Heart and Mind

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Today can be spooky and fun for our mental and social health, so here are some tricks to be sure this year’s Halloween is a guaranteed treat!

Prioritize what feels good for YOU on Halloween!

Because it’s such a widespread tradition, Halloween can be a great opportunity for social connection and celebration, but it can also come with a lot of pressure to spend the holiday in ways that feel “expected.” What feels good for others, though, may not be fun for you! It’s okay to focus on activities that bring YOU joy and ditch the ones that aren’t your jam.

Maybe dressing up isn’t your thing — that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with staying in and watching a movie. Or maybe you’d rather decorate, enjoy a Halloween-themed playlist, or snack on spooky treats with friends. Maybe you’d rather skip the Halloween stuff altogether. At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong way to spend the day!

Plan for comfort.

Dressing up can be a fantastic way to express yourself creatively and explore fears in a safe environment. Keep things comfortable by anticipating and understanding your needs and preferences. Here are some questions to explore when planning your costume:

What is the weather supposed to be like?
What sensory challenges have I had before that I can accommodate with this costume?
Am I putting pressure on myself to meet unrealistic or challenging body standards? What can I do with my costume—or to prepare myself—that will help me feel most confident?
Will this costume allow me to fully enjoy the activities I want to participate in?

Take breaks and be mindful of others.

Halloween’s focus on horror and darkness can trigger anxiety or other mental health issues in individuals who are sensitive to these themes. For those who have experienced traumatic events, Halloween’s imagery and themes may revive their experiences and cause distress.

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed or struggling, keep in mind that it’s okay to take breaks! It’s also important to respect the boundaries of others and avoid making assumptions about their comfort levels with Halloween.

Have fun!
The festive atmosphere and playful nature of Halloween can provide a temporary escape from daily stressors. It can also be a great way to socialize, express yourself, and engage with your favorite themes and interests. However you prefer to spend the day, above all else: stay safe and have fun!

10/28/2025

🦉 Why Sugar Stops Whispering Your Name
When we reach for sugar, it’s often not hunger — it’s the body asking for comfort, connection, or calm.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound don’t just affect appetite; they help the nervous system find safety again. The “food noise” quiets, and eating becomes about nourishment, not relief.

When the body feels safe, the cravings soften — and the real healing begins.

Read more from Amy Reamer, LMFT, RPT-S:
👉 https://www.heartmindrva.com/post/why-sugar-stops-whispering-your-name

10/23/2025

🎉 Celebrating Our Team!

This month we’re celebrating two incredible milestones at Heart & Mind Therapy.

💙 Daniel – 1 year with Heart & Mind
💚 Missy – 7 years with Heart & Mind

We’re so grateful for the dedication, compassion, and care they bring to our clients and team every day. Please join us in congratulating them on their anniversaries!

10/17/2025

🎉 October Birthdays 🎉

Join us in wishing Carly, R-Jay, and Rose a wonderful birthday month!
We’re grateful for all that you bring to the Heart & Mind team—hope your days are filled with joy, laughter, and maybe a little cake. 🎂🧡

10/14/2025

Employee Spotlight: Claire Lindsey, Supervisee in Social Work 🌿

Meet Claire! When they’re not supporting clients with warmth and authenticity, you can often find them paddleboarding or adding to their ever-growing trinket collection.

Claire loves to keep learning — through trainings, study groups, and collaboration with their colleagues and cohort. They value deep connection and a healthy dose of silliness in both their work and personal life, bringing that same energy to the Heart & Mind team.

✨ A few fun facts:

Favorite snacks: Anything from a mezze board — olives, dolmas, figs, crackers, and spreads.

Birthday tradition: Time with friends, paddleboarding, good food, and a stellar thrifting find to top it off.

We’re so thankful for all the care, curiosity, and humor Claire brings to Heart & Mind!

10/11/2025

🌈 October 11th is National Coming Out Day.

Coming out isn’t a single moment. It’s often a series of choices, pauses, deep breaths, and small acts of courage. For some, it’s joyful and freeing. For others, it’s complicated, ongoing, or not yet possible. Every version of that experience is valid.

Today, we honor the many ways people choose to live authentically - in whispers, in declarations, in quiet self-acceptance, or in community celebration.

If you’re someone who’s come out, is thinking about it, or holds space for others navigating that journey, we see you. The world needs your truth, your gentleness, and your presence, exactly as you are.

10/08/2025

Friday is World Mental Health Day!

At Heart & Mind, we know just how important mental health is — it touches each of us in one way or another. World Mental Health Day brings attention to mental health challenges across the globe and encourages an open, ongoing conversation about what still needs to be done to make mental health care accessible for everyone.

Now more than ever, we’re constantly exposed to media coverage of crises and conflict worldwide — often more than our nervous systems can comfortably process. That’s why this year’s theme from the Mental Health Foundation focuses on addressing overwhelm in times of global turmoil and 24/7 media access.

To explore helpful resources and learn more, visit the Mental Health Foundation’s website:

👉 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day #:~:text=World%20Mental%20Health%20Day%20takes%20place%20every%20year%20on%2010%20October

10/02/2025

Meet Madeleine, our Administrative Billing Specialist here at Heart & Mind Therapy! She keeps our billing and administrative processes running smoothly so our clients and therapists can stay focused on care and healing.

Outside of work, Madeleine finds joy in abstract painting, a practice that brings peace and balance into her life — and that same calm, mindful approach shines through in her role with us. Always happy to help with any billing questions, Madeleine is a vital part of our team and the support we provide.

We’re so glad to have her with us at Heart & Mind! 💙

09/30/2025

09/30/2025

Coping skills don’t work if they don’t match the nervous system state. Kids with regulation issues think they are broken - they aren’t! This workbook shows them what’s going on and helps them tame their tiger and feel better about themselves!

https://www.heartmindrva.com/product-page/tame-your-tiger-workbook-child-edition-pre-order

your tiger

09/30/2025

🌈 Happy Bi+ Visibility Month! 🌈

Bi+ identities include people who are attracted to more than one gender, such as bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual, asexual, and aromantic folks. Too often, their identities are erased or misunderstood — but Bi+ people are real, valid, and thriving.

💜 Challenges: Bi+ people face higher rates of anxiety, exclusion, and stereotypes.
💙 Strengths: They are resilient, creative, inclusive, and build powerful communities of love and connection.

✨ This month, we celebrate the joy, strength, and visibility of Bi+ communities. Everyone deserves to be seen, respected, and supported.

Check out our blog post for Bi+ Visibility for more information about these communities and their unique experiences:

https://www.heartmindrva.com/post/bi-visibility-month-recognizing-diverse-identities-and-stories