Always A Better You: Counseling, Coaching, and Mediation Services

07/23/2025

🌟 I wanted to get back to about two words that often get mixed up: "alone" and "lonely." While they may seem similar, the meanings can be quite different! Being alone can be a peaceful and empowering experience, allowing for self-reflection and growth. On the other hand, loneliness can feel heavy and isolating, even in a crowd.

Have you ever felt the difference between these two states? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! 💬 Let's create a space for understanding and connection. How do you find joy in your alone time, or what strategies do you use to combat feelings of loneliness? Your insights could inspire someone else! 💖

07/22/2025

A good introduction on addiction from my good friend and fellow therapist Steve Sawyer .

07/19/2025

As we age, many realize the connection between our physical health and our mental health. How can we improve both? With exercise and walking is simple and very effective. Want to make it even more so? Step up the pace a little.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/16/health/walking-cadence-mobility-speed-endurance-wellness?utm_source=cnn_LBB+2025+automated&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=8EUWXsrq11tkcorwwcTj%2BtRHfww7JSpcCYoDhI%2BffYb6zsWlpnQAlcM7326FP5Qm&bt_ts=1752926463427

Increasing your walking cadence by 14 steps can improve mobility and endurance in older adults, according to a new study.

07/18/2025

If you are feeling lonely, not only can that impact your mental health, it can also impact your physical health. Please connect with others here and in the physical world. It matters!!

How is loneliness connected to diabetes? In a tech-heavy world, social connections protect not just your mind, but your body, too.

07/18/2025

When I talk with my clients about loneliness, I share with them that in my philosophy there's a difference of being alone and being lonely.

Personally, I am self-employed and work by myself and live by myself. Through my role as therapist, I interact with clients, but I spend a lot of time alone.

I rarely feel lonely, because I have family and friends that I get together with regularly, or talk with them over the phone. These interactions prevent loneliness, though as mentioned, I spend more time with myself.

Why is this important? Because loneliness is bad for our mental health, and researchers are also finding that it's not good for our physical health either.

Here's an article discussing this. I will be following up with this topic.

How is loneliness connected to diabetes? In a tech-heavy world, social connections protect not just your mind, but your body, too.

07/08/2025

Thinking about therapy and not sure if you want to do in person or telehealth? Well...it seems as though both are equally effective, so it may be more about preference than being in person or on-line. I want you to know I do either or, a hybrid of both for some of my clients. Let me know if I can be of assistance?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/online-therapy-as-effective-as-in-person-therapy-finds-large-study/ar-AA1IcXX5?ocid=msedgntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=27cd7ca4176944c38adb01cf9a939a1d&ei=12

When COVID arrived early in 2020, pandemic restrictions made in-person mental health care difficult or impossible. Both therapists and patients had to adapt almost overnight. For many in the field, it felt like a gamble: could this screen-based format offer the same level of support for people strug...

07/05/2025

A week or so ago, I posted about an article the Vagus nerve and how important it is for regulation. Here's some more great information.

🌿💫 Hey everyone, let's delve into a fascinating aspect of trauma healing: the incredible role of the vagus nerve in our journey towards healing and resilience. 🧠✨

💡 The vagus nerve, a prominent part of our autonomic nervous system, plays a vital role in our body's response to stress and trauma. It's like the communication superhighway between our brain and major organs, impacting how we feel emotionally and physically. 🌟

🧘‍♀️ One powerful way to approach trauma recovery is by understanding and engaging with the vagus nerve. This complex nerve can influence our stress response, emotional regulation, and even our capacity for connection and trust. Activating and stimulating the vagus nerve can promote a state of calm and help us regain a sense of safety and control over our own bodies and experiences. 🌸✨

🌬️ Deep breathing exercises, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and certain meditative practices are known to activate the vagus nerve. These techniques encourage a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduced feelings of anxiety—crucial aspects of healing from trauma. By stimulating the vagus nerve, we're essentially tapping into our body's innate ability to self-regulate and restore balance. 🌱

🌈 As we learn to engage with our vagus nerve and nurture its function, we empower ourselves in the healing process. It's like finding an inner ally that supports us as we navigate the complex terrain of trauma recovery. Let's honor the wisdom of our bodies and embrace holistic approaches to healing, recognizing the profound role the vagus nerve plays in our well-being. 🌿🌼

💖 Together, let's continue on this journey of understanding and supporting each other's healing paths. We all possess an incredible capacity for resilience and growth, and by tapping into our body's innate mechanisms, we can move towards a place of peace, joy, and authentic connection. 🌟🌿 🌈

07/05/2025

Want to increase your chance of living a little longer? Add some good friends to your life. A little light on friends, here's a good read on how to make it happen.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/30/health/how-to-make-friends-tips-wellness?utm_source=cnn_LBB+2025+automated&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=WWE6EMs6BDljRgke1hvd8Me8ZeCn4JysEkS71ZcygoyzDnPTyxxyZ79psYNGUoW6&bt_ts=1751716857633

Here are ways to meet potential friends, be a better conversationalist and maintain those relationships.

06/28/2025

Do you suffer from anxiety? Have you ever had a panic attack? If so, did you know there are ways you can naturally help yourself calm down?

Perhaps you have heard of the Vagus Nerve, a nerve in our body that controls our regulation or in this case, dysregulation.

This article describes the Vagus Nerve in more details and a few ways you can regulate yourself with cold water, or ice if handy.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/applying-ice-to-underarms-why-experts-recommend-it-to-activate-the-vagus-nerve/amp_articleshow/122102103.cms

Experts explain that exposing the body to cold triggers a reflex called the diving response, which activates the vagus nerve. For example, splashing c

06/24/2025

Just wanted to put this out there, in case you know anyone who is looking for a therapist or perhaps they may not be looking but still need one. If you know what I mean? ha ha ha

06/23/2025

Find yourself becoming frustrated and short fused. There are reasons behind this and also ways to cope.

Here's a good article that explains how we become dysregulated and how we can requlate ourselves back to a cool place.

If you need some help in this area, feel free to reach out.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/exactly-why-mean-youre-overstimulated-152627504.html

No, you're not a bad person. Here's what's really going on, according to science.

06/20/2025

Public Service Announcement. Those of you in the MKE area, stay cool both physically and mentally this weekend. It is going to be a hot one!!