Arrows Counseling Center

02/22/2026

SUNDAY SKILL ... finding your way back to calm ... The Shape of States

NERVOUS SYSTEM INSIGHT
Sculptors bring moments to life by shaping them in three dimensions. In the same way, when we use our body to “shape” an emotional or nervous system state, we can better understand it through physical expression.

INVITATION
Start by thinking of a ventral (calm, connected, safe) state. Adjust your posture, facial expression, and the position of your arms, legs, and head until your body reflects that state.
Repeat this process for sympathetic (activated, energized) and dorsal (shut down, withdrawn) states. Explore both their regulated and survival forms.
Notice the different shapes your body naturally takes in each state. Allow yourself to experiment with variations and subtle differences.
Pay attention to how your body moves between states. Create a sequence of “body sculptures” that show the gradual shifts as you transition from one state to another.

HELPFUL PRACTICE
You can also use a wooden artist mannequin. Move and adjust the mannequin to represent different states and to explore how movement happens between them.

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

Come out for a fun night and show your support.

🏀 The Razors vs. EZG Manufacturing: This Friday!

The season is in full swing, and the Morgan Razors are back on their home court this Friday night! This time, they’re taking on the hardworking crew from EZG Manufacturing.

We want to see those bleachers at the Junior High packed to the rafters. Come out and show your support for our athletes as they prove once again that Inclusion is Freedom. Bring your energy, bring your friends, and let's show EZG what Razors Pride is all about!

📍 Where: Morgan Junior High School

🕕 When: Friday, Feb 20 @ 6:00 PM

🏷️ Who: EZG Manufacturing

02/15/2026

SUNDAY SKILL ... finding your way back to calm - The Three Stories Your Body Tells

NERVOUS SYSTEM INSIGHT
At any moment, your body is telling a story about what’s happening around you. That story shapes how you think, how you feel, and how you react.
Your nervous system has a few different “modes,” and each one tells the story in a different way. One mode is focused on protection and urgency, another pulls you inward and shuts things down, and another helps you feel calm, connected, and grounded. The story that feels loudest in your mind usually comes from whichever mode your body is in at the time.

INVITATION:
Think of a small, everyday situation that feels a little challenging but doesn’t truly threaten your safety — maybe running late, a miscommunication, or an unexpected change.
How does this situation sound when your body is in a “on edge” or protective mode? What story does your mind tell from that place?
Now imagine the same situation when your body feels shut down, heavy, or withdrawn.
What is the story from this lower-energy place?
Next, picture yourself feeling settled, supported, and present.
From this calmer place, how does the story change? What feels different when you’re no longer just trying to get through it?
Look back at all three stories and notice what stands out to you.
What do you learn about yourself from each one?

HELPFULPRACTICE:
This practice helps you see that your thoughts and reactions aren’t random — they’re shaped by how safe or stressed your body feels in the moment. By slowing down and listening to these different stories, you can begin to recognize patterns and gently guide yourself back to a more grounded, steady place.

02/09/2026

Let's show our love and support 💚 Fill the stands 🏀

Clear your calendars!🏀

The Morgan Razors are back on the hardwood at Morgan Junior High School starting February 13th. This season is going to be bigger than ever as our team prepares to take on at least 8 different community teams in a battle for local bragging rights.

This isn't just a game—it’s a celebration of talent, teamwork and the fact that Inclusion is Freedom. We want the bleachers packed with fans to cheer on the Razors as they kick off the season.

📍 Where: Morgan Junior High School
🗓️ When: February 13th (Season Opener!)

02/08/2026

SUNDAY SKILL ... Finding your way back to calm - Moving Through Our Nervous System

Nervous system insight:

Our nervous system is always moving and adjusting. Throughout the day, we naturally shift between feeling calm and connected, feeling energized or on edge, and feeling shut down or exhausted. These shifts are normal. By using gentle movement, we can begin to notice these different states in our body and practice moving between them with more awareness and flexibility. Movement becomes a way to listen to what our body is doing and respond with curiosity instead of judgment.

Exploring Between States
Try creating a simple movement that represents each state your body experiences: • calm, safe, and connected
• activated, alert, or stressed
• slowed down, heavy, or withdrawn
Notice what it feels like to move from one state to another. You might gently go back and forth between calm and energized, or between energized and tired. You can also explore what it feels like to move through all of them—starting calm, moving into activation, dropping into shutdown, and then slowly finding your way back to calm again.

Invitation - Exploring Within a State:
Spend time staying in one state at a time. Notice how your movement shifts as you first enter that state compared to when you are fully in it. Pay attention to the different sensations, energy levels, and emotions that show up. Even within stress or shutdown, there are many different “flavors,” just as calm and connection can look and feel different in the body.

Helpful practice:
You don’t have to physically move if that doesn’t feel right. You can imagine the movement instead. Sometimes even visualizing movement can change how your body feels. Simply notice what happens without trying to fix anything.

02/02/2026

SUNDAY SKILL ... Finding your way back to calm - Flavor of the Day

NERVOUS SYSTEM INSIGHT
When we look back on our day through the lens of the nervous system, we can notice moments of ventral ( calm ), sympathetic ( fight or flight ), and dorsal ( shut down ) states. The overall “feel” or flavor of the day is shaped by how these states show up and interact with one another.

INVITATION
Try using a pie chart to represent the flavor of your day. Choose three colors and divide a circle into sections for ventral, sympathetic, and dorsal. Adjust the size of each section to reflect how much time your nervous system spent in each state. How large is each slice? Once your chart is divided, add words, symbols, shapes, or additional colors inside each section to capture what that state felt like for you.

HELPFUL PRACTICE
The end of the day can be a helpful time to reflect on how your nervous system moved through different states as you navigated daily life. Keeping a series of these charts can help you notice patterns in your autonomic experiences over time.

02/01/2026

At the beginning of December, our beloved fur baby, W***y crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully in his sleep, just weeks shy of his 19th birthday.

Losing him was heartbreaking, and at the same time, we felt deep gratitude for the many years we were blessed to share with him. Like many families, our pets are not “just animals” — they are companions, sources of comfort, and members of our family.

Experiencing W***y’s passing reminded us how profound and often isolating pet grief can be. Many people are surprised by the intensity of their emotions and unsure where to turn for support, especially since pet loss is not always openly acknowledged or discussed.

Today is baby W***y's birthday and in honor of him, and in response to this very real need, Arrows Counseling Center is offering a free virtual Pet Grief Support Group. This group is a compassionate, peer-supported space for individuals who are grieving the loss of a pet to connect, share, and feel understood.

While there is no cost to attend, registration is required so I can send you the virtual meeting link. Please see the flyer for group details and registration information.

You are not alone in your grief, and your loss matters. 🐾🌈