Heidi Smith LCSW

12/10/2022

EMDR...Such a hopeful, inspiring therapy. It has helped countless people heal from trauma. I am proud to be bringing this to my practice.

EMDR therapy is an extensively researched method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences.

02/23/2021

As we mourn 500,000 COVID deaths in the US, I was reminded of this quote from David Kessler. When he said it during our conversation about grief on Unlocking Us, it hit me as truth.

Often a number like 500,000 seems too big to get our heads and hearts around. The loss seems incomprehensible. But as our friends, family, and neighbors reckon with their grief, and do so without funerals and many of the important witnessing rituals that are part of our healing, it's important to remind them that they are seen, loved, and not alone.

This is the full quote:

“Each person's grief is as unique as their fingerprint. But what everyone has in common is that no matter how they grieve, they share a need for their grief to be witnessed. That doesn't mean needing someone to try to lessen it or reframe it for them. The need is for someone to be fully present to the magnitude of their loss without trying to point out the silver lining.”
—David Kessler

06/07/2020

04/20/2020

Some great resources and tools in this!

03/25/2020

This is a good one!
This week feels like a tough one. The weather doesn’t help. Try as much as you can to get outside whenever it’s not raining, bundle up or take an umbrella! It helps so much.
Also there’s so many good ways to virtually connect socially. Plan some group video chats with friends or family. The connection it provides, while we are all feeling so isolated, is invaluable! What a mood lifter!
Feel free to share what is helping you through this time.
For me it’s going for a long walk or run on the back roads around me, working in the garden, playing board games with my family and video group chats with friends or family. All of these have lifted my mood when I’ve been feeling low this week.
Stay well and reach out with any questions anytime.

This guided progressive muscle relaxation meditation will help you release tension, relieve anxiety, manage panic attacks, or fall asleep. It is good for eve...

03/21/2020

A free online course to increase happiness and well being from Yale? Why not? 😊

Yale University is offering its most popular course for free on Coursera. I signed up for it — here's what "The Science of Well-Being" is like.

03/19/2020

✨✨Couldn’t we all use a 5 minute break right now?

Want more meditation and a peaceful mind? Check out our affiliate link to our partner "Live and Dare" and the LIMITLESS LIFE Meditation and anxiety managemen...

03/17/2020

This is a funny (and informative) video by ABC’s Dan Harris (you know him from
GMA) who got on the mindfulness and meditation bandwagon awhile ago and knows well all its benefits.

Are you new to meditation, and interested in finding out how to start a practice? We'll walk you through the basics! Animation by Katy Davis (AKA Gobblynne) ...

03/17/2020

This is a trying time to say the least. Stress and anxiety levels are, understandably, way up. Even though I encourage mindfulness and self care regularly anyway, now with all that is going on, it is more important than ever. And hello, a lot of us are trying to “homeschool” our kids while feeling uber stressed ourselves so make sure to take some time to take care of you too.
Here are some self care, stress and anxiety reduction ideas that I believe in and also use myself: They work.
-Get outside, research has shown “green time” has been shown to reduce anxiety and boost mood. We are fortunate to live around so many beautiful outdoor spaces and hiking trails. What better way to get out of the house right now and “social distance”.
-Exercise! Not only good for your physical health, but also good to boost your immune system AND release some of that anxious energy we all feel running through us right now.
-YouTube: has about a bizllion guided relaxation and meditation videos. Seriously, type that into a search on there and you will have your pick. Try different ones until you find one that works for you.
-Stop, Breathe & Think is a great app for the same kind of guided relaxation, meditations.
-Sleep! Not only important for a healthy immune system but just makes us less cranky too, am I right? Any of the above help contribute to a good night’s rest...and put down the phone, iPad, etc at least an hour before you go to bed to help shut your brain off too.
-Yoga...awesome. Even though now is not the best time to try out a class, there are so many great yoga apps for ALL levels (b/c believe me, I’m not an expert by any means). It helps with grounding and being present which in turn helps with mindful choices and managing challenging emotions. I believe the Down Dog app is offering free membership during this time (check on that), and I personally love the YogaStudio app.
I’ll be posting different ideas, videos and resources so check back to my page and as always feel free to reach out with any questions anytime!
This too shall pass. We’ll get through this together.
Heidi

12/23/2019

12/23/2019

The holidays can be wonderful but also a very stressful time for many.
Wishing you all a peaceful holiday and all the best in the coming New Year.

If you're spending the holidays with family this year, Jeremy Mohler has some advice for staying present when old wounds pop up.