Shannon Mick, NCC, LPC Finish Stronger Counseling

09/04/2025

I opened my counseling spots! If you know anyone in PA who needs support, send them to

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/

- Adults
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Eating Disorders
- Mindset
- Runners

Shannon is providing telemental health services to Pennsylvania residents. She specializes in treating anxiety, trauma and eating disorders.

09/04/2025

I've opened counseling spots!

07/08/2025

Hi! I have kind of a cool announcement to make, and it is due to all of your support.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve seen more growth and potential in my Finish Stronger Mindset and Mental Wellness Coaching business (and the work that I’m doing through Coach Kyle Kranz run coaching, as well), that I’ve decided to temporarily pause my counseling private practice. – There’s still access to all of the free resources on that website.

Also, towards the end of this article, you can read about a few client wins and see what people are saying about working with me.

I do have coaching availability, so if you think that working together will help you nail your goal(s), let’s chat!

https://finishstrongermindsetcoaching.com/2025/07/07/ultrarunners-lets-continue-to-get-outside-of-our-comfort-zones/

06/24/2025

Talks and Workshops for Trail and Ultrarunners

I am currently offering three talks/workshops. Check them out below, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you and finding out what kind of event you are hosting.

1. The Power of Mindfulness in Trail Running. THE POWER IS WITHIN YOURSELF

2. Anxiety vs Depression: Spotting the difference and how to help someone who is struggling with either emotion

3. Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/talks-workshops/

06/19/2025

Did you know that I'm also a mindset and mental wellness coach for ultrarunners?

You can follow along here for more mental wellness content and to follow my ultramarathon training and races:

Shannon Mick Finish Stronger Mindset and Mental Wellness Coaching

Last weekend, I completed the Laurel Highlands Ultra, a very challenging 70.5 mi race that feels like a 100 miler.

I'm currently working on my race report, which will contain a lot of running and mental tips. I learned a lot from this one, especially since I just missed two of my somewhat aggressive goals that I set for myself for this one.

I am accepting new coaching clients...

If you are an ultrarunner and want to dial in your mindset and mental wellness for racing and day-to-day life, visit my coaching page and private message me there with questions you may have. (U.S. only)

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

[I am currently not accepting new counseling clients.]

06/09/2025

Talks and Workshops for Trail and Ultrarunners

I am currently offering three talks/workshops. Check them out below, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you and finding out what kind of event you are hosting.

1. The Power of Mindfulness in Trail Running. THE POWER IS WITHIN YOURSELF

2. Anxiety vs Depression: Spotting the difference and how to help someone who is struggling with either emotion

3. Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain

To learn more details, go to the Talks and Workshops section in the main menu on my website. Link in bio.

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/talks-workshops/

06/08/2025

Big announcement:

I am no longer accepting new clients for my counseling practice. I'm pausing for several months.

If you currently work with me, or worked with me in the past, this doesn't affect you. - I'm still here.

Over the past two or so years, my mindset and mental wellness coaching for ultrarunners business has grown, so I am going to shift my focus there.

I'm SO GRATEFUL for everyone's support over the past five years, thank you!

You can follow along here for more mental wellness content and to follow my ultramarathon training and races:

Shannon Mick Finish Stronger Mindset and Mental Wellness Coaching

I'll be posting some more this week.

If you are an ultrarunner and want to dial in your mindset and mental wellness for racing and day-to-day life, visit my coaching page and private message me there with questions you may have. (U.S. only)

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

05/29/2025

Current office vibes 😻🏵️

05/14/2025

Digital detox tips:

5. Use a "dumb" phone.

Consider transitioning to an older phone. They are actually gaining popularity right now. It will still keep you connected through calls and texts. If this feels like too much of a commitment, then maybe try it out for just one month.

6. Take a tech-free weekend or vacation.

Instead of scrolling on your phone while in the car or a plane, do a puzzle or read a book. Avoid Instagraming or sharing photos. Enjoy your trip!

7. Listen to music on CDs, the car radio, cassettes and vinyl.

If you missed the earlier tips, scroll down.

05/09/2025

Digital detox tips:

1. Buy an old fashioned alarm clock.

People like using their phone's alarm clock because it is convenient, but consider getting used to keeping electronics outside of the bedroom. It is better for us.

Another reason to buy an alarm clock is that since our phone isn't with us, then we aren't tempted to check emails, other notifications, or worse, end up reading upsetting news stories first thing in the morning.

2. Take fewer pictures of things like lattes at the coffee shop.

We can learn to take a mental snapshot and appreciate something without needing a picture. This also helps us to not post it on social media.

Another option is to use an old-fashioned point and click camera. That can be fun!

Recently, my parents bought my 5 year old a cheap camera from Walgreens. It was used up in a day, but a ton of fun for her. They then got them printed out.

3. Take a break from social media.

It can be draining for a number of reasons, even the good stuff. Consider taking a week off and seeing how you feel. Some people have even taken a full month off!

You might feel much lighter.

4. Learn to read an old-fashioned map.

We rely a lot on our phone's GPS to get around. It is important to practice reading a map in case the phone isn't working.

Buy an old-fashioned map or print out directions on paper.

I recently printed out directions around Laurel Highlands because cell phone service is limited. I needed the directions after a trail run to get back into town where my phone could then use GPS.

05/07/2025

Digital detox is a great topic that many of my clients are asking about, so let's talk about it.

Our phones and screens can cause significant distress because they are frequently grasping for our attention. When we turn to them, we can lose touch with reality and the importance of self-care and emotional well-being.

Let's look at the first step in detoxing.

Take inventory of all the digital devices that occupy our time and set limits.

Actively making changes in your device usage will pay dividends. It may take time to see the benefits, and it may be tough at first, but it is a behavior that needs to change. It will pay off in the future.

Once we've identified our devices, figure out how many you find yourself using and how frequently. Is it daily? Monthly? Yearly?

Take notes on what you really use and what you can toss. Have you stopped using something for listening to music or reading?

See if you can limit the number of devices that you reach for by consolidating.

The second step is to delete apps and screen clutter that you no longer use.

You get bonus points for deleting social media apps from your device and only accessing your accounts through a desktop or laptop.

Also, consider deleting duplicate accounts.

Top number three. Monitor your screen time and use the device's built-in tools to help you measure and set boundaries.

If your device doesn't have that ability, then there are apps that you can download to do that.

I am working with a person who downloaded an app and it shuts down the social media apps for her once the time limit she sets is up. Once it closes, she is unable to get back on the app, unless she goes through a lengthy process, which she doesn't want to deal with.

After learning about your habits, try to carve 10 minutes at a time off your daily screen time.

This was just the tip of the iceberg! I'll share some more applicable tips in the next several days. Things that you might not have thought of.

Shannon Mick, NCC, LPC Finish Stronger Counseling

04/29/2025

Goodies that I recently bought to grow with my clients.