John Opalka MA. LPC.

09/26/2025

Some may joke that doomscrolling is fun or a good time waster but it’s keeping you stressed and anxious.

09/22/2025

Learn from the past so it can be used to lessen anxiety about the future.

09/12/2025

Anxiety will tell you that you have no control, depression will tell you there’s no point in what you can control, health says you do have control over things and if you master those you can feel better.

09/09/2025

Anxiety says you can’t do it, but that may not be reality. Try it and see, more times then not you will be able to do it or learn how to do it. You can’t overcome fear/anxiety without challenging it!

09/02/2025

Don’t let anxiety and depression distort the truth, you are not alone and other people understand the struggle. Reach out for help even if its from a friend.

08/28/2025

Anxiety sure says there’s more to be afraid of! Have you ever stopped to think about where your fears come from? Maybe if we learn fear we can unlearn it?

08/25/2025

It can be challenging to open up and let people in. Having boundaries is very important but those boundaries can become walls if they are too strict. Counseling can help you find this balance.

08/22/2025

Because of TikTok and other social media many people throw these words around incorrectly. Here are some examples….

08/21/2025

“Go where you are appreciated and valued” That’s a challenge to the negative thinking of anxiety and depression, that you have no value and people will not appreciate you!

A violinist played for 45 minutes in the New York subway. A handful of people stopped, a couple clapped, and the violinist raised about $30 in tips.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. In that subway, Joshua played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.
Two days before he played in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out a Boston theatre, and the seats averaged about $100.
The experiment proved that the extraordinary in an ordinary environment does not shine and is so often overlooked and undervalued.
There are brilliantly talented people everywhere who aren't receiving the recognition and reward they deserve. But once they arm themselves with value and confidence and remove themselves from an environment that isn’t serving them, they thrive and grow.
Your gut is telling you something. Listen to it if it's telling you where you are isn't enough!
Go where you are appreciated and valued.
Know Your Worth.❤️

08/19/2025

Anxiety, depression and phone withdrawal among all the other things kids and teens have a deal with.

School counselors are preparing for the new school year, with an increased workload due to the high student to counselor ratio, and are equipped to handle a variety of issues including anxiety, dep…

08/19/2025

Happy first day of school. I hope all you students out there have a great school year. To you parents, if struggles arise know you have a resource for your student. Reach out for help, 417-501-5057 or john@focusedcounseling.org

08/14/2025

A reminder for everyone but especially for students starting school. Try new things, sports, clubs, friendships. You can do it!