Halcyon Behavioral Health Ashley Patrick, LSCSW

09/15/2025

✨ Upcoming Workshop from Return to Zero: Hope ✨

The holiday season can be filled with joy, but it can also bring stress, pressure, and anxiety.
Challenging family dynamics can keep us from participating in the joys and gatherings of the holiday season.
Boundaries are an act of self-care, and learning how to set and honor them can make the season more peaceful and meaningful.

This is a safe, supportive space to practice self-compassion and connect with others who understand. You deserve a holiday season where your needs and wellbeing matter, too. 💛

In this enlightening 60-minute interactive workshop you will: Learn practical strategies to protect your emotional well-being Learn how to assert your rights to grieve without feeling overwhelmed by external pressures Feel more empowered to communicate your needs and to set health

07/04/2025

It's not the kids... it's the endless loads of laundry, it's washing the same dishes again every single day, it's the never ending noise level, it's making and then having to eat three meals everyday, it's remembering where everything is in the house, it's holding space for everyone else's feelings, it's suppressing your own needs, it's a closet full of clothes that no longer fit, it's not recognizing your own face in the mirror, and it's losing yourself slowly in service of the people that you love.
It's not the kids and this is not your new normal.
No matter what you're feeling.
You are not alone and with help you will be well.

11/06/2024

Did you know that November 6th is International Stress Awareness Day?
The day aims to raise awareness of stress and its effects, and to encourage people to learn how to manage it.
The irony is not lost on me that this year it falls the day after a debated and divided election.
No matter how you voted, you may be stressed and emotional about what the next weeks will bring to your life and to our nation. Now is a good time to pause and evaluate your physical and emotional stress.
You may need to take a moment to breathe. You may need to take a break from social media. You may want to plan and invest in daily self care activities. It may help to check in with yourself and ask, is this healthy? Is this helpful?
Use your body to help calm and destress your mind.

06/19/2024

I normally don’t share videos or reels but this beautiful lady is spot on with this wonderful video about parenting and secure attachment.
This is something I get to talk about daily with so many of my clients.
Secure safe attachment is NOT about being “perfect” and isn’t NOT about never losing your s**t. It’s about reconnecting after conflict and showing our children that they are worthy of repair.
Parenting is ALOT!
Keep showing up for your children and for yourself.🌷

05/12/2024

Mother's Day is for every mother.
You may get to spend the day celebrating with your children. You may be spending the day gently remembering the children that you can now only hold in your heart. You may even be doing both at the same time.
Be gentle with yourself. Take all the time you need.
Your story and your experience is valid and important.
No matter what form motherhood has taken for you,
I see you and I honor you. ❤️🩷🩵💙

03/09/2024

Happy International Women’s Day.
Take up space. Take breaks. Breathe Deeply. The world may want us to be quiet. Be loud.
Cheer on the women around you.
Encourage them.
Deeply appreciate and love at least one part of yourself and strive to love, respect, and honor all the parts of you that you’ve ever been.
You are worthy and deserving of good things. You can act, shift, and change your being without asking for everyone else’s permission.
Do whatever you need to do to break out of survival mode and the people pleasing skills we were told were “polite” and “polished”.
You’ve got this. 🌷

12/19/2023

Grief not only takes a toll on us emotionally, it also takes a toll on our mind and body. Even if multiple years have passed since the event, things can be particularly tough during the holiday season.

It's important to remember that taking care of yourself is crucial during this time, and self-care can take many different forms. Some find comfort in exercise or spending time in nature, while others may prefer to journal, meditate, or seek counseling and therapy.

Whatever works for you, prioritize it and make time for it. Remember, it's okay to feel sad and it's okay to grieve.
It's also okay to do whatever is most healthy and helpful for you to take care of yourself. Nourishing your body is essential to your overall wellbeing.

Whatever you are feeling, you are not alone.

12/17/2023

I read some very inspiring affirmations today and it made me think of all of the amazing women that I have been lucky enough to work with over the years.

I wanted to share these beautiful words with all you. I hope that these words of affirmation find their way deep in your heart. You deserve to hear and feel these words.

You matter.
You are a gift.
No one has a heart like you.
No one has your ideas, your own unique brilliance, and way of living in and giving to this world.
You are magnificent.
You are worthy
You are enough.
You are so much more than enough.
You always have been.
Your light is undeniable and it's infectious.
You are a gift to this world and all who know you.
Go shine that beautiful light of yours.
We’re all better for it.
Thank you for being you.
Thank you for being here.
You have always been and you will always be enough.
It's an honor to be in this life with you.
It's an honor to know you.

10/22/2023

I know October can be a difficult month for some of us.
For some this is simply a month that feels quick and busy as we hurriedly move into the holiday season.
For others, this month is a time to slow down and intentionally remember a tiny human, the spark of a new person, and the whisper of what our mind envisioned for the future.
Our lives grows around the loss that we feel.
The grief can change but our love stays the same.
No matter what you are feeling... you are not alone.

07/26/2023

Affirmation Time:
May I remember the power of taking even just a few minutes for myself. May I care for myself the way I care for my family.

It's so easy to get caught up in all that we do for others. So often it doesn't feel like there is time to slow down let alone stop and do something in service and in care for ourselves as caregivers, mothers, humans.
Breathe.
Acknowledge your needs, even just the most basic ones. What can I do in 5 mins? What could I do with an hour? How can I support and take care of my body and my mind?
If you constantly hold emotional space for all of those around you, these questions are really difficult. They may even make you feel selfish or bring up feelings of unworthiness. Just Breathe.
Know that whatever healthy and helpful thing that you do in care of yourself is going to roll down to those you provide and hold space for. Taking care of yourself also serves those around you. You are worthy of a rest, a break, a shower, a walk, warm food, a coffee, catching up with a friend... whatever it is. You are worthy right now in this very moment and you don't need to "earn" the break by pushing yourself to the breaking point.
You are worthy, important, and loved.

06/19/2023

In honor of amazing fathers everywhere who are doing what they can to support partners and children… may you also be seen, heard, and supported. 🌷

In honor of Father's Day tomorrow, did you know dads can be impacted by perinatal depression too? The signs are a bit different than in moms and birthing parents, so make sure you know them:
🔷 Frustration or irritability
🔷 Feeling discouraged
🔷 Increased physical problems, such as headaches or indigestion
🔷 Problems concentrating
🔷 Increased fatigue
🔷 Lack of motivation
🔷 Loss of interest in hobbies or work
🔷 Self-isolation
🔷 Working constantly
🔷 Increased anger
🔷 Increased use of alcohol or illegal drugs, misuse of prescription medication
🔷 Violent behavior
🔷 Impulsiveness
🔷 Thoughts of self-harm or su***de

Parenting is hard. You don't have to do this alone - PSI is here to help.
If you need help or support:
🔷 Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔷 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔷 In a crisis situation, call or text the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
🔷 Visit postpartum.net for additional programs and resources, including the free online Dads Support Group.

05/14/2023

No matter what the reason, Mother’s Day can be incredibly difficult for so many of us. ♥️
However you spend the day, please know that you can spend the rest of the evening, and tomorrow, and all of the days following… taking care of yourself.
You are important.
You matter.
And no matter what your experience with motherhood is or how you got there, your feelings are valid and worthy of being heard.