Young Adult Counseling and Retreats

11/29/2025

Hi friends, Being a sensitive soul means there may be times when someone has said something insensitive or hurtful to you. This doesn’t feel good and while it’s important to acknowledge your feelings, it’s also important to know that this isn’t your fault and you don’t have to take on anyone else’s “stuff.” It’s ok to walk away, to not respond and to say to yourself, “This isn’t mine. I can let this go.” Just like these beautiful pink flowers are not the same as sunflowers, not everyone has the sensitivity you have. It’s ok to not hold everyone to the same standard. If you truly feel the comment was good spirited, it’s ok to focus on the person’s intentions, not their words. Blue sapphire helps open our throat chakra and encourages us to speak our truth. I hope this tip helps!

11/21/2025

Hi friends, I came upon this beauty on my travels and call it the “throat chakra” fountain. What happens when sensitive souls decide to set healthy boundaries when others are being pushy or bullying them? It may sound like this: “I don’t feel ok with how you’re speaking to me right now-it’s making me feel uncomfortable. How about we press pause and try again when we’re both feeling calm and regulated?” Please use your own words here, but know it is ok to stand up for yourself and use your throat chakra to speak up. This can be hard for people pleasers and kind sensitive souls. Turquoise is a great crystal for supporting us speaking our truth. Please know you’re not alone-I believe in you!

11/15/2025

Hi friends, As a fellow creative sensitive soul, I notice that somatic symptoms of stress can pop up for me. It may be tense shoulders, a headache or a stomachache. What body sensations do you notice when you feel stressed, upset or frazzled? Please pay attention to these and offer your body gentle support and care. EMDR can help with addressing somatic symptoms and how to release these from our bodies and nervous systems. Please feel free to reach out at: rmilsten@hotmail.com, if you want to learn more! Hematite is a great crystal for pain relief and grounding the body’s energy. Please know you’re not alone!

11/08/2025

Hi friends, Whenever I see art, I pause and take it in. Sensitive souls need beauty and art just like plants need water. What makes you stop and take in the world around you? Do you allow yourselves moments of pause throughout the day? Research shows that mindfulness is extremely beneficial for our mental health. Please give yourself permission to pour into you and to cultivate self-care. I know this can be hard, but you’ve got this! Carnelian is a great crystal for promoting inspiration and passion.

11/02/2025

Hi friends, I saw this mural while traveling this summer and wondered: Who is this beautiful woman? Is she struggling with loss, heartbreak or low self esteem? Does she people please and abandon herself for other’s needs and demands? I hope she is strong, takes care of herself and speaks her truth. Whoever she is, I see her an inspiration for others. Whoever can you inspire yourself to show up for your needs, your ability to say no and hold your ground? If you’re struggling with this, please know you’re not alone. Red jasper crystal promotes strength, stability and grounding. I hope this tip helps!

10/27/2025

Hi friends, Walking through sand to get to the beautiful ocean isn’t always easy and neither is walking away from a toxic relationship, whether it’s romantic, friendship or business related. Sometimes we have tried our best to be kind, to be empathetic, and to say and do the right things and it’s just not enough. Sometimes we will be the villain in someone else’s story, no matter what we do. This is a HARD lesson for kind sensitive souls! I’m here to tell you it is ok to bless and release the relationship. Thank the other person silently and say to yourself, “I acknowledge my feelings AND I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn the lessons I needed to learn.” Please know you’re not alone! I believe in you and you will heal. Labrodorite is a beautiful crystal for encouraging spiritual growth.

10/20/2025

Hi friends, Sensitive souls often have the gift of finding the beauty and the hidden connections that others may not see. So, for every time you were told, “You’re too sensitive. You take things too personally”, think of a time you noticed a smile, a vibe, a frisson of energy, a beautiful thing, that others missed. This is a gift. Just like this beautiful stained glass window hidden in an unlikely place, a New York City subway station, you may be hiding your gifts from yourself. It’s time to let your light shine. I believe in you-you’ve got this!

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

Hi friends, Sensitive souls often: 1. Feel “different.” than others. 2. Feel things deeply. 3. Are intuitive & creative. 4. Have to mask their sensitivity. 5. Were told they were “too much”, “too sensitive”, or a “crybaby” as a child. 6. Can get over stimulated by loud noises, bright lights and big crowds. But what if the things you thought were wrong with you are actually gifts? Just like this unique coffee mug in this cool coffee shop, the world needs your kindness, sensitivity, and authentic, deeper perspective. I know this may not be easy to believe, so please know I’m cheering you on! Amber is a beautiful crystal for promoting belief in oneself.

09/26/2025

Hi friends, Here’s an easy daily practice that sensitive souls can do to stay grounded, reduce anxiety and overthinking and calm their nervous systems in a world that doesn’t always support sensitivity. It’s what I call the: 4, 4, 4, and 4 method. Breathing in to a count of 4, hold the breath in for 4 seconds, exhale to a count of 4 and then hold the breath out of the body for 4 beats. Repeat this box breathing 4 times. Maybe try this out in your favorite nature spot, with calming music, like the Solfeggio frequencies or with a cup of something warm and a furry friend next to you. Perhaps try pairing this with a mantra, such as: “I am calm”, “I am grounded”, “I am safe”, “I am worthy of love and care” or whatever else might speak to you. There’s absolutely no right or wrong way to do this and having a regular breathing, meditation or mindfulness practice can help us tap into our embodied self, present moment awareness and a connection with something bigger than ourselves. I hope this tip helps and please know I believe in you-you’ve got this! Selenite is a great crystal to support a meditation practice.

09/21/2025

Hi friends, Just as our eyes are drawn to the reddish colored rock in the center, we’re also drawn to certain romantic partners for a reason. We don’t realize it, but we look for a partner who holds our “lost self”-the part of us we had to lock away as a young child, so that we could be loved. Our missing self is based on the customs/rules/expectations placed on us based on our: gender, culture, religion, schooling and much more. These are the opposites attract couples: the stoic person with the emotionally expressive partner, the type A person with the free spirit; the quiet/shy one with the big extrovert. But what do you do when you or your partner wants to change the part of you that’s different than them? What do you do when you look over at your mate and think, “Why did I choose this person?! What was I thinking?” As an Imago trained/Gottman informed couples therapist, I’m here to help you! I work with partnered couples and together, we unravel the mystery of your attraction and pairing, learn to develop patience and compassion and reestablish healthy communication and connection in your couple bubble. If you’re interested, please email me at: rmilsten@hotmail.com, to set up a free 15 min phone consult. Turquoise is a great crystal for supporting the 5th chakra, the throat region, so you can speak your truth.