I have been working in the counseling field for over 25 years. I do not take life too seriously and I don’t think anyone else should either. I try to find the humor in life’s little setbacks by working with girls and boys on increasing their confidence and awareness of their individual strengths in the major pillars of life - health/fitness, relationships, work/school, and leisure.
A few years ago, I was strolling through life, not paying attention to the little signs my body was trying to tell me. It took a diagnosis of anxiety for me to realize that things weren’t going as great as I was pretending them to be. Mental health still has a stigma and is perceived as a weakness. Kids especially put on their cute little outfit or their favorite hoodie and hide what is truly going on inside. How could I let anyone know that I was experiencing anxiety and stress, as a practicing therapist? This diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to me. Finally, there was an explanation for how I was feeling and it wasn’t just my personality. I could do something about it. I could make a change.
Have you been there? Have your children been there? Have you been dealing with a hiccup in your life and aren’t courageous enough to share it with others? Don’t you want more for your kids? Anxiety propelled me to start showing up, getting out of her comfort zone and trying new things that I swore I would never do. Acupuncture, meditation, yoga, affirmations, reiki, aromatherapy, journaling, healthier eating, gratitude journal...and the list goes on.
I took the advice that I had been joyfully providing to girls and boys about the importance of being brave and courageous. I started screaming it from the rooftops to anyone that would listen about my anxiety and lack of sleep. Once I started being vulnerable, women flocked to me like a tribe of animals protecting their cub by sharing their own personal struggles and those of their kids. I decided right then that I wanted to be a sounding board for girls and boys, providing them a safe, comfortable, non judgmental space where they could share their most personal, sometimes even funny stories.
Share your story - you may be touching more people than you think. Get your kids to share their stories.
I am passionate about assisting girls and women find solutions while encouraging them to stay in the now and not worry or dwell on the past or future. I help them be brave and shed the layers, allowing their true authentic self to shine through.
How many other girls and boys are silently struggling with the same feelings? We all know these kids.. They are going to school in their pajamas (I am really not sure when this became the norm...LOL) and hoping no one sees them or that they don’t do anything embarrassing that will follow them all through high school. I use enthusiasm, positivity, accountability, and an untamed sense of humor. I find absolute joy in working with girls and boys when they notice the amazing pivot that has taken place in their mind and bodies. They join in the journey of self-exploration while having fun at the same time. Let’s not take life too seriously, unless we really have to.