Awaken Counseling

08/04/2025

🌸 Our therapist, Megan Heller-Foley, LCSW, had the privilege of meeting with Lanise Shortell to explore partnering together to offer grief support for families in pediatric hospice care.

We’re so grateful to Lanise for taking the time to visit our practice, share her expertise, and discuss ways we can work alongside her to support families during such tender moments.

Thank you, Lanise, for the important work you do and for allowing us to be part of the journey. 💛

08/03/2025

Why bad habits hurt more than we realize.

It’s easy to check out when life feels hard — scrolling endlessly, drinking too much, smoking, using substances, or retreating from people. In the moment, it feels like a relief. But over time, these habits quietly rob us of the very things that make life feel good: connection, movement, accomplishment, and even the natural “high” that comes from doing meaningful things.

Every time we choose the quick escape instead of showing up — for ourselves, for others, for our goals — we’re saying no to the experiences that build confidence, joy, and contentment.

Eventually, you may find yourself in a hole that feels hard to climb out of. But the good news? The next right choice is always available to you. You don’t have to be perfect — just keep choosing one good thing at a time. Those small, consistent choices add up and can lead you to a place where you feel proud, grounded, and content again.

You deserve to feel alive in your own life — and you can start today.

08/03/2025

✨ Could EMDR Therapy Help You Heal?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but research now shows it can help with so much more—including anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, and even chronic pain.
By helping the brain reprocess painful memories, EMDR can reduce emotional triggers, calm anxiety, and create lasting change.

💡 Want to learn what EMDR can treat and whether it’s right for you?

👉 Click the link to read our latest blog and find out more!

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or EMDR Therapy is a psychotherapy approach that has become famous in recent decades for its

07/31/2025

For many people living with ADHD, forgetfulness is one of the most frustrating symptoms. You might often forget appointments, misplace important items, or lose track of tasks throughout the day. It’s not about being careless; it’s how your brain is wired.

Read more about some tips to stay on track on our latest blog!

For many people living with ADHD, forgetfulness is one of the most frustrating symptoms. You might often forget appointments, misplace important items, or

07/30/2025

Here are a few of our team members meeting together for supervision 👥✨. This is one of the many ways we ensure we’re always providing the most effective, compassionate care possible.

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. From the very first phone call, we take a team-based approach to thoughtfully match clients with a therapist who best fits their needs. Our therapists continue to consult with one another to share insights, support each other, and grow together 🌱.

With hundreds of years of combined experience across our team, we believe in the power of shared knowledge to offer each client the best care possible 🌟.

07/28/2025

We’re excited to share our refreshed logo and updated branding.

Our practice has grown to include 19 dedicated therapists, each one specializing in stress and anxiety, while also bringing unique expertise in additional areas like trauma, OCD, life transitions, and more.

At Awaken, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of evidence-based care. Our team regularly engages in continuing education, collaborative supervision, and consultations with outside experts — all to ensure we’re providing the highest level of care to every client we serve.

Special thanks to and Chantelle at Annatto for keeping our brand fresh and aligned with who we are 💫

07/24/2025

Scaffolding is a fantastic strategy for managing ADHD and improving executive function! 🏗️ It’s all about starting small and gradually building up your efforts.

For example, if you want to clean your space, start with just 15 minutes a day. Once that feels manageable and you’re consistent, add another 10 or 15 minutes. This way, you avoid feeling overwhelmed, which can lead to shutting down or giving up entirely.

Similarly, if you’re aiming to exercise, begin with 20 minutes. Once that’s part of your routine, you can increase it as you feel comfortable. This step-by-step approach not only helps you make progress but also boosts your confidence and motivation.

Remember, small steps lead to big changes! 🌟

07/22/2025

Bringing a baby into the world can be a joyful, life-changing experience. But for many new parents, especially mothers, it can also bring unexpected emotional and psychological challenges. One condition that often goes unnoticed and misunderstood is postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Postpartum OCD remains less commonly discussed than postpartum depression, leaving many new parents feeling confused, frightened, or ashamed of their experiences. Let’s explore how we define postpartum OCD, how it differs from other perinatal mental health conditions, and how to recognize the signs so you can get help.

Postpartum OCD remains less commonly discussed than postpartum depression, leaving many new parents feeling confused, frightened, or ashamed of their

07/21/2025

Just a reminder that getting your body moving can really boost your mood. 🏃‍♀️

A study from JAMA Psychiatry found that just 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week can help reduce anxiety and depression by 26%. That’s pretty amazing!

Finding time for exercise can be tough, so here’s a simple tip: set a small goal of 30 minutes a day. Break it up into smaller chunks! Try setting reminders on your phone for 30 minutes each day. For example, do a 10-minute walk in the morning, 10 minutes of stretching after lunch, and 10 minutes of playing basketball with your child after dinner.

Every little bit helps! 💪

07/18/2025

When Does Anxiety Become a Problem?

Feeling anxious is a normal part of life. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or starts interfering with your daily life, it might be more than just "normal worry." Here are some signs your anxiety could be a disorder:

- Constant, excessive worry that's hard to control—even about small or unlikely things.
- Physical symptoms like a racing heart, tension, headaches, or stomach issues that happen often.
- Avoiding situations because of fear, even when they’re important or necessary.
- Sleep problems caused by anxious thoughts or restlessness.
- Intrusive thoughts that feel impossible to stop or ignore.
- Difficulty concentrating because your mind feels "stuck" in worry.

Anxiety disorders are treatable. Therapy, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, medication can help you regain control.

If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

07/16/2025

🌧️ When you're feeling really low or distressed...

It can be so hard to see your way forward. But here's something important to remember: if you can sit with those feelings without trying to fight or run from them, they will eventually pass. Emotions, even the heavy ones, are not permanent.

Sometimes, the best you can do is just keep going—one small step at a time. 🐾
Even if it's just getting out of bed, taking a shower, or stepping outside for a breath of air—that counts. Each step forward matters.

More often than not, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you'll find yourself in a better emotional space than you thought possible.

07/15/2025

🌙 💤 Let’s Talk About Sleep!

This past week, Danielle Hajdini, LCSW, led an incredible webinar on sleep hygiene — sharing practical tips to help improve your sleep and overall well-being.

Some of her key takeaways:
✨ Keep a consistent rhythm — try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. On weekends, let yourself shift no more than about an hour.
✨ Remember that teens have a different biological clock and naturally tend to fall asleep and wake up later.
✨ Magnesium can be a helpful supplement before bedtime — and a surprisingly high percentage of people are deficient in it.
✨ Managing stress is a crucial part of good sleep. If you’re experiencing frequent nightmares, it might be a sign that stress needs to be addressed.

Better sleep starts with small, intentional steps — and it can have a huge impact on your mood, focus, and health.