Teri Holamon, LPC-S, RPT-S, CAAPT

11/24/2025

BLACK FRIDAY EXTENSION OF EARLY BIRD PRICING! NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 25th!

Have you ever wondered if your dog or cat was appropriate for therapy work? How should you train your dog or cat for this type of work? More importantly, what training do YOU need for this type of work?

I am a Certified Instructor in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®, and would love to have you attend my 4-day training in March to start your journey into the exciting field of Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. Developed over two decades ago by Dr. Risë VanFleet and Traci Faa-Thompson, who wrote the bible on this discipline, you'll discover all you didn't know that you didn't know about working with and relating to animals in this field of practice. You'll get hands-on learning with both dogs and horses, but this training also extends to working with cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals often included in therapy. Plus, you’ll receive 52 hours of continuing education (28 hrs. contact and 24 hours non-contact) all while discovering the three most important aspects of working with your animals; body language, relationship, and agency.

You can look over the full flyer for this training at https//iiaapt.org/training or contact me with any question at tholamon@me.com.

11/13/2025

11/02/2025

Your Thoughts Are Rewiring Your Brain Right Now

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that self-talk, the way we speak to ourselves, can physically change the structure of the brain, for better or worse. This discovery proves that our inner dialogue isn’t just mental noise; it’s a powerful force shaping how we think, feel, and even heal.

Scientists found that positive self-talk can strengthen neural connections linked to confidence, focus, and emotional stability. When you encourage yourself, your brain responds by releasing chemicals that enhance learning, memory, and motivation. Over time, these repeated thoughts literally rewire your neural pathways, reinforcing optimism and resilience.

But there’s a darker side too. Negative self-talk, filled with criticism or fear, can activate stress circuits in the brain, increasing levels of cortisol and shrinking areas linked to emotional control. In other words, how you speak to yourself can either build your mind, or slowly break it down.

This research highlights a powerful truth: the brain listens. Every word you think or say becomes a signal your brain takes seriously, shaping your reality at the cellular level. It’s like sculpting your own mind with the chisel of thought.

The implications are profound. With mindful awareness and intentional positivity, we can literally train our brains to become calmer, stronger, and more compassionate. It’s not magic—it’s neuroscience.

So the next time you talk to yourself, remember: your brain is listening. Choose words that heal, not harm. Because the story you tell yourself today becomes the person you live as tomorrow.

08/31/2025

07/26/2025

A good reminder...

(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at the University of Toledo in the U.S. has found that children are more creative when they have fewer toys to play with at one time. In their paper published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development, the group describes their observational study of tod...

06/25/2025

Positive self-talk really works!

Our internal monologues can have a huge impact on our mental health — so consider this advice for practicing positive self-talk.

06/25/2025

Therapists weep with one eye ❤️

04/13/2025

This.

04/13/2025

Change is hard. Whenever a major change is coming I tend to worry about about the unknown and that it could be worse than the present. Taking risks in life is important, because every time I have made a change, such as takinging a new job, it has actually turned out much better than I imagined.