Samantha Bickham, LMHC, EMDR Therapist

05/01/2026

Excited to share that I was recently featured in an article on Moms Who Think discussing how to talk to your daughter about menstruation without creating shame.

The article highlights how conversations around periods have historically been shaped by generational discomfort and stigma, and how parents today have the opportunity to approach these discussions in a more open, supportive, and normalized way.

I share insights on the importance of early, ongoing conversations, the impact of language and tone, and how creating a safe, nonjudgmental space at home can help children feel more confident and supported as they navigate these changes.

At Calming Tides Counseling, we are passionate about supporting parents in having these meaningful conversations in ways that foster emotional safety, body awareness, and connection.

Grateful to contribute to this important topic and continue supporting families in these everyday, impactful moments 🩵

Period shame is passed down through generations, but that doesn't mean moms can't be cycle breakers for their daughters.

04/16/2026

One of our clinicians, Casie Muse, Marriage & Family Therapist that specializes in substance abuse, works closely with college students and young adults and sees firsthand how alcohol use can begin to impact mental health in ways that often go unnoticed at first.

What might start as a way to cope, socialize, or unwind can slowly turn into increased anxiety, low mood, disrupted sleep, and feeling more overwhelmed overall.

Many of the students she works with share that they didn’t realize how much it was affecting them until they began to take a closer look.

This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness, support, and understanding what your mind and body may be trying to communicate.

If you’re navigating this yourself, or supporting someone who is, you’re not alone. 🩵

We put together a blog to help bring more clarity to this topic and offer guidance on what to look for and when to seek support.

We invite you to read and share with anyone who might benefit.

Learn how alcohol use impacts mental health in college students and young adults, including links to anxiety and depression, social influences, and when to seek support for yourself or a loved one.

03/31/2026

Anxiety doesn’t always look the same for everyone.

For some people, it shows up mostly in social situations. For others, it feels more constant and harder to pinpoint.

Understanding the difference can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and find the right kind of support.

In this blog, we talk through social anxiety vs generalized anxiety, share simple coping strategies, and explore ways to start feeling a little more in control.

If this resonates with you or someone you care about, we hope it feels helpful 💛

Learn the difference between social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder, common triggers, and effective coping strategies. Discover how EMDR therapy can help reduce anxiety, improve confidence, and support lasting emotional regulation.

03/15/2026

Spending some time outside the therapy room together 🐶

At Calming Tides Counseling, we believe connection and team culture matter. Taking time to laugh, move, and do something fun together helps us show up more grounded for ourselves and the people we work with.

And honestly… if puppy yoga is an option, we’re saying yes every time.

03/15/2026

Substance use often starts as a coping tool.

For many people it begins as a way to quiet anxiety, numb emotional pain, or get a break from overwhelming thoughts.

Over time the thing that once felt like relief can slowly become something that feels harder to control.

Understanding the pain underneath the coping is often where real healing begins.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, support is available and you do not have to face it alone.

03/14/2026

Sometimes the things we judge ourselves for are actually trauma responses.

Overthinking everything. Feeling on edge when nothing is wrong. Shutting down when things get emotional. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

These patterns are often your nervous system trying to protect you based on what it has learned before.

The hopeful part is that our brains are capable of change. Through something called neuroplasticity, the brain can form new pathways and learn safety again. With the right support, those automatic reactions can start to soften over time.

Healing does not mean your past disappears. It means your nervous system no longer has to live there.

03/12/2026

Many people living with chronic pain have heard things like “your tests are normal,” “maybe it’s just stress,” or “you just need to push through it.”

Over time, those kinds of messages can make people question their own bodies and experiences.

Finding the right professional can make a meaningful difference. Working with someone who understands the complexity of chronic pain and creates a space where you feel believed, supported, and safe to explore what your body is experiencing can be an important part of the healing process.

Approaches that consider the role of the nervous system and the mind–body connection can help people begin to understand their pain in new ways and build tools for managing it.

If you’re living with chronic pain, you deserve care that listens, understands, and supports your healing.

03/10/2026

Living with chronic pain can feel really lonely.

In this short video, Jenelle Coolidge shares a little about her own experience with chronic pain and how Pain Reprocessing Therapy has helped shape the way she supports clients.

For many people, simply being believed and understood can be the first step toward healing. Jenelle brings both compassion and lived insight into this work, and it’s something our clients deeply appreciate.

If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain and looking for support, we’d love to help.

You can connect with Jenelle and learn more about working with us through the link in our bio.

03/02/2026

As testing season approaches for students across Florida, many are starting to feel the pressure build.

Our clinicians at Calming Tides, frequently hear about this struggle from the adolescents and college students they work with.

💭 Racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, fear of disappointing others, and that overwhelming feeling of your mind going blank during an exam are more common than many realize.

In therapy, we support students by helping them understand their triggers, build practical coping strategies, regulate their nervous systems, and strengthen confidence before high-pressure situations.

The good news is that test anxiety is manageable with the right awareness and tools.

We recently shared a blog that breaks down common triggers behind test anxiety and practical strategies to help students feel more prepared, confident, and in control during exams.

If you work with students, have a child navigating academic pressure, or remember what that stress felt like yourself, this may be a helpful resource.
Feel free to read and share with anyone who might benefit.

Learn what causes test anxiety, how to identify personal triggers, and practical strategies to manage exam stress. Discover tools to build confidence, improve performance, and feel more in control during high-pressure academic situations.

02/26/2026

As clinicians, we know how powerful a strong therapeutic connection can be.

The relationship between client and therapist truly matters and often plays a significant role in the progress someone makes in therapy.

That’s why we believe it’s so important for people seeking therapy to feel prepared and informed.

Knowing what to look for, how to gather referrals, and what to expect during a consultation can make the process feel much less overwhelming.

We recently put together a blog on how to find the right therapist and what to expect along the way.

If you or someone in your network is considering therapy, we hope this feels helpful. 🩵

What do you think matters most when choosing a therapist?

Feel free to take a look and share with anyone who might benefit.

Learn how to find the right therapist, where to get trusted referrals, how to make your decision, and what to expect during a therapy consultation so you can feel confident taking the next step.

02/25/2026

It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week 🦋

Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They impact people of all ages, genders, body sizes, and backgrounds — even though harmful stereotypes still suggest otherwise.

Too often, people are overlooked because they don’t “look” sick enough. Weight stigma, cultural bias, and misinformation delay support and keep many struggling in silence.

Awareness matters because early support changes outcomes. Recovery is possible, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling, our team at Calming Tides Counseling is here to help. You can connect with us through the link in our bio to take the first step toward support.