Velora Therapy

03/20/2026

We will be attending the ”Under the Dome” event at the IL state capitol on 3/25 to advocate for mental health legislation and help raise public awareness! We look forward to sharing what we learn with you!

03/17/2026

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

03/13/2026

🚨EXHALE. LOWER YOUR TONGUE, BECAUSE THAT'S LIKELY STUCK TO THE TOP OF YOUR MOUTH. SHAKE YOUR JAW SIDE TO SIDE. RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS. Now listen.
Mindfulness is a skill that I struggle with, even as a seasoned therapist. I have a running commentary in my head that repeats all day long, and it starts out by saying, "I need to...," followed by the thing I "need" to do.
🤔What is a need? It is a requirement. It is fundamental to our survival. Examples: water and shelter.
🤫 To quiet that monologue is challenging. First, you have to challenge those distracting thoughts. Examples:
🍽️ I do not need to get up and put away the dishes. I will survive.
📈 I do not need to run those reports right now. I will survive.
👕 I do not need to fold those clothes today, and I will not pass away if they stay in the dryer for another day!
⏰ Set an intention to check yourself daily. Even for five minutes, keep your brain operating in the present tense. 🧘‍♀️Ground yourself! Meditate! Just be aware of your thoughts and what's driving them.
Here is a picture of my mom's cat Murphy, clearly grounding herself, for tax.
🌞 Have a great weekend!

03/09/2026

🧠✨ Therapist confession: I am a huge brain nerd.

Like…the kind of person who gets genuinely excited about things like why sunlight boosts your mood, why your brain panics over emails, or why your nervous system sometimes decides a grocery store is basically a haunted house. If there’s a podcast, book, or study about the brain, I’m probably already halfway through it with a cup of coffee and a very enthusiastic highlighter. 🤓

The good news? All that dorky curiosity means I spend a lot of time learning how brains heal, regulate, and get unstuck. And I love helping people understand what’s actually happening inside their heads so things start to make more sense (and feel more manageable).

If your brain has been:
• anxious
• overwhelmed
• stuck in overdrive
• or just generally being a little dramatic

You’re not broken. Your brain is trying to protect you. Sometimes it just needs a little help learning a new playbook.

If you’ve been thinking about therapy, this is your sign to reach out. I’d love to help.

📅 You can schedule an appointment with Velora Therapy and we’ll start figuring things out together. www.veloratherapy.com

And yes…there will absolutely be some enthusiastic brain facts along the way. 🧠💛

03/08/2026

Today we celebrate the women who build, nurture, create, lead, heal, organize, inspire, and show up for their communities every single day.
So many things exist simply because of the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women — the ones running businesses, raising families, supporting friends, chasing big ideas, and still finding ways to lift others up along the way.

Here’s to the women who refuse to shrink, who claim space at the table (or build their own), and who remind us that success looks a thousand different ways. Here's to the incredible women advocating for others and tirelessly working to uphold social justice in the face of adversity! 💖✨

Happy International Women’s Day to every woman in our community. We see you. We celebrate you. And we’re grateful to grow alongside you. 🌸✨

03/05/2026

Here is the follow-up to last week's instructions for planting peppers! I got mine in the soil 6 days ago and I already have a bunch of little sprouts!

🌱Here is what to do after gathering the pepper planting supplies I talked about in last week's post.

It is time to plant the seeds! 🫑🌶️

Fill containers with moist seed mix. The Dollar Tree almost always has all of the supplies you need, including the seeds.

Plant seeds ¼ inch deep. 📏

Lightly cover with soil.

Mist gently. 💦

Cover with dome or plastic.

If you are growing more than one type of pepper, label everything. Future you will not remember what was what. Trust me. 🙄

Now, let's give them some warmth. ☀️

Put trays/containers in the the warmest spot in your house.

Expect germination in 7–21 days depending on variety and mood of the universe. 😊

Keep your soil damp, not soggy, and warm, not chilly.

Light = Power 💡

Once sprouts appear:

Remove the cover, place under grow lights or in a very sunny window.

Give sprouts 14–16 hours of light per day

Leggy plants = not enough light = sad spaghetti stems. 🍝 No está bueno.

Continue to follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram by searching for Velora Therapy and I will post pictures of my baby pepper plants. 🌶️🫑

Spring is coming! Hang in there! 🌱

02/28/2026

Black mental wellness deserves visibility — not just for a day, but every day.

This Black History Month, we’ve recognized diverse voices and experiences while underscoring that mental health equity is essential to overall health, safety, and opportunity.

Today, on , we continue to elevate conversations about stigma, center culturally responsive care, and reaffirm the importance of community-based solutions.

Black mental wellness is shaped by strength, resilience, advocacy, and collective care. It also requires access, investment, and systems change.

As Black History Month comes to a close, our commitment continues.

Learn more and join the movement at nami.org/chea, and explore the Crisis Can’t Wait campaign at nami.org/crisiscantwait.

02/28/2026

I recently overheard a conversation regarding an individual seeking a psychological assessment to reinstate their driver's license following a DUI incident. It was noted that those who pursue such services often encounter unfavorable treatment, described as scary, shameful, and intimidating. I am preparing to return to school this week so that I can provide these types of assessments in a supportive environment for this demographic. My goal is to contribute positively to both my community and others by ensuring individuals who pose a risk are kept off the roads. More information to come! Your best compliment is a referral to my practice! Like and share!

02/23/2026

Here are the weekly announcements and what we are up to at Velora Therapy this week! 🌱

Good Monday Morning! ☀️

We are getting closer to Spring, and if you know me, you know I love to garden! 🌱This weekend, I’ll be starting my teeny-tiny seeds for pepper plants. I am a self-proclaimed poblano pepper hoarder, but I’m curious—have you ever grown your own peppers?

If you want to try a little "dirt therapy" with me, it is incredibly easy. We can do it together!

🛍️Here is your Shopping & Scavenger Hunt List:

Pepper Seeds: Grab your favorite variety (Bell, Jalapeño, etc.) at any hardware store or garden center.

Seed-Starting Mix: Look for a "soil-less" mix. It’s lighter and fluffier than regular potting soil, which helps those tiny roots breathe.

Containers (Time to Repurpose!): You don't need anything fancy. Old yogurt cups or plastic tubs work great—just poke a few drainage holes in the bottom.

A Spray Bottle: This is the best way to water early on so you don't accidentally wash away the seeds.

Warmth & Light: A sunny windowsill is perfect, but the top of the fridge is a great "secret" warm spot for germination!

I'll be sharing the next steps in our pepper journey in the next weekly announcement, so get your supplies! I’d love to hear if you decide to join me!

📅I will be out of the office next week for a training opportunity on Tuesday, March 3, Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5. I will be cancelling/rescheduling appointments on these days. I will be reaching out to each of you with options for rescheduling. I will be opening some evening and weekend appointments, for next week only, in order to reduce the amount of cancellations this will cause. I appreciate your understanding on this matter and apologize for the short notice. I always strive to offer additional services for our clients and this training will help to fulfill that goal.

As always, I hope you have a rewarding week! Stay tuned for your next pepper planting instructions!

☀️Have the best week,

Scarlett

Welcome to Velora Therapy, where every story is valued. We celebrate diversity and honor the unique experiences that shape who you are.

02/19/2026

I saw this at my own therapist's office. I ABSOLUTELY have my own therapist! We are strongly encouraged to do so by our governing boards. I love being a therapist and going to therapy!
Need a therapist? Message us today! We can see you within 48 hours!
618-777-6670 - we accept appointment requests via text.
www.veloratherapy.com

02/18/2026

Get some sun!!

02/16/2026

What are we doing at Velora Therapy this week? Well, here is an example!

🎨 Tiny Hope Craft: “Pocket Positivity Jar” 🫙

For this week’s mood-lifting mission, you’re invited to make something small but mighty.

What you need:
• Any small container (jar, cup, envelope, or bag)
• Paper (scrap paper works beautifully)
• Pen or marker

How to make it:

Cut your paper into little strips.

On each strip, write one of the following:
• something that helped you recently
• something you’re proud of
• something that makes you feel calmer
• something kind you’d say to a friend

Put the strips into your container.

Decorate the outside however you want. Stickers, doodles, tape, chaos. All valid.

How to use it:
When your mood dips, pull out one strip and read it.
You are literally outsourcing hope to future-you.

No artistic talent required. This is about creating something comforting, not something perfect. 🖍️

Have the best week!
Scarlett

If you are just learning about us, visit us over at www.veloratherapy.com ! Feel free to message us any questions right here!

Welcome to Velora Therapy, where every story is valued. We celebrate diversity and honor the unique experiences that shape who you are.