Cambium Counseling

11/24/2025

Recently published a new Substack post about what it means to create space for adventure, dreams, and evolving partnership, especially as parents. I dig into the messy, real-life process of sharing time, sponsoring each other’s fun, and rewriting old scripts about “control” and support in relationships.

If you’ve ever tried to balance your own passions with family life, found yourself questioning cultural expectations, or wrestled with how to honor both autonomy and connection, I’d love for you to give it a read.
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What’s your experience with making room for each other’s adventures, whether that’s solo passions, shared dreams, or something in between? How do you handle the inevitable bumps, trade-offs, or recalibrations along the way?
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I’d be grateful to hear your reflections, stories, or even your open questions. We learn so much more together.

How shared adventure and reciprocal ‘fun sponsorship’ deepen our relationship and shape our family’s evolution.

07/28/2025

Explore the wisdom of our siblings in nature who can help us reconnect with our own wild wisdom in my latest post, “Snakes, Cycles, and Intuition.” Learn how paying attention to nature can help you listen to your body, honor your rhythms, and trust your instincts.

Read more:

What the Wild Can Teach Us When We Slow Down

07/21/2025

Been listening to the The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt on the strong recommendation of my couples counselor. It's packed with insights on why we think and act the way we do, definitely worth a read. Some of my reflections from this book inspired my recent post on Substack.

How our personal judgments can pollute the air we breathe

07/08/2025

Late last week, I wrote a piece reflecting on July 4th and then left for the mountains before I had a chance to share it.

In this piece, I explore how the narratives we choose to celebrate and the ones we overlook, shape who we are and who we’re becoming.

I lovingly challenge myself and other brave souls to face the fires of familial, cultural, and human dysfunction with courage, grit, and a deep well of gratitude.

This piece is personal and timely. It’s about honoring complexity, seeking accountability, and choosing gratitude as a radical act of healing and change.

If it resonates, I’d love for you to read it.

Rising Like a Phoenix in a World on Fire

06/27/2025

"Leaning into relational joy means embracing the difficult conversations, the ongoing challenges of parenting, the meltdowns and the laughter. It means reframing struggle, celebrating passion, and finding humor in the chaos and sometimes the tragedy. Because laughter can be the best medicine."

Excerpt from my newest post:

Exploring the Intersection of Type 2 Fun, Vulnerability, and Deep Connection

06/13/2025

Been reflecting after a dirt bike date on the concept that my partner and I refer to as “love loops”. Wrote a quick piece about it!

How small, intentional acts of SHUVA build trust over time

05/21/2025

I have had friends ask about what really helps people move through grief. Journaling, meditating, creating art has certainty helped me. So has getting on my bike, as long as I am not in the limp noodle headspace. I have also found that intentional movement through dance is especially helpful to literally "shake it out".

Often, I bring the intention of working with my grief to different movement practices including ecstatic dance (https://ecstaticdance.org/), 5 Rhythms (https://www.5rhythms.com/), and Qoya (https://lnkd.in/eddvAkzq).

I continue to explore this topic of grief in my most recent Substack. I am curious about what others find helpful when it comes to working with grief?
https://counselormelissa.substack.com/p/grief-growth-and-flow-on-the-trail?r=2m01hv

Letting Grief Root Me So I Can Confidently Send It

05/15/2025

I meant to leave Meta platforms by now, but then I signed up for a training this summer-and, of course, the main way to connect with everyone is a Facebook group. 😅 So, I’ll be hanging around a bit longer while I gradually wind down my profiles.

In the meantime, I have a new Substack post up about moving through grief!

Navigating Old Wounds on New Terrain

04/21/2025

Hello! As I get ready to leave Facebook, I’d love for you to join me on Substack. My latest post, Type II Fun Is My Love Language, is all about those tough rides (and relationships) that turn into the best stories. From e-bike mishaps to embracing a little chaos, it’s a celebration of growth, grit, and community. Come connect with me there!

E-bike mishaps, missing pads, and why the best rides—and relationships—are messy.

04/14/2025

🌿 Big news + a soft goodbye (kind of)
I just published my first post on Substack!
It’s called “What If Therapy and Leadership Went on a Bike Adventure?”—a mix of trail reflections, relationship wisdom, and leadership insights I’ve gathered from two wheels and years in the counseling room.

✨ I created this space to dive deeper into the real stuff—growth, connection, resilience—and to share tools and stories that might support your ride through life.

📬 You can read + subscribe here: https://counselormelissa.substack.com

💛 Also, just a heads-up: I’ll likely be deleting my Facebook in the next month. There’s a lot going on in the world, and this platform doesn’t feel like the place I want to anchor my energy anymore.

If you’ve found what I've shared in the past valuable, I’d love for you to join me over on Substack so we can stay connected. It’s quieter, more intentional, and a space I’m excited to grow with you.

Thanks for being here. Let’s keep riding toward what matters.

A dynamic space where relationships, leadership, and personal growth intersect with adventure. I explore how vibrant connections and bold journeys—on bikes, in intimate relationships, in teams, and beyond—can empower us to thrive in life and work. Click to read Bike Therapy, by Melissa T Ryan, a...

01/04/2025

Considering new options for yourself for the New Year??? Retreats can be such a great way to help you gain the inertia and support to make the changes you seek. Plus Kate and Laura are awesome guides for this kind of journey.

Kate Heitzler Counseling & Consultation

11/20/2024

"The only thing left standing between the triumph of autocracy is Us. The greatest political resource that remains on this frightening night is the living hearts of one another." - Terry Real - Relational Life Institute

" The greatest political resource left standing is the beating hearts of one another" A heartfelt thank you to you, Terry, for your brave and animating words, from Germany ( before the election). It is US who can make the difference❤❤