Free From Baggage Counseling Services

06/25/2021

My husband surprised me with this license plate tonight. LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) I love it!

04/03/2021

This is a fantastic article. I pencourage many of these techniques in my sessions.

There are many ways a person can boost their self-esteem. Therapy can help a person set goals, challenge negative thoughts, and practice self-compassion.

02/18/2021

Unfortunately, shame is reinforced by friends, family, and other people with influence. Im keeping it vague but I have talked with multiple clients who have had people in a position of authority reinforce someone's shame. Thus creating self-hatred.

I'm a therapist who will support, validate and empathize. If you need some relief from the bandage of shame, contact me for an appointment.
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02/17/2021

Let me help you get unstuck and find a new formula.DM me for an appointment. Telehealth available..

02/03/2021

Multiple clients have told me that they are ready to die. These same clients also are made to feel guilty by loved ones for being ready. They ask my clients not to talk like that...and my clients are left to feel selfish for feeling that way. But it is my opinion that the friends and family are the selfish ones.

I once had a client who admittedly was angry with his wife for "giving up" . She had renal failure plus other medical conditions. Fast forward to his own medical problems that worsened to the point of amputated limbs. He looked at me with all sincerity and said, "all those years I resented her, but now I understand "

I told a more recent client that upon hearing about her death, I will be happy for her. She began to weep. She said basically a stranger is giving her (acceptance) what she needs.

01/26/2021

Snagged this from a friends page. It is true. We do give up on ourselves very quickly. I know for me, personally, I need a goal. So that's step 1. Set a goal. Step 2. Take action and step 3 keep going until you reach it. Sometimes it is a goal that needs to have subgoals- smaller goals, prior to reaching your set goal.

01/14/2021

Guilt is an emotion that serves no real purpose. It only tears you apart. And because of guilt, people have anger that they turn inward, an end up getting depressed. I was listening to a client talk about guilt and all I could think was, she is abusing herself.

Our mistakes should be used for growth, not condemnation..

Often times, our guilt isn't even logical. For example, guilt over something you had no control over such as a death of a loved one. .

Call me for a telehealth appointment to overcome your guilt. I can help you with cognitive strategies that will give you the self care you need.

12/30/2020

I asked a client, are you depressed and they responded, "Its that time of year." This is true, both clinically and situationally for many but it doesn't have to be. We can change our perspective about the holidays. Instead of telling yourself that you dread the holidays, tell yourself permission to see some positives. Focus on others and be of service and you will see your depressive symptoms lift.

12/11/2020

Don't let all your baggage pile up. Let be your baggage handler. DM me for an appt.

12/04/2020

Deep meaningful can satisfy a lot of our needs. I remember a friend giving me some very good advice when I was complaining about my husband not meeting a need. I complained and she offered this, "he will not be able to meet everything you need, thats not his job. So find friends to fill that." I did exactly that . It took my unrealistic expectations off of my very loving husband. It freed him to give me what he could and I was able to embrace my friendship. I already had these friends in my life and they were exactly who and what I need. I just had to change my perspective.
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thanks for the advice
I love our new friendship.
love us
love us
love us and I cant find maria, but yall rock friendship. I have wonderful friends that have been seasonal friends, acquaintance friends and of course my recovery friends. Yall really get me!

12/01/2020

If we stared in the rear view mirror we'd crash. And thats what happens in a figurative sense. We get depressed over shame and regret of the past. What's done is done. If you haven't made an amends, make it and make it right. If you have or an amends is not warranted, let it go! Look forward. Set a new goal. Make a plan.

11/30/2020

Today in spin class at Cyclebar, Tracy played this song. Throughout the ride, I thought of many relationships/friendships that I am grateful for but one stood out the most. My kids! I had 10 years of infertility, 6 failed IUI, 2 failed IVFs. THAT broken road led me straight to adoption. People use to pitch "just adopt." I heard it as giving up, but today, I would not change a thing. My kids are not biological but they are mine and I am their real parent.

So if you are on a difficult journey, push through it and you will look back and be thankful. At the time, I was so angry. And if I knew then what I know now, I'd go through it all again , ust to be where I am today.

My kids are 12, 13, and 14 years old. They are biological siblings. They were in foster care ( we ran out of money to go through an adoption agency and so glad we did so we could adopt a sibling group.) They were officially adopted at 11, 22, and 33 months. I love the gift their biological parents gave me ( they relinquished rights and made a plan for their life.) Bio parent are my heros who can give unselfishly.