Gaedtke Counseling LLC

04/16/2026

Cognitive distortions happen more often then we realize and often increase our stress, anxiety, and depression 🫥 💭

Our thoughts and experiences are intricately connected.

How you interpret a situation can have a big impact on how you feel about it and how you react. So much so that your thoughts can keep you from fully enjoying your successes or appreciating the positives in life.

That’s why understanding cognitive distortions is so important: Our thoughts affect how we experience life. Cognitive distortions, also called distorted thinking, are automatic, negative patterns of thinking that distort reality. They’re stories that we tell ourselves that aren’t fully true or helpful.

Cognitive distortions are like viewing reality through a funhouse mirror. When you engage in thought distortion, your view of the world gets bent out of shape. It can make things bigger, scarier or more intense than they really are.

04/14/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Brittany has graduated with her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy! 🎓 😀 🎉 Congratulations on all your hardwork.

We are excited to welcome her to Gaedtke Counseling now as a therapist. She is currently accepting new clients for telehealth. Text us at 260-205-8644 or email gaedtkecounseling@gmail.com to schedule with her!! 🎉

04/09/2026

Its time to fuel connection 🫂

03/30/2026

Day 5 of Affirmations for Social Anxiety

Social anxiety tricks your mind:
You assume everyone’s judging you 👀
You focus too much on yourself 😬
You expect the worst 😱
Even small moments feel huge. But knowing it’s just your brain’s “threat radar” can help you hit pause—and take control.
💛 You’re not alone, and little steps make a difference.

03/29/2026

Day 4 of Affirmations for Social Anxiety

This “social threat radar” can make even small interactions feel huge. The good news? Awareness + practice can retrain your brain.

03/28/2026

Day 3 of Affirmations for Social Anxiety

Social anxiety isn’t just a feeling—it’s a way of thinking. People with social anxiety often have cognitive patterns that distort reality, making social situations seem more threatening than they are. Some common patterns include:

Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst-case scenario, e.g., “If I say something wrong, everyone will hate me.”

Mind reading: Assuming you know what others are thinking, usually negative, without evidence.

Excessive self-focus: Hyper-aware of your own actions, appearance, or speech, which makes you feel awkward or judged.

All-or-nothing thinking: Believing you must be perfect socially, or you’re a failure.

Overestimating threat / underestimating coping: You may exaggerate the danger of social situations and underestimate your ability to handle them.

03/27/2026

Day 2 of Affirmations for Social Anxiety

💭 Did you know social anxiety is more common than you might think?
Around 1 in 8 people will experience social anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
Many more feel social discomfort in certain situations without a formal diagnosis.
Social anxiety isn’t “just shyness”—it’s a heightened fear of judgment that can affect work, school, and relationships.

03/27/2026

Day 1 of Affirmations for Social Anxiety 🫂

Social anxiety is essentially the brain’s “social threat detector” turned up too high. Humans are social animals, so being attuned to how others perceive us is natural—but in some people, this system becomes overly sensitive.

03/25/2026

Try this 3 minute Mindfulness meditation 🧘‍♀️ 🧎‍♂️🧘

03/25/2026

Some people believe that only the loss of a loved one should trigger a grief response but we now know that grief is not a response to death but to loss, of all kinds, and ought to be honored.

03/24/2026

03/20/2026

Yes yes and yes 🌟🌟🌟

You are enough. ⭐