, “Barbie and ASAN (The Autistic Self Advocacy Network) are proud to partner on the first-ever autistic Barbie, designed with connection and understanding at the core.​“

When I showed the doll to my daughter, Brooke, who is autistic, she took in the long, dark hair, hanging loose, like her own. I pointed out the beautiful, golden brown eyes just like hers, their gaze set ever so slightly to the side. I showed her the a-line purple dress that looks as though it came straight from her closet. And the flats, because just like her, autistic Barbie isn’t comfortable in heels.

And of course the pink, noise canceling headphones exactly like the ones she wears when the world overwhelms.

I asked if she might like to get one of the dolls. She’s 22 and not a big Barbie gal, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But her answer said it all…

“I will call her Brooke.”

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the folks at Mattel and ASAN for enabling my daughter to see herself in a doll, and for helping children and adults everywhere to celebrate the glorious diversity of the human condition.

{image is a side by side of two photos: one of Barbie and one of Brooke, looking strikingly similar.}

01/13/2026

01/12/2026

“Engagement” is a neurological state. When young children’s brains are highly engaged, i.e., they are processing information and ideas, accompanied by heightened emotion, they are learning more. Active play readily puts young children’s brains in that state.

Seek engagement and take the leap of faith that learning will follow. Let young children play. Step back and trust their brains to do what they do best: learn.

01/09/2026

When we move our bodies, blood flow increases to the prefrontal cortex- the part of the brain that houses many of our executive functions like planning, emotional regulation, response inhibition, and working memory. Research has shown that physical activity can improve focus and help lower stress hormones, making it easier to think clearly and follow through on tasks.

Pair that movement with mindful attention to your environment- the crunch of snow, your breath in the cold air- and you’re giving your brain a powerful reset.

So if things feel foggy or overwhelmed today, try a five-minute walk. Notice one or two things around you. Then notice how you feel afterward. ❤️

You might be surprised how much your wonderful brain appreciates the change.

01/07/2026

Kids do need to hear no.
Boundaries matter. Waiting matters.

But behavior change doesn’t happen with a stop sign alone.
It happens when we give a roadmap — clear expectations, skills, and a better way forward.

“No” sets the limit.
Teaching shows the way.

01/02/2026

Stop paying for debts you don’t owe 💸🩶

12/24/2025

We are thrilled to announce that as of January 1, we will have Occupational Therapy service packages available.

Packages include:

Functional Sensory Assessments
Environmental Assessments for School, Work, or Home
Short -Term Individual Skill Development in Emotional Regulation

For more information, please contact:

info@icc-wi.org

12/23/2025

Every child learns differently.
Every child thinks differently.
And brilliance shows up in creativity, curiosity, empathy, problem-solving, and passion—not just numbers on a score sheet.

If your child doesn’t fit the mold, it’s not a flaw.
It’s a sign they were built for something uniquely theirs. 💛

12/22/2025

I've been rereading about boundaries lately and it's been so helpful 💜

Art by doodles