Lamplight

01/01/2025

“When I say ‘happy new year’,
I’m not for a moment,
expecting this to occur,
for that is not possible,
a year must be all things.

Happiness must come and go,
like the tides and the winds,
just as sadness,
and all the emotions in between.

When I say ‘happy new year’,
I’m really wishing you,
a baseline of peace,
of gratitude.

Because if you can sit with these things,
for the most part,
happiness will thrive,
when it does arrive,
and sadness will know its place in the mix.

If you can nourish these things,
daily,
you will also grow hope,
for it flourishes in such soil.

And hope is the key,
to this enigmatic state
of ‘happiness’ we seek.

When I say ‘happy new year’,
I’m really wishing you more happy days,
than sad days,
more joy than misery,
more laughter than tears…
and the wisdom to accept,
that they all belong.

Happy new year, my friends.
Happy new year.”

Donna Ashworth

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

10/03/2024

It’s officially the first week of October. The weather is getting cooler and the pumpkins are up in the office.

Fun fact: I’m an extremely festive person and love seasonal decorations.

09/19/2024

What can I expect when I come in person?

A relaxed and cozy room filled with plants, natural light, and artwork of nature. Grab one of the many blankets and let yourself get comfy on the couch.

07/16/2024

Another weekend of assisting a Somatic Experiencing training :) It’s so wonderful to go through the training again as an assistant and further integrate the material and support new students in their journey!
If you’re in Missouri and looking to start your somatic healing journey send me a message.

11/23/2023

The holiday season can be difficult for some, but we're here for you - 24/7/365. Text 988 whenever you need someone to talk to.

10/25/2023

And there it is. After three years of trainings, consults, and sessions, I’m officially a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
This training changed everything about the way I work with clients but it also changed me as a person. It changed my own nervous system. It changed how I interact with others and how I interact with myself and my body. It’s been so healing to experience my own capacity expanding over the course of the last three years.
I’m looking forward to taking masterclasses and continuing to learn about somatic work in the near future but for now, I plan to rest and appreciate this accomplishment.

Interested in doing somatic work? Email me Katelynn@lamplightstl.com

10/01/2023

Hello everyone!
A bit of an update for you.
Lamplight Counseling has officially launched and you can now find me in the Tower Grove area.
It’s been a joy to welcome people into this new space and I’m happy to unveil it here now.

11/02/2022

“So that's 1460 cals, just for THOSE organs. That doesn't include skeletal maintenance, immune function, blood production and maintenance, respiratory system, digestion, integumentary maintenance, or nervous system (in addition to the brain). So why are we saying it's ok for full grown adults to be consuming 1200cals/day?”

Posted •

Your organs and tissues need calories to maintain their functioning. These numbers are estimates, vary from person to person, and do not include all of your organs OR the calories you need to perform daily activities ie showering, cooking, driving, work, etc. OR any additional physical activity.

Moral of the story? Your body needs a lot more energy than you might think it does. Energy = calories, calories = food.

Reference: Trauma Informed Approaches to EDs (Andrew Seubert, Pam Virdi)

08/31/2022

What is embodied recovery?
Embodied recovery involves healing the relationship with the body and working together as one. No longer enemies.
Embodied recovery is a result of healing the mind body connection and coming back home to oneself. It’s being present when you move your body and when you nurture
it. It’s allowing yourself to enjoy food and being fully present in the moment. It’s trusting that the body knows what to do with the nutrition you give it. It’s feeling and responding to hunger and fullness cues as well as taste preferences. It’s listening to your body and taking rest days when you’re sore, tired, sick, or stressed. It’s noticing when feelings are coming up and letting them come out as they need to.
Embodied living is about honoring yourself as well as your body.

How can a therapist help?
A knowledgeable therapist can help you rebuild trust with self and body and learn to identify and respond to your needs appropriately.
The work may involve connecting with the body in ways that feel tolerable and then increasing awareness of and tolerance for bodily sensations and emotions.
We may incorporate movement and other practices to foster connection with the body. We may have snack/meal sessions to work with connection and regulation. We will work on somatic skills such as taking a few minutes before a meal to connect with the body by going outside and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, etc. Ultimately, I help clients learn to identify and meet their needs appropriately and without the use of behaviors as well as assist clients in working through difficult moments whether it’s due to trauma or other events.

05/22/2022

From the neck down, your body doesn't know the difference.

Our brain tends to overcomplicate nutrition (thanks, diet/wellness culture!), but our bodies don't see much of a difference. Eat what feels good.

05/22/2022

Posted •

There is no scientific evidence that sugar is addictive. In research, rodents only displayed "addictive-like behavior" when they had intermittent access to it, not when they had unlimited access to it. Deprivation of any food, such as sugar, causes the brain and body to crave it even more. Your body’s natural response is to crave sugar as a quick form of energy. It's okay to eat sugar.