Psychological health practice providing exceptional care for mental health needs in NW Florida. Outdoor/Beach services available
03/12/2025
Grief can manifest in many ways, and it can often be unseen. We can never fully understand what someone else is experiencing internally, and they might be dealing with a significant amount of grief that is hidden behind a smile. It’s crucial to combat this invisible grief with words of encouragement and support. Let the people in your life know that you care about them and their well-being!
For more information on invisible grief, continue reading the article linked below.
Not all grief is visible. Discover how to recognize and support loved ones who carry their pain in silence.
02/14/2025
Did you know that our need to give love is just as powerful as our desire to receive it?
Expressing love to others benefits not only the recipient but also the giver. A study found that participants who spent money on others reported greater happiness than those who spent it on themselves.
Remember to show kindness and love to those around you, not just today but everyday. Happy Valentine’s Day!
All of us recognize that to feel happy, it's important to feel loved and nurtured. But few of us realize that we have just as deep a desire to love and take care of others.
01/26/2025
Doing the little things you love in life that bring you joy and purpose can significantly boost your happiness.
There is a misconception that pursuing what you love, rather than making a global impact, is selfish. However, following your passions instead of societal expectations can create a ripple effect, inspiring and teaching others.
Read more about this concept in the article linked below!
The myth of selfishness: Pursuing passions that light you up isn’t selfish—it sparks joy, inspires others, and creates lasting impact, often in ways you never imagined.
01/10/2025
As we welcome the New Year, it’s a great time to embrace a new outlook on body positivity.
So, what exactly is body positivity? It’s the belief that we should love our bodies and feel good about how we look. It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on our flaws and setting unrealistic beauty standards that society often imposes on us.
Embracing body positivity comes with numerous mental health benefits, such as reduced depression, increased self-esteem, and less frequent dieting behaviors.
Check out the article linked below to dive deeper into body positivity and discover ways to enhance your own!
Body positivity focuses on people feeling better about their bodies. Learn about the body positivity movement, its impact, and how to be positive about your body.
12/28/2024
As we approach the new year, many will be thinking of New Year’s resolutions. Instead of setting a goal for yourself that may not result in increased happiness, try setting one that is backed by science to make you happier! A few of these resolutions may include spending less time on social media, being kind to others, and writing letters of gratitude.
Read more below to discover how these can lead to increased happiness!
12/04/2024
The holiday season is here, and while it is traditionally a time for love and happiness, it can also bring about increased anxiety and depression, otherwise known as the ‘holiday blues.’
These negative emotions may be attributed to high expectations, loneliness, and sentimental memories. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help avoid these feelings, such as taking care of your physical health, adhering to routines, and setting realistic expectations for yourself.
For more information on how to avoid the holiday blues, please refer to the link below.
The holidays aren’t always a time of joy and excitement. Try these nine tips for beating the holiday blues.
11/13/2024
Happy world kindness day!
Being kind to one another is one of the most impactful things we can do. Everyone faces their own challenges, and a little kindness can make a big difference!
Check out the article linked below for some fun ideas on random acts of kindness you can do today and everyday!
Take action and carry out a random act of kindness for someone else.
10/29/2024
Did you know that engaging in rituals can significantly alleviate your anxiety? A ritual is defined as a fixed sequence of behaviors integrated with symbolic meaning, and no instrumental purpose. Research indicates that performing a ritual prior to a task can promote calmness according to EEG readings.
To learn more about how to establish a ritual to decrease anxious feelings, continue reading the article linked below!
We all get jitters before a stressful event, like an interview, exam, or competition. Performing a ritual beforehand can calm those nerves and improve performance.
10/12/2024
Maintaining strong relationships is crucial for our overall well-being. Friendships contribute significantly to our happiness and sense of belonging. Research indicates that we can enhance our friendships through various strategies such as increased interaction, offering support, demonstrating trust, and fostering agreement.
For a deeper exploration of these strategies, read more in the article linked below!
What strategies do people use to strengthen the bonds of friendship? A recent study looks into common ways we try to foster deeper connections.
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4635 Gulfstarr Drive , Suite 100D Destin, FL 32541
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We all get stuck, but we don’t have to stay that way. Maybe you’ve avoided dealing with an issue for many years. Maybe you’re suddenly facing a situation with no idea how to adapt to it. Maybe you don’t understand why the same negative patterns keep repeating, despite your best efforts to change them. Whatever the circumstances are… you’ve taken the first step toward finding the sense of freedom and peace that you deserve.
The focus of my work is to empower you, by facilitating insight, healing, and hope; and to provide guidance and encouragement as you develop a more introspective and compassionate relationship with yourself and others. Although empathy and compassion are among the key elements of my practice, I will also acknowledge and appropriately challenge fixed beliefs or behaviors that are misaligned with your goals. As the therapeutic relationship evolves, I may also introduce humor during sessions in various contexts, which I have found to be a commonly underutilized, yet profoundly effective intervention. My style of interacting would be best described as warm and accepting, yet honest and realistic. I genuinely hold a deep respect for all cultures and backgrounds, and consistently maintain an open-minded and non-judgmental stance in therapy.
My professional background includes extensive academic training and 15+ years of experience working primarily from the lens of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT, DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy—specifically incorporating Positive Psychology and Mindfulness-based approaches, and Expressive Arts Therapy. Though my training and experience both in California and Kentucky has allowed me to gain familiarity in working with many types of clinical presentations I have gained specific expertise and interests in areas such as: managing anxiety, dysfunctional relationships or romantic attachments, family conflicts, divorce, career stress/burn-out, peer rejection/bullying, addictions, trauma, abuse, PTSD, and coping with losses, including grief and bereavement.
Again, I would like to commend you for having the courage to seek help in resolving whatever situations have been holding you back from the life you deserve. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you, and more importantly to work with you toward meeting your goals!
