Autana Family Therapy Center

01/05/2026

You do not have to start the new year in a hurry.

January can bring a lot of pressure to change everything at once. But you’re allowed to ease into the new year slowly, at a pace that supports your wellbeing.

You don’t need dramatic resolutions. You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You can begin gently and adjust as you go.

Find one gentle way you can ease into the new year, and start there ♥️

12/29/2025

Looking back on 2025, what are you proud of for simply getting through?

As the year winds down, it can be tempting to focus only on what we didn’t do.

But surviving a hard season counts.
Showing up counts.
Starting again counts.

An end of the year reflection doesn’t have to be about achievement. It can be about noticing what you carried, what you learned, or how you kept going.

As you end 2025, remember to have compassion for your past, current, and future self. You’re here. And that is enough ♥️

12/22/2025

A gentle holiday check-in: What do you need right now?

This time of year can stir up joy, stress, grief, and everything in between.

Take a moment to check in with yourself. What do you need this week?

A quiet, no-plans night in?

A ten minute call with a loved one?

Permission to take a break from cooking and have takeout or a snack plate for dinner one night this week?

Pick one thing you can do to take care of yourself this week, and let your loved ones know how they can support you in it. You deserve to be well ♥️

12/15/2025

Did you know that in Michigan, teens can get counseling without a parent’s knowledge in certain situations?

Under Michigan law, minors ages 14 and older can consent to their own outpatient mental health services for up to 12 sessions or 4 months, whichever comes first. After that, parental consent is required to continue care.

Counseling is also confidential, which means what you share with your therapist stays private unless there’s a serious safety concern, like if someone is in danger or being harmed.

If you’re a teen thinking about trying therapy (or a caregiver supporting one), it’s okay to ask questions about your rights, privacy, and what to expect in sessions.

Understanding these boundaries helps build trust and makes therapy a safe place to talk.

And if you or a teen in your life is looking for additional support, our therapists are here for you. Our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients — visit our website to get started: https://www.autanafamilytherapycenter.com/

♥️ Disclaimer: Our social media posts are for educational purposes only and are not a replacement for professional mental health services. If you are struggling, please seek professional support. You deserve to be well ♥️

12/08/2025

❄️ Join us this Saturday, December 13th for our Winter Wellness Workshops!

Is your child more emotional, anxious, or overwhelmed as winter sets in?

You’re not imagining it — darker days, holiday chaos, and routine changes can take a big toll on kids and teens.

That’s why we’re hosting Winter Wellness Workshops to help kids build REAL coping tools for winter mood dips, stress, big feelings, and seasonal sadness. All in a creative, supportive, fun environment. 💙

✨ Ages: 3rd–5th, Middle School, High School
✨ 90 minutes of hands-on activities, art, mindfulness & emotional skills
✨ Kids go home with tools they can use all season

📅 Saturday, December 13th
📍 Autana Family Therapy Center
💲 $65 per session

➡️ Register today — spaces are limited:
https://www.autanafamilytherapycenter.com/youth-workshops-camps

12/01/2025

Our new Community Cabinet is now open in the lobby: a small, no-questions-asked space where anyone can take or leave free food, toiletries, or pet supplies.

At Autana, we know that food insecurity is not a personal failure — it's a reality many families quietly navigate. Rising prices, SNAP cuts, medical bills, caregiving demands, job changes, and unexpected emergencies affect families across all backgrounds. No one should have to choose between groceries, paying a bill, or feeding a pet. Supporting access to food stabilizes families, reduces shame, and strengthens well-being.

If you need support:

• Please take what you need, whenever you need it.
• No questions. No sign-ins. No explanations.
• You deserve dignity, safety, and nourishment.

If you’re able to give, we welcome:

• pantry staples
• kid-friendly snacks
• culturally relevant foods
• pet food
• hygiene supplies
• grocery gift cards

Every donation — no matter how small — helps another family breathe easier. We keep giving private and judgment-free. And we welcome donating that is quiet and heartfelt, not performative.

It’s simple mutual aid, rooted in the belief that we all need support sometimes. If you have extra, feel free to share. If you need something, please take what helps.

Community care doesn’t have to be complicated to make a difference. We encourage you to find small ways you can support your community today ♥️

11/24/2025

This Native American Heritage Month, we’re honored to highlight American Indian Health & Family Services (AIHFS), a Detroit-based nonprofit health and community wellness center supporting Native American well-being and sovereignty in Southeast Michigan.

Their services include medical care, behavioral health care, substance use and su***de prevention care, and pregnancy and infant health care. They also offer a variety of community programming, and cultural and community wellness programs.

Last May, we were grateful to welcome representatives from AIHFS, Adon J. Vazquez and Taylor P. Maxwell, to our conference, Healing in a Broken System: Resilience, Advocacy & Culturally Responsive Care. Their session, “Culture and Tradition is Medicine,” explored how Indigenous communities promote healing through culture, tradition, and community connection, reminding us that true wellness includes honoring our roots and relationships.

We deeply value the work AIHFS does to advance health equity, cultural preservation, and community care in Detroit and beyond. We encourage you to learn more, follow, and support their mission at https://aihfs.org/

11/20/2025

❄️ Is your child more emotional, anxious, or overwhelmed as winter sets in?
You’re not imagining it — darker days, holiday chaos, and routine changes can take a big toll on kids and teens.

That’s why we’re hosting Winter Wellness Workshops to help kids build REAL coping tools for winter mood dips, stress, big feelings, and seasonal sadness. All in a creative, supportive, fun environment. 💙

✨ Ages: 3rd–5th, Middle School, High School
✨ 90 minutes of hands-on activities, art, mindfulness & emotional skills
✨ Kids go home with tools they can use all season

📅 Saturday, December 13th
📍 Autana Family Therapy Center
💲 $65 per session
➡️ Register today — spaces are limited: https://www.autanafamilytherapycenter.com/store/p/winter-wellness-workshops-2025

11/17/2025

November 13th through November 19th is Transgender Awareness Week, a week dedicated to visibility, celebration, and care for the transgender community. As part of our mission to best support our transgender clients and community, we want to spotlight the amazing work done by Affirmations Community Center, an organization serving Southeast Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community since 1989.

Affirmations runs a wide range of social events, support groups, and creative groups. They also offer no-cost medical care and affordable mental health services.

They have also curated a comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ affirming community resources on their website, including affirming resources related to food, clothing, housing, legal, employment, recovery, business, spirituality, and more.

The work Affirmations does is incredibly valuable and so needed right now, and we’re grateful for all the resources they’ve gathered and continue to develop for this community.

We encourage you to learn more, follow, volunteer, donate, and support their mission at goaffirmations.org

11/10/2025

As a caregiver, you know the holiday season can be both joyful AND exhausting. With so many activities, parties, and other commitments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are 3 tips to make holiday planning a little less stressful for your family:

✨ Start the conversation early:

Before the season gets hectic, talk with your kids about what matters most to them during the holidays, and share your own perspectives. You might be surprised what they value most! Having an open conversation can help your whole family prioritize and ensure everyone’s needs are met.

✨ Name the stress:

Acknowledge that the holidays can bring both pleasure AND pressure, and that’s ok. Let your kids know that it’s ok to share difficult emotions during this time, and that you are there to listen and adapt plans if needed.

✨ Collaborate on boundaries:

Decide together which events or obligations are most important, and which can be skipped or shortened. Normalize the importance of space and rest for both you and your kids.

✨ Check in regularly:

Things may change as the season goes on, and you or your kids might need a break or to cancel plans unexpectedly. Check in at least once a week with how your kids are handling the busy season, and make adjustments if needed.

Holidays are about connection, not perfection.

If your family could use support navigating communication or stress this season, our therapists are here for you. Our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

11/03/2025

As the holiday season starts, you may find yourself pulled in many different directions. It can be hard to keep your priorities straight. Here are a few tips to help reduce that feeling of overwhelm:

✨ Pick your priorities:

Make a short list of what actually matters most to you this season, not all the things you think you “should” do. Maybe you really want to go to a cider mill, and you’re happy to skip the nighttime holiday lights. This helps you decide what to actually put on your calendar vs what you can let go of stress-free.

✨ Say no with kindness:

It’s okay to turn down plans that you aren’t excited for or that don’t fit around your other priorities. While it can be uncomfortable to turn down a friend or other loved one, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can simply say something kind, like “Thank you for inviting me. I’m going to rest that day, but I hope you have a great time!”

✨ Keep up your self care:

During a busy season, it’s easy to let the basics slip, but it’s important to keep these healthy habits up! Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and making time for rest matter just as much as studying or socializing.

✨ Ask for support:

It’s totally normal for this time to feel like a lot. When you start to feel stressed, or you just need some support, talk to a family member, friend, counselor, or other trusted adult. Even just one conversation can help lighten the load.

The holidays can be both exciting AND tiring. It’s okay to slow down and make them work for you.

And if you’d like some extra support this season, we’re here to help. Our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

11/03/2025

🌿 We are honored to be recognized by Representative MacDonell as her October Small Business of the Month!

At Autana, our mission has always been to create a compassionate and inclusive space where individuals and families can grow, heal, and thrive. Thank you, Representative MacDonell, for this meaningful acknowledgment — and thank you to our community for your continued trust and support. We’re so grateful to do this work every day. 🌟

This past week, I was proud to honor Autana Family Therapy Center as my October Small Business of the Month!

Autana’s work is grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and a commitment to helping people thrive. They’ve built a welcoming space where everyone feels supported and valued, helping to improve the well-being of our entire community. Congrats to Colleen and Jenn on this well-earned recognition!