Jena Garrow, LMHC - Oceanside Counseling

08/05/2025

It takes strength and courage to start healing; I offer a safe, empowering space to work through trauma and find clarity.
https://oceanside-counseling.com/

06/22/2025

Healing isn’t always graceful.
Sometimes it looks like sleeping longer than you think you should.
It sounds like a shaky “no” that makes your stomach twist.
It means crying in your car before stepping into the next task.
It feels like everything’s getting harder before it gets better.

But that doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re feeling.
It means you’re finally tending to what you used to push past.

Healing isn’t linear. It’s deeply human.
Give yourself grace. Reach out today if you need help.
You’re not going backward. You’re just beginning to move differently.

06/18/2025

Things You Should Know Before Starting Therapy:

Starting therapy is a big step, and a brave one.

1) You don’t need to be in crisis to come. Therapy isn’t just for when everything falls apart, it’s also for self-discovery, emotional maintenance, and growth. You’re allowed to come just because you want to understand yourself better.

2) You don’t have to have all the words. “I don’t even know where to start” is a perfectly fine place to begin. It’s our job as therapists to help you explore and make meaning, not to expect polished narratives.

3) It might feel awkward at first. Vulnerability isn’t easy, especially with someone new. That’s normal. Trust is something we build together, not something you need to have on day one.

4) Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you. You are not broken. The work we do is about understanding you, helping you hold your story with compassion, and building the tools to navigate life with more ease.

And finally, not every therapist will be the right fit, and that’s okay. It’s not personal. Finding the right therapeutic relationship is a bit like dating: when it clicks, it clicks.

If you’re thinking about therapy or just beginning, reach out today.

06/03/2025

It’s okay if you didn’t get everything done today.

It’s okay if your emotions feel too big sometimes.

It’s okay if you need space from people you love.

It’s okay if you don’t have the words to explain how you feel.

It’s okay if healing is taking longer than you expected.

It’s okay if all you did today was survive.

It's okay to reach out for help.

05/19/2025

Are you feeling disconnected?

Life has a way of pulling us in countless directions, leaving us feeling lost or disconnected from who we truly are. But what if you could rediscover yourself? Therapy offers a space to slow down, reconnect with your core, and reawaken the passions and dreams that may have been buried under life's pressures. It's time to listen to your inner voice again and find the peace that’s waiting for you.

05/13/2025

Mental health is like a painting.

Each person holds their own palette and some days filled with bold color, other days blurred in shadow. The brushstrokes of our experiences are layered with joy, pain, resilience, and doubt. No two canvases are alike.

Sometimes, the picture others see isn’t the one we meant to paint.
Sometimes, even we don’t understand what’s taking shape.

But that doesn’t mean the art is wrong, it just means it’s time to pause, reflect, and maybe ask for guidance with the next stroke.

Therapy is a place to step back, reconnect with your vision, and keep painting with intention.

You are not alone. Support is here. Reach out today.

05/05/2025

When everything feels like too much, what helps you come back to yourself?

In moments when the pace of life feels overwhelming, even the smallest practices can offer grounding—whether it’s something you do, feel, remember, or simply allow.

You don’t have to have the perfect answer. Just something that helps.

What helps you feel steady when things feel chaotic?

Feel free to reflect quietly—or share if it feels right.

04/24/2025

Life is full of ups and downs. Things change—relationships shift, we fall in love, we experience joy, and sometimes, we get hurt. Even our daily routines—like sleep, diet, and relationships—can be affected.

It’s easy for mental health struggles to creep up on us without warning. Arguments with your partner, snapping at loved ones, or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and loneliness you can’t fully explain. If you’re noticing these signs, it’s okay. Your mind and body are signaling that it’s time to seek support. Therapy can help you regain balance and find peace again. Don’t wait—taking that first step is one of the most powerful acts of self-care you can make.

04/09/2025

Spring is a reminder: growth doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.
Tiny shifts. Warmer light. Quiet changes beneath the surface.
That’s how healing often begins too.

If you’re feeling stuck, tired, or unsure—you’re not behind.
You're still growing, even if it doesn't look like it yet.

This season, give yourself permission to soften, to start fresh, and to trust your pace.

03/17/2025

St. Patrick’s Day often brings thoughts of luck, but when it comes to mental health, real change isn’t left to chance. Growth, resilience, and healing come from self-awareness, meaningful support, and taking intentional steps toward well-being.

Instead of hoping for things to get better, focus on what you can control—whether it’s setting healthy boundaries, reaching out for support, or practicing self-compassion. Small, intentional choices create lasting change, and seeking help is never a matter of luck—it’s a step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

This St. Patrick’s Day, remember: Your well-being isn’t about luck—it’s about the care and effort you invest in yourself. If your wellbeing needs to be nurtured, reach out today.

03/03/2025

“I’m holding space for you, because I get it.”

So, I have anxiety.

I've always had it I think. There have been seasons that it's come in waves so strong and fast it knocked me off my feet. There has also been seasons of unexplainable calm and peace.

Sometimes anxiety feels like all my senses are turned up too high. Every noise is too loud. Every touch is too rough. Every light is too bright.

Sometimes anxiety has made me silent and frozen. I feel trapped in a prison of my own fear, unable to cry out for help.

Sometimes anxiety makes normal life feel overwhelming. Everything is too much. Cleaning the mess is too much, doing the laundry is too much, paying the bills is too much.

Sometimes anxiety makes me unable to handle (read) the news or even have certain conversations with friends because if I do my mind will spin out of control.
Sometimes anxiety causes me to feel physically ill, like headaches, stomach aches, and knots in my back and neck from stress.

Sometimes anxiety feels like being completely alone in a room full of people.
Sometimes anxiety causes panic attacks so strong I can't breath and I begin to sob uncontrollably wherever I'm at (even I'm in the grocery store).

Sometimes anxiety makes me unable to sleep.

Sometimes anxiety makes me on edge and impatient with my family. That's my least favorite symptom I think.

You know what else having anxiety means?

It means I will never judge someone in the middle of a battle with mental health.
I will never wonder why she's not happy when she has so much to be thankful for.

I will never wonder why my friend who is struggling isn't calling me back.

I will never wonder why she is so scared about something that seems unreasonable.
The thing is anxiety sucks. It really does. But the more we talk about it the more we'll realize we're not alone.

Right now my seas are peaceful and calm, but if you're in the middle of a big storm I'm holding space for you because I get it.

I gotchu.
Love,
Jess

02/13/2025

You have the power to change your story. Experience a space to unpack, process, and heal—at your own pace. When you're ready, support is here.