Sage Minds Counseling

08/07/2025

You’re allowed to grieve what could have been.

Grief doesn’t always come from loss through death.
Sometimes it’s about the absence of what we needed—love, protection, connection, opportunity.

This type of grief can feel confusing. It’s often quiet, hidden, even dismissed. But it’s real. And it deserves space.

Examples of Things We Grieve (That Never Happened):
The loving parent you didn’t have
The safe childhood you deserved
The partner who never showed up for you emotionally
The apology that never came
The version of you that never got to exist
The dream you had to let go of
The support you needed and didn’t receive
A relationship that never became what you needed

If no one ever told you this:
It makes sense that it still hurts.
You didn’t imagine it.
You deserved more.
And grieving that is part of healing.

07/31/2025

The Inner Critic often forms from early experiences—like critical caregivers, trauma, or high-pressure environments—and it tries (in its own flawed way) to protect you from rejection, shame, or failure.

Ways to Begin Healing the Inner Critic:

- Name It ~ Give your inner critic a name or persona. This helps separate it from your identity.

- Identify the Triggers ~ Notice when and where it shows up:
After making a mistake?
When you’re resting?
In relationships?

- Challenge the Beliefs ~ Ask:
Is this voice based on truth or fear?
What’s the evidence for and against this thought?
Whose voice might this originally be?

- Practice Reparenting ~ Respond with what you needed to hear:
“You did your best.”
“It’s okay to be human.”
“You’re allowed to make mistakes.”

- Practice Using Compassionate Self-Talk ~ Speak to yourself like you would a close friend or child you care for

07/24/2025

Choosing the Right Modality-
How to Choose What’s Right for You

Consider your goals and comfort level

Some modalities are more structured, others exploratory

It’s okay to try and shift—therapy is not one-size-fits-all

Be honest with your therapist with what you feel is working or not working for your healing journey

07/22/2025

Taking time to slow down, reflect, and journal is a powerful way to connect with your inner world.

🖊️ Journaling doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need the “right” words.
Just curiosity. Honesty. Compassion.

✨ Remember: Writing helps bring awareness to what’s been sitting beneath the surface. Sometimes clarity comes through the pen.

You’re allowed to show up exactly as you are—confused, healing, unsure, or hopeful.

07/18/2025

🎉🎉 Happy 3-Year Work Anniversary to our incredible Office Manager, JODY! 🎉🎉

She’s the Charlie to our Angels — the brains behind the scenes, the keeper of all things organized, and our #1 protector from chaos (and liability 😅).

From her cozy corner in the beautiful PNW, she keeps Sage Minds running like a dream — all while being the proud fur-mom to our beloved practice mascot, Percy! 🐾💼

Jody, we seriously don’t know what we’d do without you. Thank you for three amazing years — here’s to many more! 🥂💜

07/17/2025

🌟Signs You’re Healing (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

🧵You’re recognizing patterns faster.
🧩You pause before reacting.
🧡You feel your feelings, even when they’re uncomfortable.
🪞You’re more honest—with others and yourself.
🌱You’re unlearning guilt tied to rest.
🧠You’re no longer afraid of saying, “I don’t know, but I’m learning.”
💬You reach out for support instead of isolating.
👏You are forgiving yourself—not because it erases the past, but because you deserve peace.

07/16/2025

Most of us have heard of the Flight, Fight or Freeze responses, but are you familiar with the Fawn response? This is a great article explaining what it is. Happy Reading!

Your people-pleasing habit isn't a personality quirk. It could, in fact, be a deep-rooted trauma response you’ve never even questioned.

07/16/2025

Hello Wylie ISD Educators! Did you know the Wylie ISD Education Foundation funded $225k in Teacher Grants last school year?? We LOVE 💕 supporting our teachers! Make sure to submit your application for a chance to get your grant funded for 2025-2026 school year!

07/14/2025

🧠💛 Teacher Wellness Giveaway 💛🧠
As mental health counselors, we at Sage Minds Counseling know how much emotional labor, time, and personal expense teachers invest every single day. Supporting student growth while managing your own well-being is no small task—so we want to give back in a tangible way.

Sage Minds Counseling will be gifting ONE item from the Amazon Classroom Wish List of the first 20 verified teachers who complete the steps below:

✨ Like this page
✨ Share this post
✨ Comment with your Amazon Wish List link
✨ Be able to verify current employment as a teacher

This is just a small gesture to say:
You’re doing an incredible job—and you deserve support, too.

💬 Not a teacher? You can still make an impact:
🔁 Share this post
🎁 Consider donating to a wish list in the comments
📣 Tag a teacher who deserves to be celebrated

Let’s create a ripple of care for those who show up every day for our kids. Together, we can lighten their load—one gift at a time. 💛

07/10/2025

It’s okay to move slowly. Healing isn’t a race.

Your pace doesn’t define your progress—your intention does. Whether you’re taking big steps or just getting through the day, what matters most is that you’re headed toward what feels right and true for you. 💛
You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to pause. What matters is that you're moving in a direction that honors your values, your needs, and your healing.

💡 Here are a few gentle reminders of what slow, intentional progress can look like:
Choosing to say no to something that drains you, even if it’s hard
Taking a day to rest without guilt, knowing your body and mind need it
Setting a boundary, even if it’s imperfect
Journaling or reflecting instead of reacting
Asking for help instead of pushing through alone
Showing up to therapy, even when it’s uncomfortable
Letting go of timelines and honoring your emotional pace
Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have to be fast. Trust your direction. Honor your pace.

07/05/2025

When a child comes forward about abuse, how you respond matters. Remaining calm shows them they’re safe and supported. Avoid reacting with shock or anger—this could make them feel like they’ve done something wrong. Offer reassurance, thank them for their honesty, and let them know they are not alone.

07/03/2025

🎉 Team Spotlight: Our Amazing Owner & Lead Therapist, Jennifer Hughes! 🧠💚

Let’s give a huge shoutout to the one who makes it all happen — for our team and our clients — Jennifer Hughes, the heart behind Sage Minds Counseling!

Jennifer opened Sage Minds in September 2020, and since then, it’s become a trusted name in Wylie, Texas and surrounding communities. Her commitment to excellence, empathy, and innovation has built more than just a practice — it’s built a supportive, empowering space for both clients and clinicians.

💡 What makes Jennifer so special?
Jennifer is:
- A Certified Brainspotting Practitioner
- An EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Consultant
- A Texas-Approved Supervisor for LPC-Associates
Her clinical expertise is top-tier, and she’s passionate about pouring into her team — making sure we’re all trained in the latest trauma-informed modalities so we can offer the very best to our clients.

🌟 But more than that — Jennifer is as real as it gets.
She’s a down-to-earth human who shows up every day to make a difference, one client at a time. Her passion is matched only by her humility and sense of humor.

👩‍👧‍👦 Fun Facts About Jennifer:
- Mom to three awesome kids and four fur babies
- Guilty pleasures: Swiss Cake Rolls, Golden Girls reruns, and true crime binges
- Got a favorite true crime doc or podcast? Let her know — she’s always looking for recommendations!

We’re beyond lucky to have a leader like Jennifer who blends heart, hustle, and humor in everything she does. 💙