Awaken Counseling

04/27/2026

Two Things Can Be True at the Same Time

One of the core ideas in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is this:

Two seemingly opposite things can both be true.

Instead of “either/or” thinking… we practice “both/and.”

This shift can soften emotional intensity, reduce black-and-white thinking, and help you respond with more flexibility and balance.

It might sound like:

• “I love my family and I need space from them sometimes.”
• “I’m grateful for my life and I’m still struggling.”
• “I want this relationship and I’m noticing things that don’t feel right.”
• “I’m doing my best and I still want to grow.”
• “I feel confident and I feel nervous.”

Holding both sides doesn’t make you inconsistent. It makes room for your full, complex experience.

When we stop forcing ourselves into one side or the other,
we create space for understanding, compassion, and change.

04/25/2026

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you can handle stress…
and other times, everything feels like too much?

That’s your window of tolerance.

When you’re within your window, you’re able to:
• Think clearly
• Feel your emotions without being overwhelmed
• Respond instead of react

When you move outside your window, you might experience:

⬆️ Hyperarousal (too much activation)
• Anxiety, panic, irritability
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling overwhelmed or on edge

⬇️ Hypoarousal (shutting down)
• Numbness or disconnection
• Low energy
• Feeling stuck or withdrawn

There’s nothing “wrong” with you. This is how our nervous system tries to protect us.

The goal isn’t to never leave your window…
but to notice when it happens and gently find your way back.

Support can look like:
• Grounding techniques
• Movement or rest
• Talking through what you’re experiencing
• Building awareness of your patterns

Over time, your window can expand, making it easier to navigate life’s stressors with more steadiness.

04/22/2026

In child-directed play therapy, toys become words and play becomes the conversation.

Children don’t always have the language to say:
“I feel anxious.”
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening around me.”

So instead… they show us.

Through play, children can:
• Express big feelings safely
• Work through experiences at their own pace
• Practice problem-solving and confidence
• Feel seen, heard, and understood without pressure

In this space, the child leads. There’s no “right” way to play. No need to perform.

Just a safe, supportive relationship where they can be exactly who they are.

Because when children feel truly understood… that’s where healing begins.

Supporting kids as they learn, grow, and express themselves in ways that feel natural to them. At Awaken Counseling, we love working with children through play, meeting them where they are and helping them feel safe, seen, and understood.

04/21/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month 💜💙

Stress doesn’t always show up loudly.
Sometimes it looks like:
• Feeling constantly on edge
• Trouble sleeping or relaxing
• Irritability or overwhelm
• A mind that won’t slow down

It’s easy to push through, ignore it, or tell yourself “I’m fine.”
But stress is your body’s way of asking for attention—not something to power past indefinitely.

What if, instead of fighting it, you got curious?

Try asking yourself:
• What has been weighing on me lately?
• Where do I feel this in my body?
• What do I need right now—even in a small way?

Support can look like:
• Taking intentional breaks
• Setting boundaries
• Talking things through with someone you trust
• Letting “good enough” be enough

Awareness is the first step—and even small shifts toward care can make a meaningful difference. At Awaken Counseling, we’re a team of therapists specializing in stress and anxiety, and we’re here to support you. You don’t have to navigate it all on your own.

04/18/2026

Returning to school after spring break: supporting your kids in the final stretch before summer ☀️

The weeks after spring break can feel surprisingly tough. The novelty of the school year has worn off, burnout can creep in, and summer starts to feel so close... but not quite here yet.

Here’s how to support your child through this in-between season:

✏️ Normalize the slump
It’s common for motivation to dip right now. Try: “A lot of kids feel this way toward the end of the year.”

✏️ Focus on effort over outcome
Celebrate showing up, trying, and small wins—not just grades or performance.

✏️Break things into bite-sized goals
Help them think in terms of “this week” or “just today” instead of the entire rest of the school year.

✏️Protect downtime
Kids are tired. Make space for rest, play, and unstructured time to recharge.

✏️ Add small moments of joy
A special snack, extra time outside, or a midweek treat can go a long way right now.

✏️ Stay connected
Keep check-ins low pressure: “What’s been the hardest part of your day lately?” or “What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?”

This stretch isn’t always easy, but it’s an opportunity to build perseverance, emotional awareness, and confidence.

04/15/2026

The Pressure to Be Productive All the Time

Somewhere along the way, rest started to feel like something we have to earn. Like if we’re not being productive, optimizing, or moving ahead, we’re falling behind.

But constantly pushing yourself isn’t sustainable… and it’s not actually what leads to feeling fulfilled.

◾You are allowed to rest without justifying it
◾You are allowed to have days that aren’t “productive”
◾You are allowed to not be in a constant state of self-improvement

Rest isn’t a reward.
It’s a need.

If rest doesn’t come naturally right now, here are a few gentle ways to start:

◾Schedule it (yes, really)
Block off time to do nothing or something low-effort. Treat it like it matters—because it does.

◾Lower the bar
Rest doesn’t have to mean a full day off. It can look like sitting outside, a slower morning, or going to bed earlier.

◾Notice what actually feels restorative
Not all “breaks” are restful. Pay attention to what leaves you feeling more like yourself.

◾Give your mind somewhere to land
Try music, a walk, or a simple, repetitive activity to help your body slow down.

◾Expect some discomfort at first
If you’re used to always being “on,” slowing down can feel unfamiliar—even a little wrong. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

04/13/2026

📚 Book of the Month: Month six!
This month, we’re highlighting how the power of how new and old thoughts influence comfort and pain in daily life.

Our April Book of the Month is Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen, recommended by Susan Fishman, LAPC. “This is a simple but profound book about understanding we are not our thoughts, and how to experience life with more ease and self-acceptance.”

About the Book:
Don’t Believe Everything You Think explores the idea that much of our psychological suffering comes not from external circumstances, but from the way we relate to our thoughts. Joseph Nguyen offers a simple yet powerful framework for recognizing thoughts as temporary mental events rather than absolute truth. Through relatable examples, parables, and practical exercises, the book helps readers quiet mental noise, reduce anxiety and self-doubt, and move toward a more peaceful, grounded way of being.

This month’s pick is a gentle but powerful reminder that not every thought we have deserves to be believed. 💭

If you often feel caught in cycles of overthinking, self-doubt, or anxiety, this book offers a refreshing perspective. It invites you to step back from your thoughts, rather than get pulled into them — creating space for more ease, clarity, and self-acceptance.

Simple, insightful, and deeply grounding, this is a great read for anyone looking to quiet the noise of the mind and reconnect with a calmer, more present version of themselves.

Sometimes, the shift isn’t changing your thoughts, it’s changing your relationship to them.

04/09/2026

What is pathological demand avoidance?

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is extreme resistance to perceived demands, most commonly seen in children with autism and ADHD.

It's normal for parents facing PDA in their children to become frustrated and double down on demands in hopes to achieve compliance. However, the data shows that an offer of cooperation works better than a demand regarding PDA. Here's an example applying the best strategies to reduce a PDA response in your child.

Example situation: You want your kid to clean their room.

Instead of a command such as "Clean up your room now",

1. Use indirect language by saying things such as "Could your room use some tidying today?" or "What parts of your room feel a bit messy right now?"

2. Offer choices such as "Would you like to put the books away first or the toys?"

3. Gamify the task by making it a race between siblings or a race against the clock or a timed playlist.

4. Prioritize emotional connection over compliance to foster cooperation. Check in on emotions and help your child regulate before reintroducing the task.

04/07/2026

One of our therapists recently attended a fundraiser for Bubs Run, supporting the Momento Foundation—an amazing nonprofit providing memory-making services and grief support for families facing terminal illness.

Grateful to continue strengthening our connection with pediatric hospice and palliative care in our community.🤍

04/06/2026

The Many Uses for a Timer

It’s not just for when we’re cooking dinner! Whether we struggle with worry or time management, timers are simple and accessible tools that can help.

We often encourage our clients to use timers to contain intrusive thoughts, gamify a boring task, or motivate themselves to get started when they feel stuck.

Ready, set, go!

04/02/2026

Our therapist, Megan Heller-Foley, LCSW, recently attended a special Llama Farm Grief Gathering supporting families experiencing profound loss.

Families participated in a gentle grief activity, somatic-based yoga, and a candle-lighting ceremony where they shared memories of their loved ones. We are honored to be part of meaningful moments like this that help families remember and honor those they love.

03/31/2026

If you’ve ever felt like your partner shuts down the moment a difficult conversation comes up, you might be in a relationship with someone who has an avoidant attachment style. It can feel lonely when you have the sense that no matter what you say or how you say it, you can’t quite reach them.

But avoidant partners aren’t actually cold or uncaring; they’ve just learned from early experiences that uncomfortable feelings are best avoided. And when they shut down, it’s the only way they know how to cope.

To effectively reach them, try a different approach. Read more in our latest blog about several real strategies that can help you communicate more effectively with an avoidant partner without losing yourself in the process.

If you’ve tried these strategies and still feel like you’re hitting a wall, couples therapy can be a game-changer. A skilled therapist can help you both