Dear Reader, We might not know each other, but if you’ve found this blog, chances are we would get along well and have at least something to talk about. As a counselor, I’m passionate about thoughts, feelings, and relationships. Personally, I’m also into introspection (isn't...
January and February are often busy months in our counseling office, and this year is no exception. A combination of Seasonal Affective Disorder, the post-holiday blues, and the doldrums of West Michigan winter can cause understandable feelings of depression and sadness. I myself have experienced...
Imagine entering a new country and expecting to be fluent in the language. You think “I want to go to France,” so you book a trip and step off the plane thinking that the research and planning you’ve done for your trip will fully equip...
Springtime always seems to bring with it an energy and a busyness that comes out of nowhere, at least for me! Out of the darkness and chill of winter, life bursts forth, and suddenly I’ve got a million items on my to-do list and a...
Greetings, Second Story community! The last time I wrote, we were at the very beginning of what has become a strange and difficult season. I know I speak for all of us here when I say it has been an honor to walk with many...
It's been an... interesting week. If you had told me last week Tuesday or Wednesday that, here in Michigan, all schools would be shut down, businesses closed, events canceled, and people confined to their houses until further notice, I would not have believed you. This...
This blog post is brought to you by the 2004 Anna Nalick single, “Just Breathe,” made especially famous by a fantastic episode of Grey’s Anatomy involving Meredith’s premonitions, a live bomb inside a patient, and Kyle Chandler… Have you all heard this song? Check it...
As the New Year rolls around, many of us are reflecting on the past year and considering what we want to focus on during this next trip around the sun. As I’ve spoken with clients and thought about my own goals, the topic of holistic,...
When I was 23, I had an exceptionally difficult year. If you want to know more about what happened, come talk to me… but suffice it to say I was in rough shape, mentally and emotionally. I recently came across some writing (in the form...
The Stages of Change Do you remember what it was like when you were learning to ride a bike? How to play an instrument, or drive a car? The first few weeks and months may have been a struggle, but the results were so sweet!...