APH Counseling

11/14/2025

🍁November Gratitude🍁

As we move into this season of gratitude, I’ve been reflecting on what this past year has meant to me. APH Counseling is approaching one year of serving our community, and I am so deeply thankful for every single person who has trusted me, supported my practice, referred my name, or showed immense bravery by taking the step to walk through my door.

Opening a mental health practice is both a humbling and hopeful experience. I am humbled because my clients are choosing to invite me into some of the most vulnerable parts of their life, and hopeful because I get to witness growth, bravery, healing, and resilience every day. That is an honor I don’t take lightly and hold close to my heart.

To my clients, community partners, colleagues, my family, friends, and to everyone who believes in the work I do: thank you. Any success I’ve had this year has been because of all of you surrounding me. Your support allows me to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep providing care our area deserves.

🌱A quick research-backed reminder: Studies consistently show that intentionally practicing gratitude even in the most simple ways such as: naming three things you’re thankful for can boost your mood, strengthen relationships, and improve overall well-being. Gratitude doesn’t erase the stress, but it helps our brains notice what’s steady, supportive, and good for us. If you’re able, take a moment this month to pause and reflect on what’s carrying you, too.

I’m grateful for this community. I’m grateful for this work. And I’m grateful for each of you who make it possible for me to do what I love.

Here’s to continuing to grow together. 🧡

— Alyssa @ APH Counseling.

www.aphcounseling.org

11/13/2025

🌲❄️⛄

🎅 Santa’s coming to Rerooted! 🎁✨
Bring your loved ones and join us for a festive morning of connection, laughter, and Christmas cheer...and it’s completely FREE!
We’re teaming up with our amazing community partners - APH Counseling, The Blue Couch, and Lexi Lew Photography, to bring you a morning filled with warmth, smiles, and photo-worthy moments. 📸
🗓 Saturday, December 6 | 9–11 AM
📍 Rerooted Wellness Gathering Space
🎟 RSVP today (link in bio!) and get ready to celebrate the magic of the season with us.

11/08/2025

11/07/2025

🌱

10/10/2025

💚🌍 World Mental Health Day 2025 🌍💚

Today is about acknowledgment.
That mental health touches every home, every relationship, and every season of our lives.

Research reminds us that healing happens within psychologically safe relationships. Feeling seen, supported, and understood is what as human beings we long for in our relationships. Whether that’s between a parent and child, partners, friendships, colleagues, the community, or within ourselves, connection is often the first step toward regulation and repair.

So today, lets pause together and notice:

Where do I feel safe to be myself?

Who helps me come back to calm?

What does "being supported" look like for me right now?

When was the last time I slowed down enough to notice my own needs?

How can I make space for both accountability and grace within my home?

How can I offer safety to others I care for?

Healing is not a progress chart or the perfect routine. Sometimes it’s showing up, taking a breath, or choosing compassion over criticism.

Your mental health matters, and it’s deeply connected to our relationships.

I'm right here with you. I am learning, rewiring, grounding, and trying to reconnect with myself and others right alongside you. That's the real part of our journey because it is to be shared, imperfect, and full of grace.

Let’s keep choosing connection, even in small moments. That’s where the real change begins.

-Alyssa

10/04/2025

The Power of Being Real Together‼️🫶

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do for our mental health… is to be real.
Not “fine.”
Not “I’ve got it handled.”
Just honest — with ourselves, and with the people who care about us.

I know it’s hard. Transparency can feel uncomfortable, even scary. But here’s the thing: research consistently shows that openness.... especially in safe, compassionate relationships lowers anxiety and depression, and increases overall life satisfaction.

When we allow others to really see us, our nervous system relaxes. Shame starts to loosen its grip on us. We feel less alone.

✨ In therapy, this is called the therapeutic alliance — the trust and connection that predicts healing more than almost anything else.

✨ And when self-compassion is part of that process — learning to meet yourself with understanding instead of criticism — symptoms of anxiety and depression drop dramatically.

✨ Even small, appropriate moments of transparency from therapists (or friends) help build that trust and safety.

So here’s my gentle encouragement today —
You don’t have to carry everything quietly. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Healing grows in the soil of connection.

And if you’re learning to be more transparent with yourself and others — I’m proud of you. I see you! I want to know YOU... Don't let yourself and the people in your corner miss out on being connected to the real you. You are a treasure.

It’s not a weakness; this is courage.

I’m walking right beside you. 🤍

09/27/2025

🫶Small moments, big impact.

Thirty seconds of real attention—eye contact, a gentle touch, a curious question—can calm the nervous system and strengthen trust.
Research shows even brief, consistent interactions boost oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) and lower stress hormones for both adults and kids.

‼️Try a micro-connection today:

Pause and greet your child with full eye contact.

Send a “thinking of you” text to your partner or "I am here" to a family member or pal.

Share a 1-minute breathing break with a friend, family member, and don't forget our lovely pets! Diego loves a good breathing break🐶

These tiny check-ins add up to stronger attachment and less anxiety—for them and for you.
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Daily brief positive interactions are linked to higher relationship satisfaction and lower stress (Algoe, 2019; University of North Carolina).

Short parent–child attunement moments help regulate a child’s stress response (Siegel & Bryson, 2020).

Which micro-connection will you try today?💚




- Alyssa @ APH Counseling 🌱

09/13/2025

helplinefaqs.nami.org

09/13/2025

Think about the special ones in your life. Even your pets! 😍
You ARE a VIP! 🤗❤️

09/12/2025

Acts of violence are frightening for everyone — but especially for children. Parents and caregivers can help kids process what they may see or hear, provide comfort, answer hard questions, and help kids navigate fear in a healthy way.

Read our guidance on helping kids cope with frightening news:
https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-cope-frightening-news/

09/03/2025

Who else is appreciating Dr. Kristin Neff and her powerful messages? She is my kind of people... 👌

Expand Your Self-Compassion with These Recommended Reads - Self-Compassion https://share.google/TpjMNMrVUVPV11Okk

https://youtu.be/i9uiBUWByu8?si=DMKbt4OxogAdHR0R

People generally think of self-compassion as a "soft" emotion that helps us comfort, reassure, and nurture ourselves. Today a pioneer in the field of compass...

08/29/2025

8-Week Parenting for Positive Self Worth!!

🙌Thursdays, Sept 4–Oct 23
🙌6–8 PM
🙌Rooted in TBRI® principles
🙌Build connection & strengthen your child’s sense of worth
🙌Facilitated by Shannon Behrend

Caregivers, join us as we learn together!
To register:https://gatheringwell.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2634687