Family Counseling Associates

Family Counseling Associates Family Counseling Associates' clinicians provide a wide range of mental health services including counseling, medication management, and psychological testing.

We are located in Andover MA, Beverly MA, Danvers MA, Burlington MA, Bedford NH and Exeter NH!

🍽️🧠 Hunger vs. Emotional Hunger: What’s the difference?Physical hunger is your body’s biological signal that it needs en...
02/20/2026

🍽️🧠 Hunger vs. Emotional Hunger: What’s the difference?

Physical hunger is your body’s biological signal that it needs energy. It typically develops gradually and may be felt as stomach growling, low energy, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. Physical hunger is usually satisfied by a range of foods and leads to a sense of fullness.
Emotional hunger is driven by feelings rather than physical need. It can appear suddenly and is often linked to stress, boredom, sadness, anxiety, or habit. Emotional hunger may feel urgent and be connected to specific comfort foods, and eating may not lead to lasting satisfaction.

📚 Why this matters:
Both types of hunger are real and valid. Understanding the difference can help you respond more intentionally — whether that means nourishing your body, addressing an emotional need, or both. This awareness supports a healthier relationship with food and can reduce guilt or confusion around eating.

💡 Try a gentle pause before eating:
• What am I feeling right now?
• When did I last eat?
• What might help me feel more supported in this moment?

👉 Learn more about mental health, nutrition, and supportive strategies at http://spr.ly/6180h9jey

Ever wonder why staying on task feels impossible? It might be ADHD and many adults don’t realize it until later in life....
02/17/2026

Ever wonder why staying on task feels impossible? It might be ADHD and many adults don’t realize it until later in life.

http://spr.ly/6188hZm3E

🍽️🧠 Why there aren’t “good” and “bad” foodsMany of us have been taught to label food as good, bad, clean, or junk. But t...
02/16/2026

🍽️🧠 Why there aren’t “good” and “bad” foods

Many of us have been taught to label food as good, bad, clean, or junk. But this way of thinking comes from diet culture — and it can lead to guilt, shame, and an unhealthy relationship with food.

✨ The all-foods-fit approach offers a different perspective:
All foods provide energy, and no single food defines your health, discipline, or worth. Nutrition isn’t about morality — it’s about balance, nourishment, and flexibility.
Research shows that labeling foods as “bad” can increase stress around eating and make it harder to listen to your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. Removing these labels helps people build a more sustainable, supportive relationship with food.

💡 What all-foods-fit means:
• Allowing variety in meals and snacks
• Making room for enjoyment and nourishment
• Letting go of guilt around eating
• Focusing on overall patterns — not perfection

👉 Learn more about nutrition and mental well-being at: http://spr.ly/6183hZYVz

🧠🎧 What you eat can affect how you think, feel, and function.In Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, nutrition expert Patrick...
02/11/2026

🧠🎧 What you eat can affect how you think, feel, and function.
In Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, nutrition expert Patrick Holford explores the science behind how food influences mood, memory, focus, and brain performance. Research increasingly shows that nutrition plays a meaningful role in supporting mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall cognitive health.

This listen covers:
• How nutrients support brain chemistry
• The connection between diet and mood
• Why fueling your brain matters just as much as fueling your body
Understanding the mind–nutrition connection can help you make more informed choices that support both mental and physical well-being.

👉 Listen here: http://spr.ly/6180hPoVg

🚶‍♀️📆 Movement plan: A 30-day challenge to a healthier youMovement doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing to make a differenc...
02/06/2026

🚶‍♀️📆 Movement plan: A 30-day challenge to a healthier you

Movement doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing to make a difference. This worksheet helps you create a realistic, personalized movement plan — one that fits your life, your energy, and your goals.

📝 How to use this worksheet:
1️⃣ Set a simple movement goal (like reducing stress or staying active)
2️⃣ Identify your “why” — what matters most to you
3️⃣ Choose movement you actually enjoy
4️⃣ Plan small, doable ways to move each day
5️⃣ Track how you feel before, during, and after
✨ Research shows that consistent, enjoyable movement supports both physical and mental well-being — and even small steps can add up over time.

👉 Find the worksheet here: http://spr.ly/6183hJ7iB

Partnerships matter. 💙Thank you to our amazing referral partners for the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to ...
02/04/2026

Partnerships matter. 💙

Thank you to our amazing referral partners for the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to care. We’re always excited to build new relationships and grow together.

Meet the Team! 🍃Emily Gaudion, LCMHCPsychotherapist – Bedford, NH🌳I've always been fascinated with the human brain and h...
02/03/2026

Meet the Team! 🍃
Emily Gaudion, LCMHC
Psychotherapist – Bedford, NH

🌳I've always been fascinated with the human brain and human behavior since I was in elementary school, and that interest grew into an undergraduate major in Psychology, and later to a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. It's always such an honor to play a role in someone's healing journey and to walk beside them through the treatment process. I'm constantly blown away by the strength my clients have and their ability to change their habits, learn new skills, build self-confidence, and strengthen their interpersonal relationships.

Want to get in touch? 🤝
www.fca-andover.com

🧠🌱 The importance of gut health — and why it matters for more than digestionYour “gut feeling” isn’t just a saying. Tril...
02/02/2026

🧠🌱 The importance of gut health — and why it matters for more than digestion
Your “gut feeling” isn’t just a saying. Trillions of microorganisms live in your digestive system, forming a complex ecosystem that helps break down food, absorb nutrients, and support your digestive, immune, hormonal, and nervous systems.

Emerging research also suggests this gut ecosystem may influence mood, stress, and anxiety, highlighting the strong connection between gut health and mental well-being.

⚠️ Signs your gut health may be off balance can include:
• Gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
• Stomach pain or heartburn
• Ongoing fatigue or poor sleep
• Mood changes like increased stress or anxiety
Disruptions can happen for many reasons — including illness, chronic conditions, or medications like antibiotics — which is why persistent or severe symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

🥦 Supporting gut health
Research shows that having a diverse mix of beneficial bacteria is key. One proven way to support this balance is through nutrition — especially eating a variety of fiber-rich foods that help nourish these microorganisms.

👉 Learn more ways to support your overall well-being here: http://spr.ly/6184hGwB2

🧘‍♀️✨ Tune out distractions. Tune in to you.Life is full of noise — notifications, screens, to-do lists, and constant de...
01/27/2026

🧘‍♀️✨ Tune out distractions. Tune in to you.

Life is full of noise — notifications, screens, to-do lists, and constant demands. Taking even a few intentional moments to quiet the distractions can help you feel more centered, present, and aware.

🌿 Small ways to tune out the noise:
• Silence notifications or step away from screens
• Use headphones, calming music, or natural sounds
• Focus on one task at a time
• Create a clutter-free space
• Set boundaries and ask for a few minutes to yourself
• Prioritize rest, nourishment, and quality sleep

🧠 Even 5–10 minutes of mindfulness or meditation can help improve focus and mental clarity over time.
There’s no one “right” way to reset — it’s about finding what works for you.

👉 Explore more tools and strategies to support your mental well-being here: http://spr.ly/6189hBKqL

💛 Self-worth and self-esteem aren’t the same — and that matters.✨ Self-worth is how you value yourself at your core. It’...
01/13/2026

💛 Self-worth and self-esteem aren’t the same — and that matters.

✨ Self-worth is how you value yourself at your core. It’s the belief that you are worthy of love, kindness, and respect — no matter what.

📉 Self-esteem is more situational and can dip after things like job stress, breakups, or tough feedback.

🚩 Signs you may be struggling:
• Being overly critical of yourself
• Dismissing compliments
• Focusing on mistakes
• Avoiding new things out of fear
• Feeling “not good enough”
Low self-worth or self-esteem can keep you stuck and is often linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

💬 Reminder: You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. Growth comes from self-compassion, learning from setbacks, and celebrating small wins.
👉 Learn more strategies for supporting your mental health here: http://spr.ly/6187Cv7hF

🚶‍♀️ Moving more doesn’t have to mean doing more.Did you know: 📊 About 31% of adults and 80% of adolescents don’t meet r...
01/12/2026

🚶‍♀️ Moving more doesn’t have to mean doing more.
Did you know:
📊 About 31% of adults and 80% of adolescents don’t meet recommended physical activity levels
⏱️ Adults need about 150 minutes of moderate movement a week — that’s just 2.5 hours total
✨ Even 5–10 minutes a day can still make a difference

Movement doesn’t require fancy equipment or a gym membership. It can be as simple as:
• Taking the stairs
• Parking farther away
• Stretching between tasks
• Walking, playing, or moving in ways that fit your life

Regular movement can help:
💛 Boost mood and confidence
🧠 Improve focus and thinking
😌 Reduce stress and anxiety
❤️ Support heart, muscle, and bone health

Reminder: the goal is progress, not perfection. Small steps add up.
👉 Learn more strategies for supporting your mental health here: http://spr.ly/6189Cv72T

✨ New year, same human — and that’s okay. ✨Instead of creating resolutions you never set (or feel pressured to keep), tr...
01/06/2026

✨ New year, same human — and that’s okay. ✨
Instead of creating resolutions you never set (or feel pressured to keep), try this instead:

Focus on intention over perfection.
Research shows that sustainable change comes from small, values-based shifts—not all-or-nothing goals. That means checking in with how you want to feel, not just what you want to fix.

💛 Ask yourself:
• What supports my mental well-being right now?
• What’s one habit that feels realistic—not overwhelming?
• Where can I show myself a little more compassion this year?
Growth doesn’t have to start on January 1st. It can start on a Tuesday. It can start quietly. And it can start again—anytime.

Here’s your reminder: progress looks different for everyone, and you’re allowed to take it at your own pace. 👉http://spr.ly/6182CmqMY

Address

12 Essex Street
Andover, MA
01810

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19782223121

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Family Counseling Associates posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Family Counseling Associates:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

A Little About Us!

Family Counseling Associates of Andover's clinicians and medical staff offer compassionate and experienced psychological care. We provide, counseling, medication management, and psychological testing services. We serve Andover MA, North Andover MA, Tewksbury MA, Wilmington MA, Methuen MA, and the surrounding communities.

If you are looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation, or if you are just ready to move in a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email us for a consultation today!