Written by: Becky Morales, LCSW-S, Licensed Therapist
World Cancer Day is held every year on February 4th. This international day is focused on raising awareness and education, in addition to calling on individuals and governments worldwide to promote health equity. By the time you’re reading this, it’ll be well after February 4th - and yet, I’m honored to have the opportunity to share a little bit about the impact of cancer on my life and why I choose to focus on supporting others impacted by cancer in my work.
Written by Kayla Childs, Marketing & Digital Communications Manager at Colors of Austin Counseling
In an industry, culture (and nation) that is primarily ran by the majority, Colors of Austin Counseling stands as a testament to the power of the minority and how organizations like us can have a lasting impact in the mental health landscape. Here’s what it’s like working in a minority-majority organization…
Written by Kim Jenkins, LMSW, Licensed Therapist
Sometimes it’s really hard to do things!
With the winter holiday season upon us as I write this, it feels to me like we’re at a perfect moment to think about executive (dys)function. This particular stretch of weeks can be extremely demanding and overstimulating, not to mention charged with complex emotions, memories, and relationship dynamics. Facing down tasks like visiting with family members you don’t often see, navigating various social expectations, buying groceries during the busiest retail season of all, and generally tying up the loose ends of the year can be utterly exhausting. For these reasons and more, maybe it’s become fairly socially acceptable to voice feelings of overwhelm and burnout during this time of year.
Written by Alyssa Ray, LMSW, LCSW-Associate, Licensed Therapist
The holidays are quickly approaching which can be a stressful time for many of us. It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season and forget to give ourselves the self-care we need. When we are in busy seasons it can be difficult to prioritize self-care or feel like we don’t have the resources available to us to practice our usual self-care but there is one thing we always have access to: nature.
Nature-based therapy is a holistic approach that incorporates components of the natural environment to provide relief for mental and physical health issues. It incorporates talk therapy and elements of nature to help individuals work through their feelings. It is versatile and can be used in many different settings; virtually or in person, individually or with groups, inside or outside. It can involve activities such as hiking, gardening, sitting outside, or using nature-based metaphors to provide emotional relief.
Written by Marissa Lecaros, LMFT-Associate, Licensed Therapist
As we approach the Holiday season, it is important to be mindful of language used towards food and body as there could be someone you love struggling with disordered eating or body image issues. Holidays can bring up this eating disorder “part” or “voice” in some individuals that will be hyper aware of comments made, and then yell at this individual to resort back to disordered eating behaviors to protect them from sadness, judgment, shame, fear, etc.
As a Latinx woman, I can understand how culture plays a role in language used and how at times it might not be intentional to make shameful comments towards someone, and yet I challenge you to consider breaking the norm for yourself or for someone else who may be struggling. When I was young my body was often commented on, and I remember being told right before college by many “don’t get the freshman 15”. Although I am aware of my body privilege, those comments led to me believing I had to keep up and continue being as thin as I could be to receive love and be worthy of affection and care… Which then led to restrictive eating, compulsive exercise, labeling foods as “good” and “bad”, yo-yo dieting, etc. People did not have to straight up tell me “when you are smaller I like you more”, it is just what my brain and society created me to believe. Eating Disorders & Body Image issues can show up for any one - there is no weight or body requirement, no specific race or ethnicity, no specific gender… It can happen to any human being. Which is why it is so important to be mindful of the actual behaviors and not body size or weight.
Have you ever wondered, "What is art journaling? How do you use it in therapy?" Let me walk you through a therapeutic activity that I frequently use with clients and in my groups.
And, if you're interested in joining our Spring 2018 Art Journaling group, click HERE to sign up!
Warmly,
Vanessa
