Stacie Sebastian, Licensed Professional Counselor

11/07/2023

Even when we feel overwhelmed by worry, there's a need that's driving it. Figuring out what that need is will allow us to handle anxiety in a manner that makes us feel better.

You can make changes by taking a step back from your worries.

11/04/2023

It can be hard to ask for help if we don't think that it's right to share burdens or that our own time is valuable. But finding more efficient ways of dealing with problems is essential for preserving our energy for the things and people who really need us.

How to let yourself get things done the easier way.

11/01/2023

Blaming ourselves for something bad that happened is sometimes a way of asserting control. But doing that doesn't really prepare us for future situations, and may distract us from things where we really can improve. findcalmwaters.com

10/31/2023

Wishing everyone a happy Halloween, from STACIE SEBASTIAN, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR!

10/27/2023

Therapy can't make all our problems go away, but it can teach us new skills to make things feel less overwhelming. This includes looking for possibilities that our old habits may have caused us to ignore.

How talking about a problem may fix it.

10/24/2023

Comfort-seeking behaviors are often in response to unaddressed pain or fears. If we think these behaviors are actually hurting us in the long run, it's important to be able to deal with whatever prompted them. findcalmwaters.com

10/19/2023

Fear of discomfort often holds us back from things we need to do for ourselves, even when there isn't really much to be afraid of. We can help you to become less fearful of those feelings and accomplish what you need to. findcalmwaters.com

10/16/2023

Trauma can strain relationships by causing people to experience irritability and anger, but it can also lead to numbness and avoidance. Therapy helps people to become more present and engaged in their social lives. findcalmwaters.com

10/13/2023

Depression is a varied disease, and different forms of it can last for a long time. However, chronic depression can still be manageable.

This article explores the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of chronic depression, as well as some treatment options and coping strategies that may be helpful.

10/10/2023

Overcoming insecurity requires us to recognize when we're being held back by false beliefs about ourselves. This requires both introspection and a willingness to seek new experiences.

Insecurity does not discriminate and can affect everyone.

10/07/2023

Our perceptions are often biased by our expectations. When we're thinking unhelpful things about ourselves, it can be especially helpful to challenge on what basis we believe those things to be true.

How we decide on failure and how it distorts our path.

10/04/2023

Self-criticism won't lead to improvement if it isn't based on self-compassion. Feeling compassion for ourselves is a habit that we may need to cultivate intentionally.

Developing positive mental habits helps maintain outward behavior change.

09/29/2023

There are lots of effective ways that people with depression can achieve lasting recovery, but most of them aren't immediate. When we need to feel better right away, there are simpler things we can do on our own.

9. Be patient with yourself.

09/26/2023

Therapy works toward specific goals, from healing from trauma has no clearly defined end-point. This is because we continue to grow in perspective throughout our lives.

A look at the most common ways survivors recognize healing and growth.

09/21/2023

It takes self-confidence to take risks, but we probably won't improve our self-confidence until we start taking some. Starting changes to our lives with things that feel more manageable can help us build up to more. findcalmwaters.com

09/18/2023

Anxiety and worrying exist because they can be helpful when they are about things we are able to change. It's when they're not being helpful that we have to change how we think.

Learn the "three A's of adaptive worry" to know when worry is helping you.

09/16/2023

We wish all our friends who celebrate a happy Rosh Hashanah, from findcalmwaters.com!

09/15/2023

It's hard to summon the motivation to do things with depression, but if we do them anyway, we'll often feel the natural reward. This will make it easier to summon the motivation in the future. findcalmwaters.com

09/12/2023

Not everybody who experiences a traumatic event goes on to develop PTSD. However, we sometimes don't understand how something affected us until a long time afterward, or it may take a long time for something to trigger symptoms. findcalmwaters.com

09/09/2023

Therapy is about helping you to progress toward goals that you pick for yourself. Even if progress isn't immediate, keeping your goals in mind will help you stay motivated.

If you're going to therapy you may want to know if you're reaping all of the benefits. Therapists weigh in on how to maximize your time spent in therapy.

09/06/2023

As soon as we notice our mood shifting toward fatigue is a sign to engage in self-care. This will often include simple, manageable things we know will bring positive change. findcalmwaters.com

09/04/2023

We’re proud to salute the people whose hard work we all depend on. Happy Labor Day from findcalmwaters.com!

09/01/2023

Irritability, aggression, and risky behavior can be symptoms of trauma. Counseling can help people to redirect their thoughts in ways that make them feel better if they recognize that it can help them. findcalmwaters.com

08/29/2023

Becoming more aware of unhelpful thought patterns helps us to take control of them. This requires us to practice asking ourselves questions until it becomes a habit.

8. How will you choose to act now?

08/24/2023

When you dread doing something, self-compassion is often better for your motivation than berating yourself. That doesn't mean you're giving yourself permission to not try, it just means you're allowing yourself to acknowledge when something's hard. findcalmwaters.com

08/21/2023

That our problems are real doesn't mean that everything we think about them is helpful. Part of getting a better hold on our feelings includes learning to recognize when they are prompting us to focus on things we can't control or if nothing would actually satisfy them. findcalmwaters.com

08/18/2023

People can develop PTSD from being indirectly exposed to trauma. It's important to recognize this so that they can give themselves the tools they need to heal. findcalmwaters.com

08/15/2023

Behaviors that make us feel safe when we suffer from anxiety may reduce stress in the moment, but they can also reinforce the preconception that we can't handle ordinary challenges. Ultimately, we have to reduce our reliance on these behaviors to consistently feel well.

Safety behaviors reinforce anxiety and can interfere with a fulfilling life.

08/12/2023

We often learn from experience to think in a certain way for our own protection. But if the circumstance that prompted that habit no longer exists, thinking that way can be limiting and self-destructive, and it may be helpful to explore other ways we could react. findcalmwaters.com

08/11/2023

It's a lot easier to be kind when we feel safe. But for that, we need to establish boundaries and have them respected. findcalmwaters.com