Marianne Morrison M.Ed

11/10/2025

I highly recommend the Intentional Holidays journal created by my lovely friend Chelle…such a wonderful resource!

More and more readers are turning to Intentional Holidays for guidance on creating a calmer, more meaningful holiday season.

Available now at www.chellebrowncounseling.com.

11/06/2025

Teach your kids early that their worth isn’t something to be earned — it’s something to be remembered. That they don’t need to twist themselves into shapes to be liked, or silence parts of who they are just to fit in. That the right people will hold them as they are — and the wrong ones will fall away.

Because the world will try to convince them that approval is the prize — that being liked means belonging. But if you have to trade pieces of yourself to keep your place, that isn’t belonging — it’s performance.

The truth is, peace doesn’t come from being accepted by everyone. It comes from liking who you are when you stay true — even when others don’t understand.

So show them how to take that invisible “I want you to like me” sticker off their forehead and place it on the mirror — where it belongs. As a reminder that the person whose approval matters most is the one looking back.

Because when they’re anchored in that kind of self-respect, they won’t mistake acceptance for love, or trade connection for approval. And when they learn to live from that place, their happiness won’t hinge on being liked, and their peace won’t depend on anyone else’s applause…

It will come from knowing they were already enough. ❤️

Quote Credit: Susan Jeffers ❣️

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10/29/2025

Parents… please teach your children this truth:

Feelings are not facts.

While feelings are real and valuable, they can also be unreliable and lead to impulsive or irrational reactions.

Feelings are meant to serve as signals that something needs attention internally BEFORE responding externally.

10/16/2025

09/06/2025

In the beginning, our children need us to hold them steady — to be the arms that carry, the presence that protects, the safe place that doesn’t move when everything else feels uncertain.

But as they grow, what they need shifts.

They don’t need us to shield them from every wave. They need us to show them how to navigate. To step back just enough so they can feel their own strength, while knowing we’re still close enough to turn to.

That’s the quiet evolution of parenthood: we don’t stop being their home. We stop being the walls that hold them in, and start becoming the light that helps them find their way back.

Because home isn’t a place they outgrow. It’s a presence they carry — one that steadies them when they’re small, and guides them when they’re grown.

We don’t raise them to need us forever. We raise them to move through life knowing we are with them, even when we’re not beside them. ❤️

Quote Credit: ❣️

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09/04/2025

08/22/2025

According to the 2025 State of the Bible survey, people who are actively involved in their church communities are less stressed, less lonely and more hopeful than those who aren’t.

The gaps are big enough to matter. Regular churchgoers report nearly 40 percent lower stress levels. Their loneliness drops by about 20 percent, and their sense of hope for the future climbs by roughly the same amount. That puts church involvement in the same league as other proven wellness practices like exercise, therapy or strong social networks—but with even sharper results in some cases.

Bible reading on its own also makes a difference. Weekly Scripture engagement is tied to lower anxiety and stronger resilience, sometimes outperforming things like volunteering or catching up with friends. But the real shift happens when personal faith is combined with active participation in a church community—actually showing up, serving and building relationships.

“People’s lives improve when they engage with their church—not just attending, but using their gifts, developing relationships, and taking advantage of opportunities to grow spiritually,” said John Farquhar Plake, chief innovation officer at the American Bible Society.

Maybe the next big self-care movement isn’t something we invent, but something that’s been quietly holding people together for generations.

Read more at RELEVANTmagazine.com🔗

07/21/2025

Have you ever heard of Radical Acceptance? 🌿

It’s a powerful DBT skill I often use in sessions to help clients navigate the tension between how we wish things were and how they really are.

Sometimes the first step to healing is simply saying: “This is my reality right now.”

That one shift can reduce suffering and open the door to peace, clarity, and growth.

07/11/2025

In the face of tragedy, Mr. Rogers reminded us of this simple truth:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

Helpers show up in hospital rooms, flood zones, classrooms, food banks, and front porches.

And sometimes, the helper is the friend who texted to check in.
The counselor who made space to talk.
The neighbor who showed up with groceries.

Look for the helpers.
And if you can, when you’re ready—be one, too.

07/10/2025

✨ Our website just got a fresh new look! ✨
It’s been such a joy partnering with Dr. Dyana Robbins at Sheltering Oak Therapy. She brings deep compassion, wisdom, and professionalism to everything she does.

If you’re navigating anxiety, stress, or trauma, we’d love to support you. Visit us online to learn more…we’re here to help. 🌿

https://shelteringoaktherapy.com/about-marianne/

Marianne Morrison helps teens learn to cope with academic stress, school challenges, social anxiety, self-esteem, and life transitions in Friendswood, TX.

06/26/2025

When war, natural disasters, or human suffering fill the news, our instinct is often to shield our children. But kids are perceptive — they overhear conversations, catch glimpses of headlines, and pick up on our emotional cues. What they need most is not perfect explanations, but a calm, honest, and compassionate guide.

Here are a few ways to begin:

1. Be the calm in the storm.
Children take emotional cues from the adults around them. If you're anxious, they will be too. Take time to regulate yourself before starting the conversation.

2. Be honest, but developmentally appropriate.
You don’t have to explain everything. Offer simple, clear facts that match their age and curiosity. "There are people far away who are hurting and scared because of fighting, and that makes a lot of people sad and worried."

3. You can grieve multiple things at once — and so can your child.
It’s okay to name the complexity: we can grieve injustice and violence, while also grieving the loss of innocent lives. We can be heartbroken for all who are hurting, even when we don’t fully understand every side. Helping children hold space for more than one truth builds empathy and resilience.

4. Listen more than you talk.
Ask what they've heard and how they feel about it. Don’t assume they’re confused — they might be forming their own understanding, and your job is to gently guide and clarify.

5. Reassure them of their safety and support.
Let them know they are safe with you, and that there are people in the world working hard to help those affected. Routines, affection, and your presence go a long way in helping kids feel grounded.

6. Keep routines steady.
Consistency helps children feel secure, especially in uncertain times.

7. Show them how to care.
Whether it's through prayer, drawing pictures, or helping in small ways, give children an outlet for compassion. It reminds them that even in big, scary moments, love is still active.

You don’t need all the answers. You just need to show up with your heart open.

If your child is showing signs of fear or distress and you’d like support, I’m here to help.

📍 Mont Belvieu | Baytown
🖥️ Virtual sessions available
📩 Reach out via the link in bio

06/13/2025

🌿Mindful Living Workshop 🌿

July 10–31 | Wednesdays | 12:00–1:30 PM
Sheltering Oak Therapy – Friendswood, TX

Join us for a 4-week journey toward greater peace, presence, and emotional resilience. I will be leading this workshop that will explore practical tools for managing stress, improving self-awareness, and cultivating a more mindful life.

✨ Grow. Reflect. Heal.
Space is limited — reserve your spot today!

📞 Call (832) 669-6853 to RSVP or learn more!