OutlierCounseling

14/07/2022

Facing a mental health crisis can often be frightening, debilitating, and unexpected.

No one has to go it alone!

On July 16, 2022, it'll get a little easier to reach out when you need someone to talk to when life feels too much.

The new 988 number will allow you or your loved ones to call, chat, or text 988 to be connected to the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline.

The shame and stigma that millions face when grappling with mental health challenges is still all too real and keeps many from using traditional avenues such as therapy to get the support they need.

This service is another tool to make sure those who need to talk with someone when they are in crisis have another way to do so.

If you or someone you love could benefit from keeping this number close by, don't be afraid to pass it their way - it's a loving this to do!

Therapy can be a very effective tool for managing life during emotional storms. Don't be afraid to reach out to a professional counselor or suggest that someone you care about may benefit from it.

Breaking down stigma and normalizing mental health care, will assist us in cultivating the emotional resources needed that may help us avoid things getting to crisis levels.

Help is available, and you are worthy of receiving it!

Wishing you wellness!

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July...

28/06/2022

Got plans for the upcoming 4th of July Holiday?

Are you or your loved one apprehensive about the anticipated booms and bangs from the backyard and community fireworks displays?

You are not alone.

All too often, many people with PTSD grapple with feelings of ambivalence or dread when it comes to approaching holidays and events where loud displays of constant and intense sounds are part of the celebration. They may often withdraw, become increasingly stressed, have an onset or resurgence of symptoms, or find ways to avoid people or places during these times all together.

Thankfully, there are numerous strategies and activities one can do to support improved coping or successful engagement with these types of activities.

The article by Everyday Health provides 5 helpful tips for handling the bright lights and big sounds of this explosively festive season. Putting these strategies into practice before, during, and after these types of activities can help with regulating emotions and managing symptoms that may come up for those with a history of PTSD.

Should you need a warm and supportive guide to provide a deeper level of support to help you better cope, then contacting a therapist could be a step in the right direction.

Wishing you wellness!

If your PTSD symptoms flare on the Fourth of July and other fireworks-friendly holidays, you’re not alone. Coping strategies like therapy and deep breathing can help, experts say.

14/06/2022

Has stress been a constant source of difficulty for you?

Consider checking out this quick read by the American Psychological Association for information and tips to help you learn to identify and address the sources of stress in your life.

If doing things on your own are not enough, reaching out to a trained therapist can help you navigate these stressful times in your life.

Wishing you wellness!

07/06/2022

Need a few quick strategies for stress management?

Check out this quick read from American Psychological Association on a variety of strategies for coping with life's stressors.

If you find that self-care strategies are not enough, reaching out to a therapist can help you journey a bit deeper to address underlying factors that may be getting in the way of joyful and healthy living.

Wishing you wellness!



https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/tips?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=apa-stress&utm_content=healthy-ways&fbclid=IwAR1uu1jjH5K1Tyj42y0Gy9pntPVPk7KWYCVXPFYZcrJ2PjTZpH891wMPwS8 #

When stress becomes unmanageable, try evidence-based tools to tackle it in healthy ways, including social support, good nutrition, relaxation techniques, meditation and exercise.

17/05/2022

A great post by WebMD discusses how excessive worry impacts the body and numerous ways to get relief.

No one thinks much about a little worry or anxiousness once in a while; however, chronic worry can wreak havoc on our mind, body, and spirit.

Not only does excessive worry, overwhelm, and stress impact numerous body systems, it also negatively impacts our body's ability to ward off illness and sets us up for potential health consequences down the road.

Worry can also lead to the development of mental health conditions, which when left untreated, can also impact our well-being and physical health.

There are numerous activities listed in the article that can be done in the comfort of your home to reduce stress and worry, and cultivate skills for healthier living.

If you struggle with excessive worry, stress, anxiety, depression, or overwhelm, I'd love to help you address those challenges so you can live life more fully and in balance. Feel free to contact me today to see how we can work together to reduce your stressors and enhance your well-being.

Wishing you wellness!



www.webmd.com/balance/guide/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot

Stress isn’t all bad, but too much and for too long can cause health troubles. Learn how to relax with proven techniques.

17/05/2022

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with anxiety, then the SPACE treatment may be just the right intervention for you.

Developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center and researched for effectiveness, this parent-led treatment allows caregivers to understand the nature of their child's struggles and provides strategies and activities to help their child overcome them.

This is a very good option for parents and caregivers who want direct support from a therapist while being empowered to practice these skills with their child and follow up for guided support as they implement treatment targets.

It can be very hard to watch your child struggle with anxiety, and families sometime unwittingly accommodate - or give in to the child's distress - in attempt to try and decrease their discomfort.

However, anxiety is a tricky condition that will cause its sufferers and their loved ones to provide an endless supply of behaviors and tactics that actually heighten the anxiety rather than reduce it.

The anxious mind will be led to believe it simply cannot handle things and will create a world around them that attempts to make them feel safe and insulate them from perceived harm.

The importance of the SPACE treatment and other research-based anxiety treatments, is they help the sufferer and those around them learn to move closer to the discomfort in order to lessen the grip it has on them and lessen the frequency, intensity, and severity of symptoms over time.

Anxiety is very treatable, and parents and caregivers can learn a variety of techniques to support their child through their difficulty with courage and success.

If you or someone you know would benefit from receiving help for the anxiety they are struggling with, give my office a call to find out how I can best support you.

Together, anxiety can be successfully managed and treated.

Wishing you wellness!

Rather than suppress this misunderstood emotion, we need to understand its essential evolutionary role in motivating us to action.

17/05/2022

07/05/2022

We don't talk enough about high-functioning depression and how the daily grind to manage life's demands in the face of a cloud of depressive symptoms hanging over us leaves us chronically tapped out and emotionally drained.

There are many symptoms of high-functioning depression - or persistent depressive disorder - which mimic those of major depression only they are typically less severe.

Less severity of symptoms can sometimes make us think that we may be experiencing normal life stress, overwhelm, or fatigue.

The truth is that high-functioning depression can wreak havoc in our lives and benefits from treatment.

It can be very helpful to touch base with your primary care doctor to rule out and/or treat other conditions that may be contributing to problematic symptoms and mood challenges.

It can also be very helpful to check in with a therapist who can support you on your journey to recovery in lifting the burden of chronic depression that impacts so many ares of your life.

There are great resources by NAMI and other large organizations that can help you start your journey and point you in the right direction in getting the support, resources, and information that can help.

I have worked with hundreds of women with high-functioning depression and other mental health conditions. You don't have to put off getting the help you need any longer.

Wishing you wellness!

As I reflect on my mental health journey, I now realize that “functional” and “successful” don’t always mean “healthy.”

07/05/2022

Are you worried that your child is not coping as well as they used to?

Is your child withdrawn, anxious, tearful, depressed, or unmotivated?

Do you find yourself worrying how to help or support your child at this time?

Helping your child grapple with mental health challenges can be scary and overwhelming for parents and caregivers.

COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges for children and their families.

Reaching out to a therapist who can assess your child and discuss a plan for care can be just the right kind of support they need right now.

It's never too early to encourage your child to participate in therapy when life becomes challenging for them.

Learning new coping skills and strategies for managing life's challenges can support a renewed sense of purpose and competence in being able to manage their distress in helpful ways.

Don't be afraid to talk to your child's doctor about your concerns and ask for a referral for a child therapist. Check out this article by Healthy Children for additional signs to look for in your child or adolescent that could point to a mental health challenge.

Additionally, therapist directories like Psychology Today or Good Therapy may make it easier to find a therapist near you.

Also, it is so important for parents and caregivers to get the support they need when helping their child manage their mental health.

I have a enjoyed a wonderful career helping parents navigate the uncertain and worrisome waters of their child's mental health needs.

If you are a parent who may benefit from talking with someone to get the support you need to be better equipped to help your child, feel free to reach out to me for support.

A skilled therapist can help you support your child's needs while also managing your own.

Wishing you wellness!

Children and teens can have an especially hard time coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how to keep lines of communication open, identify signs of mental health struggles, and how to know when to seek extra support.

28/03/2022

Has the constant 24/7 news cycle got you on a hamster wheel of overwhelm?

Do you find yourself popping online only to find yourself going deeper and deeper into a rabit hole of unrelenting information?

Are you finding yourself increasingly prone to doom-scrolling - or looking at content that is negative, scary, or traumatic?

It is no secret that our internet and media viewing habits can have an immense impact on our mental health.

As a therapist, I often check in with my clients about the kinds and amounts of media they consume on any given day.

This can provide important insight into seeing if there are any connections between current physical or mental health symptoms and media use.

For a list of actionable strategies you can start using today to support improved mental wellness around media usage, check out the article by Real Simple.

Cultivating peace and creating optimal conditions for mental wellness can literally be at your finger tips.

If you find yourself engaged in media usage more than you'd like, or you are highly impacted by what you are seeing, feel free to reach out to me or another therapist for professional support.

Wishing you wellness!

Are you consuming the news—or is the news consuming you? Here are some ways to care for your headspace during upsetting times, according to psychologists.

11/03/2022

Such a powerful and important reminder from Brown Girl Self-Care.

How many times have you went all in for others, but tapped yourself out in the process?

How often have you stretched yourself to the brink for others, but had nothing left for yourself?

How many times have you poured into others for their betterment, only to find your own cup empty to your own detriment?

Self-care is the nurturing we give to ourselves. It fills our cup. It heals our hurts. It has the power to support our growth and transformation.

You are worthy of caring for your self today.

What kinds of things will you do to pour into your cup?

Reaching out to a therapist can help you uncover what is getting in the way of your self-care and develop effective strategies for learning how to prioritize your well being.

Wishing you wellness!

Pick up this message y’all. You betta go hard for your happiness and do it unapologetically. It’s scary how easy it is for Black women to put ourselves last all the time. Every time we do, someone or something else demands more. Make a promise that you will NEVAH again deplete your energy or forgo your happiness. Put your oxygen mask on 1st. Ration out your energy and cares like they are precious resources (because they are).

11/03/2022

Still wondering if now is a good time to seek out a therapist?

Check out this excellent blog post by GoodTherapy for things you may be dealing with that might indicate talking to a therapist may be a helpful thing to do.

There is still a lot of stigma and shame around seeking help, but just like physical health, mental health is part of our overall total health and wellness. It's important to tend to our mental and emotional needs in the same way we

would want to seek care for our physical needs.

Need help figuring out if therapy is right for you at this time? Feel free to call, text, or email me so I can help you in your decision making.

Wishing you wellness!

Now could be the best time to see a therapist. It has been a difficult two years and has probably taken a toll on your mental health. Find a therapist.