Polaris Counseling and Wellness

11/11/2025

Thank you to all service members for the duty, sacrifice and commitment you provided to this country.

"A Veteran is someone who wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life"

Veterans are at increased risk for mental health concerns as well as higher risk for su***de.

This Veterans day - let us help break stigma for our service men and women to outreach for help and support and let them know we stand by them to seek services - that 'we got their six'.

If you are a Veteran, or know a Veteran seeking services, - we would be happy to help guide towards service options/treatment available. Our providers have history working with Veterans and their families and would complete free consultation call to help connect to services. 🇺🇸

https://www.nami.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/improving-health/ensuring-access-to-veterans-mental-health-care/

11/10/2025

⚠️❄️ CODE BLUE WEATHER ALERT ISSUED ❄️⚠️
Lackawanna County and the Lackawanna County Emergency Management Agency have declared a 𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 from 8 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Code Blue is a weather alert issued during extreme cold, triggering a plan to help vulnerable populations, especially the homeless. With the forecast wind chill, tonight’s low temperatures will drop to 17 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

During a Code Blue alert, homeless individuals can access emergency shelter at the following locations: St. Anthony's Haven (Catholic Social Services), 409 Olive St., Scranton, open 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.; and Community Intervention Center (CIC), 445 North 6th Ave., Scranton, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open later if need requires).

Important tips during extreme cold:
☑️ Make sure your car is winterized with antifreeze, a full tank of gas, properly inflated tires and an emergency kit.
☑️ Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
☑️ Do not operate generators in enclosed spaces and make sure they are vented properly.
☑️ Wear appropriate clothing and avoid prolonged exposure.
☑️ Limit outdoor time for pets.
☑️ Check on your elderly neighbors.
☑️ Report power outages directly to your utility company -- do not call 911.
☑️ Call 911 for life threating emergencies.

11/06/2025

✨ Free Community Salt Sessions — This Friday ✨

The world is heavy — and you don’t have to hold it alone.
Come sit in community, breathe deeply, and let yourself be cared for.

Our friends at Free to Bloom have generously sponsored a full afternoon of Free Salt Sessions this Friday:

🕯️ 2:00 PM — Adult Session
🕯️ 3:00 PM — Kid’s Session
🕯️ 4:00 PM — Kid’s Session
🕯️ 5:00 PM — Adult Session

Experience the sanctuary of the salt cave — a place to exhale, reset, and reconnect.
Spaces are limited, so please call or message us to reserve your spot.

The world is heavy. Come sit in community. Find your sanctuary. The link to reserve your space is in the comments. Space is limited!

11/05/2025

Insurance Open Enrollment Season - for many its scarier than Halloween 😫

Here is some things to consider this open enrollment season -

🤯 This time of year we get to see the price projected increase for next year. Try not to just look at the monthly premium options. We have seen some individuals save money monthly by switching to a higher premium plan because then deductibles and copays are lower/gone - because they/their family were in multiple routine services ongoing (weekly therapy, multiple specialists etc.)

🫣Each year benefits and cost can change - and so can your coverage - so it is important to check your plan each open enrollment period for any impacts potential for you next year.

🤓 Seek consultation from your Employee Rep or Health Insurance Agent. They can help explore how you use and best plan options budgeting for next year. Insurances are complicated, and sometimes their "quick compare sheets" don't show all the benefit plan categories (MH is usually not shown).

🤩 Explore HSA's. If you know you will most likely use X amount in health care out of pocket costs next year, many employers have HSA accounts [tax free contribution] to be able to help save some of those costs.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!

10/22/2025

For Wyoming county residents -

You've probably heard that as of November 1st, SNAP benefits are on hold until the government (both State and Federal) shutdowns end. During this time, if you need food assistance, please call the Wyoming County Food Pantry (570-836-4090) for an appointment. It serves all of Wyoming County with no income limits. This list contains other local food pantries as well. Some may have restrictions on income and ZIP code. Best to call before visiting.

10/09/2025

Tonight at gathering place!

Have you heard of EFT Tapping?

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. Come to the Gathering Place tomorrow night at 6pm to learn just what that's all about! We're hosting a $5 Zoom seminar with Brad Yates.

Brad is known internationally for his creative and often humorous use of EFT. He is the author of the best-selling children's book "The Wizard's Wish," the co-author of the best-seller "Freedom at Your Fingertips," and a featured expert in the film “The Tapping Solution”.

Registration link below and Walk-ins welcome, we just ask you arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the seminar. See you there!
https://gatheringplacecs.org/event/eft-tapping-seminar-with-brad-yates/

10/05/2025