Tri-County Mental Health

10/28/2025

Therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart — it’s also for growth, clarity, and balance.

10/09/2025

✨ What if your harsh inner critic could become a source of healing? ✨

We all have that voice in our heads saying we’re not good enough, messing up, or failing. But what if, instead of silencing it, we transform it?

Here’s how to start:

Pause & Breathe — create space to step back from the inner storm.

Name the Trigger — what event or thought set off the critic?

Dialogue, don’t Monologue — let your “critic” speak, then respond as the “victim” (the part of you that’s hurt).

Switch to Compassion — imagine how a caring friend would respond to both voices.

Practice it — try the “empty chair” technique: speak your self-criticism from one chair, then shift and respond compassionately from another.

Your inner critic doesn’t have to define you. Learn how to shift self-doubt into compassion and begin a journey of healing and self-love.

09/23/2025

🧠💬 Taking Time for Therapy Isn't a Detour — It's the Route.

In the middle of all the meetings, messages, and to-do lists, consider taking an hour and talking to a therapist.

Not because something is wrong, but because you can be committed to checking in — the same way you would with a friend or a loved one.
Mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the work, the healing, the growth.
And sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is pause.

So this is your reminder:
Take the time. Book the session. Prioritize you.

09/16/2025

“Feeling those first-week jitters as a new semester kicks off? 😬 You’re not alone. Whether you’ve got a diagnosed anxiety disorder—or not—movies, routines, and finding your support circle can feel overwhelming. But there are things you can do:
• Recognize what I’m calling “BSA” (Beginning-of-Semester Anxiety) when it shows up.
• Talk to yourself with kindness (yes, you are allowed).
• Create routines: sleep, study, self-care.
• Be patient—things get smoother as the semester settles in.

“New semester = new beginnings … and for many, new anxiety. According to Psychology Today, beginning‑of‑semester anxiety (BSA) is totally normal—and treatable. Key tips: notice your anxious self‑talk, reframe with kinder thoughts, lean into healthy routines (good sleep, food, movement), and trust that it will ease over time. If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone.

You got this. 💪 ”

It is commonplace for the beginning of each semester to feel challenging for college students, and not just the one in three who live with an anxiety disorder.

09/10/2025

🧠 CBT & The Cognitive Triangle 🔺
Ever noticed how a single thought can shift your entire mood — and even your day?

The Cognitive Triangle (Thoughts → Feelings → Behaviors) shows us just how connected our minds and actions really are.

✨ A small shift in your thinking today can change how you feel — and how you show up in the world.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day! Tri- County Mental Health will be closed today, Friday, July 4th, 2025. We will be back in the office on Monday, July 7th!

06/30/2025

💬 Real talk takes real courage.
Anxiety is normal in tough conversations — but avoiding them only makes it worse.
The key? Speak authentically, directly, and with tact — even when it’s uncomfortable.
That’s where growth (and true connection) begins.

Difficult interactions raise our fears of criticism, rejection, and hurting others. Facing these anxieties, not avoiding them, is the key to tactful and courageous communication.

06/30/2025

🌟 New week. New energy. New magic. ✨

06/27/2025

Mental strength comes in many forms, and if we paid closer attention, we'd probably realize that most of us exhibit it every day, in ways like these, and that we can do even more.

06/25/2025

🌿 Daily Prompt: Let Go of a Ruminating Thought 🌿
“🧠 Noticing that same anxious thought again? Try this:

Identify & Label: Pause and mentally say, “That’s me ruminating about ___.”

Create Distance: Visualize the thought floating by—like a cloud or leaf on a stream.

Anchor: Shift your attention to your breath or senses—what can you feel, hear, or see right now?

Schedule a “Worry Slot”: If it’s still buzzing, jot it down and promise yourself to revisit it during your 10‑minute "worry time" later.

Shift Gently: Engage in a small distraction—take a walk, stretch, journal one sentence.

06/24/2025

06/24/2025

Your body never forgets.
Even if you’ve moved on mentally, your body might still be holding onto old trauma—and reacting in ways you don’t even realize.

This really powerful article on Psychology Today explains how trauma gets stored in the body for years—and how healing has to include more than just talking it out. Think breathwork, movement, mindfulness… all the things that help your nervous system feel safe again. 🤍

Trauma memories can stay stored in our body, even long after we thought the trauma had passed.