Healthy Roots Counseling

05/01/2026

Motherhood can be beautiful—and overwhelming.
Both can exist at the same time.

If you’re feeling touched out, anxious, overstimulated, or not like yourself… you’re not failing. You’re human.

Maternal mental health matters—not just for moms, but for entire families.

Save this as a reminder or share with a mom who needs to hear it today 🤍
💚

04/29/2026

Play therapy might be helpful if your child:
• Has big emotions that feel hard to manage
• Gets easily frustrated or overwhelmed
• Struggles with transitions or changes
• Has experienced a stressful or scary event
• Has difficulty expressing feelings

💛 Therapy isn’t just for crises—it’s a space for growth, healing, and confidence-building.

Curious if play therapy is right for your child? Let’s talk. We’re here to support both you and your child.

04/27/2026

Meet the team at Healthy Roots Counseling: Melanie Shands, LCSW; Katie Gerwel, LPC; Emily McCarty, LPC, and Kari Sugiyama, LPC.
Healthy Roots Counseling consistent of four person-centered therapists who want to help you heal from your past so you can live your best future. We offer individual therapy, play therapy and EMDR therapy. We have a passion for helping young adults, new mothers and their children thrive into today's world!
🌱 Let's grow through what you go through 🌱

04/26/2026

These slow, peaceful mornings don’t happen every day—but when they do, I soak them in. ☕️☀️

04/24/2026

Your child’s play is more than just play—it’s communication.

Through play, children may be expressing:
• Big emotions they don’t have words for
• Experiences they’re trying to process
• Fears, worries, or confusion
• A need for control or safety

You might notice:
🏠 Reenacting daily routines (or stressful moments)
🦸 Playing out “good vs. bad” scenarios
🩺 Taking care of dolls or stuffed animals
💥 Repetitive or intense themes

✨ Play gives us a window into their inner world.

If your child’s play has you wondering what it means, you’re not alone. Reach out—we’re here to help you understand what your child may be expressing. 💛

04/23/2026

It’s great to work alongside RiverBranch Healthcare to help meet all the needs of our clients.

🤝 Partner Shout‑Out!

Riverbranch Healthcare is located inside Restorative Counseling, and we’re proud to share this space with the compassionate team at Healthy Roots Counseling.

Healthy Roots walks alongside women, children, and families as they heal from their past so they can truly thrive in their future. Their therapists help children, teens, and adults understand how past experiences may be showing up today — through behaviors, emotions, or even physical symptoms — and guide them toward healing that lasts.

Whether someone has faced one significant event or a series of difficult moments, Healthy Roots is dedicated to helping clients of all ages break free from what’s been holding them back. It’s never too late to plant healthier roots and grow forward with confidence.

If you’re ready to begin that journey, their team is ready to support you.

📞 To schedule an initial intake, call 417‑289‑2942
📍 Riverbranch Healthcare — 281 US Hwy 60, Republic, MO
🌐 https://www.riverbranchhealthcare.com

04/23/2026

Books do more than tell stories…
they help children understand their own. 💛

Through stories, children can:
• Feel seen and understood
• Learn how to name emotions
• Explore big experiences in a safe way
• Build empathy and connection

📚 Sometimes a child relates to a character before they can express themselves.

Snuggle up and read with your child today—you might be opening more than just a book.

04/22/2026

Earth Day reminder:
Healing doesn’t always happen indoors. 🌿

Fresh air
Sunlight
Movement
Connection

These are powerful for both you and your child’s mental health.

Step outside today—even for a few minutes. Your mind and body will thank you. 🌱

04/21/2026

I began my day feeling uplifted by the remarkable women of the Ozarks who shared their stories. Last year had a profound impact on me, and I'm honored to support this year's participants!

04/21/2026

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty simplify the often confusing world of therapy modalities, breaking down what acronyms like CBT, EMDR, and IFS actually mean. They explain what a modality is and emphasize that there’s no one-size-fits-all method.
The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

04/20/2026

Sometimes children don’t have the words to say, “I’m struggling.”
Instead… they show us.

Signs your child may benefit from play therapy:
• Increased tantrums or meltdowns
• Withdrawal or becoming unusually quiet
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Regression (bedwetting, baby talk, clinginess)
• Trouble at school or with friendships
• Big worries or fears that won’t go away

Play is a child’s language—and therapy helps them feel safe enough to “talk.”

✨ You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to get support.

Call to Action:
If something feels off, trust your gut. Reach out to learn how play therapy can help your child feel understood and supported. 💛