http://www.meganpitsiostherapy.com/

Megan Pitsios, LCSW, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA (2026)

01/26/2022

Self -compassion means giving ourselves the same kindness we would give a close friend or our child.
It means we acknowledge our suffering rather than discounting it or bypassing.
During the last two years we have been pushed and stretched in many new ways, leaving many of us overwhelmed, depleted, or numb. Tuning into our needs and offering ourselves compassion can help us restore and heal.
I’m excited to collaborate again with The MotherWell Movement] to offer a self-compassion workshop Feb 5!
We are also discussing self-compassion this Friday at 2:30pm on Instagram live, so please join us!
Reach out to me or Bree The MotherWell Movement] with any questions!

01/19/2021

The shift into motherhood requires us to change in so many ways: our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and our identity.

We are learning new skills and ways of relating to ourselves and the world.

Ambivalence and conflicting emotions are natural aspects of change, and yet many moms feel blind sided by the discomfort that this brings.

Join us this Saturday at 9am as we discuss & normalize this experience of Matrescence.

for details!

09/13/2020

This year has been stressful, am I right?

And during times of stress, it’s not unusual to become more reactive & less patient, as we operate in survival mode.

Things that brought us joy or rest in the past may not be working or even an option right now. And if we tune in, we’ll likely notice that our inner dialogue has become more critical, in an attempt to control our environment.

This can quickly lead to overwhelm and burnout. So how can we help ourselves be our best in times of mounting stress?

We begin by simply noticing. When you feel your mood shift suddenly, ask yourself, “What was just going through my mind?”

How am I relating to myself right now? Would I speak this way to a close friend?

When we show ourselves compassion, we first acknowledge that we are struggling or in pain. We pause & accept that this is not easy, rather than pretending it is not happening. This a powerful first step in nurturing ourselves.

Next, we remind ourselves that we are not alone in our suffering. Everyone struggles at times and pain is a given.

Finally, we give ourselves the same kindness we would give someone else..
We speak to ourselves with love and patience, as we would to anyone else we care about.

These simple strategies allow us to the shift out of survival mode and into flexibility.

"Self-compassionate people recognize that being imperfect, failing, and experiencing life difficulties is inevitable, so they tend to be gentle with themselves when confronted with painful experiences rather than getting angry when life falls short of set ideals. People cannot always be or get exactly what they want." Kristen Neff

Does this resonate with you? Will you try it this week?

Learn more at Self-compassion.org

09/13/2020

2020 has not been easy. If you’re feeling stretched- you’re not alone!

Join us next Saturday morning at 9am as we make space and normalize all the feelings!
Details are available at:

Hope to see you there!

08/29/2020

Does the pandemic feel like postpartum depression to you?
This article discuss how familiar this experience can be for survivors of postpartum depression and anxiety, and some ways to cope.
Please give it a read!

04/04/2020

Allowing myself to feeling all the feelings, and to express them in ways that recharge me.
What is filling your cup right now?
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03/30/2020

In times of uncertainty and stress, we can feel our tensions rise which can result in acting in ways we’d rather not.
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It’s natural to experience this shift into flight or fight mode and to become more reactive than usual.
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Taking a “self-compassion break” is a great way to pause, check in with yourself, and get present, so that you can you can respond to this situation in ways that align with your values.
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This simple exercise below takes just a few moments— give it a try!
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Self-Compassion Break by Kristin Neff
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Think of a situation in your life that is difficult, that is causing you stress. Call the situation to mind, and see if you can actually feel the stress and emotional discomfort in your body.
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Now, say to yourself:
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1. This is a moment of suffering
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That’s mindfulness. Other options include:
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This hurts.
Ouch.
This is stress.
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2. Suffering is a part of life
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That’s common humanity. Other options include:
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Other people feel this way.
I’m not alone.
We all struggle in our lives.
Now, put your hands over your heart, feel the warmth of your hands and the gentle touch of your hands on your chest. Or adopt the soothing touch you discovered felt right for you.
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Say to yourself:
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3. May I be kind to myself
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You can also ask yourself, “What do I need to hear right now to express kindness to myself?” Is there a phrase that speaks to you in your particular situation, such as:
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May I give myself the compassion that I need
May I learn to accept myself as I am
May I forgive myself
May I be strong.
May I be patient
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This practice can be used any time of day or night, and will help you remember to evoke the three aspects of self-compassion when you need it most.
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https://self-compassion.org/exercise-2-self-compassion-break/
I’d love to hear if you use this or something like it, and how it works for you!
-19

03/25/2020

Reposting these beautiful words by who reminds us that it’s ok to cry and to let your emotions in, even though they may be painful. They are like the weather and will change. You will be left whole.
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💛
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An excerpt from the original post below—
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A few weeks ago someone reached out to me who has walked a similar path as I am now, she said, ”don't be afraid to let yourself cry, I spent so much time keeping it together that I didn't give myself the room to cry like I should have, what you're doing is hard, and it's ok to cry.” I thought I understood what she was saying then, but I didn't, not fully. You see I feel guilty, guilty because this is hard, guilty because he’s here and some husbands are not, guilty because I prayed to God to let him stay and he did.
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But tonight as I sat in bed after putting our youngest to sleep I began to cry, you know that silent cry where you can hardly breathe because it hurts so deep, and instead of snapping myself back together I just cried, letting it wash over me like the weather, until there were no tears left. ...and just like the weather, my sorrow passed right through me and still left me whole.
~
I can still find the joy,
I can still see the light,
I can still marvel at the brilliance of the stars,
I will still wake up tomorrow morning with a smile on my face and take care of my family the best way I know-how.
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because you know what?..it's just weather.
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03/19/2020

These last few weeks have been hard. And for many of us, the newness and uncertainty of this experience leaves us struggling to make use of the tools we typically find soothing.
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As we try to navigate this challenging time, we may feel our anxieties rise. We may feel taxed in ways we aren’t comfortable with, and we may find it hard to sit in this unknown.
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During this period of uncertainty, I encourage you to remind yourself, that you have the strength to manage this. You have the wisdom to know what is necessary right now. Tap into that inner wisdom with reflection and self-compassion.
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I love Tara Brach’s RAIN Meditation; it’s a short 10 minute intentional reflection to help you reflect and draw out what you are searching for.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/IqBCWO5UNQo

May you be well as you navigate this time of uncertainty.
Full Quote:
All you need is already within you, only you must approach your self with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors. Your constant flight from pain and search for pleasure is a sign of love you bear for your self, all I plead with you is this: make love of your self perfect. Deny yourself nothing -- glue your self infinity and eternity and discover that you do not need them; you are beyond.” Nisargadatta Maharaj

12/24/2019

Being home for the holidays is a rich and complex experience for me. I feel so much joy & comfort being in my childhood home, sharing memories with my own children, while feeling the absence of my mother so intensely.

I am reminded again how our emotions are not simply one thing or another, and how often we must allow space for both joy and suffering at the same time.
The best I can do is allow the feelings, and accept that pain is other side of love, and my grief is part of this rich and meaningful relationship with my loved one.
Sending you love, courage, and openness as you move through the holiday season.
Take time for yourself when needed, and remember their are no bad feelings- only uncomfortable ones ❤️.
Happy Holidays!
📸 this photo is of my parents cake topper from their wedding. They would have been married 53 yrs.

12/08/2019

Want to reduce stress, anxiety, and overwhelm? Maybe even power struggles with you child?
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Here are five tips for incorporating self-care practices into your daily life. For details on each of these steps- check out my latest blog post.
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Click the link in my profile or use the address below!
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https://www.meganpitsiostherapy.com/blog
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As always, instagram is not a substitute for therapy, so you are ready to dig a little deeper, call to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if therapy is right for you!
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12/06/2019

Sleep is critical to our mental and physical well being, but when you are new parent sleep is often in short supply. So how do you get through this period with your sanity and relationship intact?
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When I had my first child, I expected some sleep loss, but I had no idea how much or for how long. My husband and I hadn’t discussed how we would handle night feedings, and just assumed we’d figure it out.
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I was breastfeeding, so we assumed I’d be doing most of the feedings. In the beginning, my husband tried to help, but struggled to know what to do and was often in the way.
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After several weeks of waking up every 2-3 hours, I was overwhelmed and exhausted, and it wasn’t until that point that we worked out a plan to help us work together.
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There is no magic formula or right way to get through this difficult time, but talking with your partner and asking for help is a great place to start. Conversations like this can be highly emotional, so try to schedule it at time in the day when you are at your best. Let your partner know where they can help, or if you don’t know, ask them to help you figure it out.
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You deserve to feel better and improving your sleep is an essential first step.
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If you need help figuring out how to talk to your partner or creating a support plan, a therapist can help. Call or DM me for a free 15 minute consult to discuss ways to help you feel better.
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🎨:
Image reposted from an article

Megan Pitsios, LCSW

01/26/2022

01/19/2021

09/13/2020

09/13/2020

08/29/2020

04/04/2020

03/30/2020

03/25/2020

03/19/2020

12/24/2019

12/08/2019

12/06/2019

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