Jeannette Collier, APRN, Psych Nurse Practitioner

04/01/2025

How real is the law of attraction? I tell patients all the time that they will get more of what they think of the most. If you think negative, you will get negative. If you choose to focus on everything positive every day, you will get more of that. I know that's not easy. Some days, I had to focus on having air to breathe and be thankful my eyes opened that day. Depression is real.
Today, I woke up thinking, "I can't go very far lately without getting a job offer." I visited my P*P for an appointment today. We had a conversation, and I have incredible and exciting news—an opportunity that will set my family up for life. This is more than financial. True peace is what matters most! It will take some time to come to fruition, so there are no changes in my immediate future.
I heavily debated going back to nursing school at 36. I was a single mom, laid off for the 5th or 6th time....and spent the last $1000 I had to my name on immunizations to get into school. I had no science background because I almost failed out of high school, and I didn't think I would be smart enough to pass the entrance exam for nursing school. BUT I sure was going to try like hell! The school gave me a teas study guide; I learned everything in that freaking book, cover to cover, and passed that damn test the first time.
Again, I heavily debated going back to nursing school in my 40s. Will it be worth it? Am I doing the right thing? Do I want more student loans $$$$???? 😱 And most of all, is it worth sacrificing time with my kids?
If you are on the fence about something. DO IT!!! So many times, I have jumped off a cliff and didn't know if I would fly or land where I needed to be. Don't be fooled; there are struggles here. Painful, sometimes gut-wrenching decisions and paths I must take. Growth is not linear, but I don't focus on struggles. Don't let potential opportunities pass you by, and if you LOVE something, trying and failing is far better than living in regret.the.rest.of.your.life. I had a teacher once tell me that I wouldn't make much of myself, and I believed her. If I ever saw her again, I would tell her thanks. That lit the first of many fires under my butt. It is possible to start from the very bottom and make a successful life for yourself. 🫶

03/26/2025

What a terrible, unfathomable tragedy. ☹️ Many patients come to me with symptoms of a racing heart, palpitations, chest pains, shakiness, racing thoughts, and sleep problems; all signs of anxiety. My first question is, "how much caffeine are you drinking?" Caffeine can cause these issues and more. Caffeine is a stimulant and a stimulant is contraindicated in people with insomnia, anxiety and mood disorders like bipolar disorder because it can cause a manic episode. You know what else is contraindicated in patients with these disorders? Medications like Adderall and ritalin. Meds that treat ADHD. Combine these factors that all increase your blood pressure and heart rate and you have the perfect breeding ground to increase your risk of an embolism. A blot clot can happen at any age. Your risk is increased for stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and Deep vein thrombosis.Stimulants of any kind will wear out your cardiovascular system sooner than it should. If you have these symptoms, you need to wean yourself off of these substances now.if you need help with this, you can always make an appointment with me at www.psychotherapychicago.com

🔗: bit.ly/4hGVyRC

A 28-year-old “workout queen” who fueled her gym visits with caffeine supplements and energy drinks died of a heart attack — and her mother believes it’s because of the beverages.

📷️: Kennedy News and Media

03/25/2025

Our journey is about transformation. Hidden wounds, forgotten pain, and suppressed emotions rise to the surface demanding to be seen. The people in your life become a mirror reflecting everything within you that still needs healing 💗.~unknown

03/24/2025

Get rid of limiting belief systems - unconscious thoughts ingrained in our minds that alter our perception of ourselves. Resisting change is more tortuous than surrendering to the process. ❤️👍

03/23/2025

The one who looks outside dreams.
The one who looks inside awakes.
~Carl Jung

03/13/2025

It's getting wild around here! My business doubled last month. People need affordable and accessible mental health care, which I can provide, but at this rate, I will be booked up before you know it! Visit me at https://www.psychotherapychicago.com/about/ to schedule an appointment.

Don't see your insurance listed? Email me at jeannette@pac.clinic for self-pay rates.

At Psychotherapy Associates of Chicago a therapist’s ability to quickly connect with others is not something that’s taught, it’s a unique quality. Contact us today!

03/06/2025

02/07/2025

If you score 4 or higher on the adverse childhood event (ACE) assessment, you are a survivor of trauma. Many people view their trauma as something that broke them. Trauma builds you, and it should be considered a strength, you have an incredible resilience that only 10% of the population has. You survived that in childhood, and you are still here. You were exposed to a world you had to learn to survive in and are winning in life. Think of the story of The Three Little Pigs. Do you want to be made of sticks and hay or bricks? If you don't experience trauma in childhood, you will not be prepared to handle any gust of wind that comes your way as an adult, and believe me, there will be a lot of them. Congratulations. I know you, and I see you. Now, be proud of yourself. 👏

12/30/2024

This winter has been emotionally brutal on everyone. It's important to remember that you're not alone in this. I've had numerous patients come to me, expressing that their SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is particularly challenging this winter.

Tips to combat SAD:
Use a sum lamp; you can buy this on Amazon
Take a vitamin D supplement
Increase your exercise

The dreary winter days will make anyone depressed. We love the sun and being outside, not sitting in our houses, isolating. You would be amazed how much vitamin D affects your physical and emotional health. Almost all of us have a vitamin D deficiency. The recommended dose of vitamin D is 1,000 to 4,000 IU daily; most supplements come with calcium already in them, but check to make sure because you need calcium to absorb D. Do not take more than recommended; D absorbs in your fat and can build up in your system. It is possible to overdose; then you'll have another set of unpleasant symptoms.

Exercise is important in combating the winter blues. We are less active, and physical activity is important to increase circulation in our body and, most importantly, increase blood flow to your brain. Physical activity also releases happy chemicals. Don't let your brain get lazy during the winter!

While these strategies may seem small, their potential to significantly improve your psychological and emotional well-being is substantial. With these simple tools at your disposal, why not strive to feel your best?

12/20/2024

❤️👍

12/01/2024

The stages of development, particularly Erikson's, are crucial to determining a person's current state and are part of a full psychiatric assessment. When faced with a life crisis, there are always two paths you can take: positive or negative. Many life models can be used, but I use Erikson's stages of development because they provide a comprehensive understanding of life choices and resonate more with real-life scenarios, making us more informed about our development.

We are all faced with trauma and existential crises, whether we acknowledge it or not. The way we react is more important than the actual event. A good example of this is siblings who grew up in the same home and had the same issues; one ended up successful, the other not. They faced the same adversities and chose separate paths to react to them.

The most notable stage is Eriksen's stages of development: Stage 6, intimacy vs. isolation, and ages 18 to 40. Successfully passing this stage determines the course of the rest of your life. In this stage, the main focus is connecting with people and finding a life partner. This part is so crucial, whether married or dating; it is the roughest time in someone's life because this is where you learn to resolve conflict with others. Are you going to react in the most loving, caring way you can in a relationship? Or are you going to let childhood triggers and anger take over? During a breakup, are you going to walk away extremely hurt and never going to love again? Or will you use that situation as a life lesson and take what you learned into the next relationship? The power is in your hands to choose how you react and how you let it shape your future relationships. Are you going to live your life hurt and angry and self-loath because of everything bad that has happened to you, or are you going let what happened to you empower you?

This stage is where emotional maturity and patterns develop. Every question in this stage is, "Are you going to choose intimacy or isolation?" True emotional intimacy embodies love and being fully open and trusting in other people. Isolation is the dark side of this: never loving again, closing up shop, choosing to be alone because "everyone I've opened up to has hurt me." Understanding these patterns and the role of emotional maturity can make us more aware of our choices and their impact on our relationships.

Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love. Rumi

Erikson's theory outlines 8 stages of psychosocial development from infancy to late adulthood. At each stage, individuals face a conflict between two opposing states that shapes personality. Successfully resolving the conflicts leads to virtues like hope, will, purpose, and integrity. Failure leads....

11/25/2024

It's difficult to change your mindset from people pleaser to someone with strong boundaries. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be telling everyone no. Don't be afraid of losing people that don't treat you right, when your fear should be keeping those people in your life. There will be a clean out phase; a period in your life when you look around and it might feel lonely. But, you are just making space for higher quality people.

11/20/2024

Always stay hopeful. 🫶