Michael F. Monic MA, LPC, Inc.

03/19/2026

Today is the day! 23 years ago today, I had my first session in Jennings at then, Dr. McGregor's Office. I used an empty waiting room, on the other side of the building. All I had was 2 folding chairs. My sister Monica joined me to help get things started. She stuck around for 19 years. Thank you Ka! Neva joined about 10 years ago and became part of the family. Then Shannon came on board 4 years ago, taking Monica's place.

I am thankful to God, my family, friends and the community for help and support. Special thanks to Shannon and Neva for all they do to make this adventure (for all of us) enjoyable. Here's to many more years!

03/16/2026

This week, we celebrate our 23rd year of practice. Our first patient was seen in Jennings, on March 19, 2003. We were the first, full time, Mental Health Counseling office in Jennings. We would like to thank the community and area professionals for their support. Here's to many more years. God Bless!

02/23/2026

Understanding OCD: Beyond the Stereotypes
​Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often simplified in pop culture as a "quirk" for cleanliness or organization, but it is actually a complex, chronic mental health condition. It is characterized by a cycle of obsessions—intrusive, distressing thoughts or images—and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts a person feels driven to perform to ease the anxiety caused by those obsessions. While everyone worries about germs or double-checking the stove occasionally, for someone with OCD, these thoughts are persistent and significantly interfere with daily life.

​The Mechanism of the "Brain Lock"
​The disorder is often described as a "brain lock" where the mind gets stuck on a specific thought or fear. These obsessions can range from fears of contamination to unwanted taboo thoughts or a need for perfect symmetry. To cope with the resulting intense "moral" or physical anxiety, the individual performs compulsions. These might be visible, like excessive hand-washing, or internal, like counting or repeating a silent prayer. The tragedy of the cycle is that the relief provided by the compulsion is only temporary, which reinforces the urge to perform the ritual the next time the obsession strikes.

​Paths to Management and Recovery
​The good news is that OCD is highly treatable. The "gold standard" for therapy is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In ERP, individuals are gradually exposed to the things that trigger their obsessions but are encouraged to refrain from performing the ritual. Over time, the brain learns that the "danger" isn't real and the anxiety naturally fades—a process known as habituation. Combined with medication (like SSRIs) and a strong support system, many people living with OCD lead full, productive lives.

02/14/2026

Understanding Health Anxiety: When "Just Checking" Becomes the Problem

​We’ve all had that moment: a weird twitch in the eyelid or a lingering headache leads to a late-night session on a search engine. Suddenly, a minor annoyance feels like a medical emergency. For most, the anxiety fades with a bit of sleep or a doctor’s reassurance. But for those with Health Anxiety (formerly known as hypochondriasis), that relief never quite sticks.

​Health anxiety isn't just "being a hypochondriac"—it is a persistent, often exhausting cycle where the brain misinterprets normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness.

​The Cycle of Health Anxiety
​Health anxiety thrives on a feedback loop. It usually follows a predictable pattern:
​The Trigger: A physical sensation (a mole, a chest pain, a dizzy spell) or seeing a medical news story.

​The Interpretation: The mind jumps to the worst-case scenario.

​The Fixation: Constant body scanning (checking pulse, poking a sore spot) or "Cyberchondria" (compulsive Googling).

​Temporary Relief: A doctor says you're fine, or a test comes back clear.

​The Doubt: "What if they missed something?" or "What if the test was a false negative?"
​Common Symptoms

​It’s more than just "worrying." It often manifests through specific behaviors:
​Reassurance Seeking: Frequently asking friends, family, or doctors for "the truth" about symptoms.

​Avoidance: Skipping doctor appointments out of fear of a bad diagnosis, or avoiding TV shows/news about illness.

​Hyper-vigilance: Being hyper-aware of internal functions, like heartbeat or digestion, that most people don't notice.

​Medical Shopping: Visiting multiple specialists because one opinion wasn't "certain" enough.

​Why Does This Happen?
​It isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a glitch in the brain's internal alarm system. It can be triggered by:

​Past Experience: Having a serious illness in childhood or watching a loved one go through a health crisis.

​Stress: High levels of general life stress can lower your threshold for "physical noise."

​Personality: People who are naturally more sensitive to physical pain or prone to general anxiety are more at risk.

​Breaking the Loop
​The good news? Health anxiety is highly treatable.
​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is the "gold standard." It helps you identify irrational thought patterns and replaces them with more balanced perspectives.

​Exposure Response Prevention: Learning to sit with the discomfort of a "weird feeling" without rushing to Google or the ER. (Unless it's an actual medical emergency)

​Mindfulness: Training the brain to observe a sensation without immediately judging it as "bad."

​A Quick Tip: If you find yourself Googling symptoms, try the 24-Hour Rule. Unless it’s an actual emergency, wait 24 hours before researching or booking an appointment. Often, the sensation (and the spike in anxiety) will dissipate on its own.

02/14/2026

Understanding Health Anxiety: When "Just Checking" Becomes the Problem

Health Anxiety effects both men and women. ​We’ve all had that moment: a weird twitch in the eyelid or a lingering headache leads to a late-night session on a search engine. Suddenly, a minor annoyance feels like a medical emergency. For most, the anxiety fades with a bit of sleep or a doctor’s reassurance. But for those with Health Anxiety (formerly known as hypochondriasis), that relief never quite sticks.

​Health anxiety isn't just "being a hypochondriac"—it is a persistent, often exhausting cycle where the brain misinterprets normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness.

​The Cycle of Health Anxiety
​Health anxiety thrives on a feedback loop. It usually follows a predictable pattern:
​The Trigger: A physical sensation (a mole, a chest pain, a dizzy spell) or seeing a medical news story.

​The Interpretation: The mind jumps to the worst-case scenario.

​The Fixation: Constant body scanning (checking pulse, poking a sore spot) or "Cyberchondria" (compulsive Googling).

​Temporary Relief: A doctor says you're fine, or a test comes back clear.

​The Doubt: "What if they missed something?" or "What if the test was a false negative?"
​Common Symptoms

​It’s more than just "worrying." It often manifests through specific behaviors:
​Reassurance Seeking: Frequently asking friends, family, or doctors for "the truth" about symptoms.

​Avoidance: Skipping doctor appointments out of fear of a bad diagnosis, or avoiding TV shows/news about illness.

​Hyper-vigilance: Being hyper-aware of internal functions, like heartbeat or digestion, that most people don't notice.

​Medical Shopping: Visiting multiple specialists because one opinion wasn't "certain" enough.

​Why Does This Happen?
​It isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a glitch in the brain's internal alarm system. It can be triggered by:

​Past Experience: Having a serious illness in childhood or watching a loved one go through a health crisis.

​Stress: High levels of general life stress can lower your threshold for "physical noise."

​Personality: People who are naturally more sensitive to physical pain or prone to general anxiety are more at risk.

​Breaking the Loop
​The good news? Health anxiety is highly treatable.
​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is the "gold standard." It helps you identify irrational thought patterns and replaces them with more balanced perspectives.

​Exposure Response Prevention: Learning to sit with the discomfort of a "weird feeling" without rushing to Google or the ER. (Unless it's an actual medical emergency)

​Mindfulness: Training the brain to observe a sensation without immediately judging it as "bad."

​A Quick Tip: If you find yourself Googling symptoms, try the 24-Hour Rule. Unless it’s an actual emergency, wait 24 hours before researching or booking an appointment. Often, the sensation (and the spike in anxiety) will dissipate on its own.

02/09/2026

The Monday Morning Mountain

​Let’s be real: Monday usually feels like a rude interruption to a perfectly good weekend. The transition from "leisure mode" to "spreadsheet mode" can trigger what scientists (and the rest of us) call sleep inertia and a genuine sense of "Sunday Scaries." It’s the day when the coffee tastes a little weaker and the inbox looks a little more menacing.

​Flipping the Script
​Getting through Monday in a great mood isn’t about toxic positivity; it’s about strategic momentum. Here is how to hack your morning:

​The "Low-Stakes" Start: Don't dive into your hardest task firstthing. Start with a "quick win"—an easy email or a simple checklist item—to get the dopamine flowing.

​The Uniform Hack: Wear your favorite outfit. If you feel like you look good, your confidence acts as a natural buffer against workplace stress.

​Curate Your Soundtrack: Science shows that music can significantly lower cortisol. Swap the news or stressful podcasts for a high-energy playlist during your commute.

​The Mid-Day Carrot: Schedule something to look forward to. Whether it’s grabbing a specific sandwich for lunch or watching a 20-minute show, give your brain a reward for showing up.

​Pro-Tip: Try the "Three-Item Rule." Identify just three things you must finish today. Anything else is a bonus. It prevents that "drowning" feeling before lunch even hits.

HAPPY MONDAY 😊

02/07/2026

Chase the Sun: Why Brighter Days Mean Brighter Moods

​With the sun finally sticking around a bit longer, it’s the perfect time to step outside. Beyond just being "nice weather," sunshine has a profound impact on your brain chemistry.

​Here is why those extra rays are a game-changer for your mental health:
​The Serotonin Boost: Exposure to sunlight triggers your brain to release serotonin. This hormone is often called the "feel-good" chemical because it helps you feel calm, focused, and positive.

​Vitamin D Synthesis: Your body produces Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to UV rays. Low levels of Vitamin D are closely linked to low moods and fatigue, so a quick walk is like "charging your batteries."

​Circadian Rhythm Reset: Natural light helps regulate your internal clock. Getting sunlight during the day makes it easier to fall asleep at night, and better sleep equals a much more resilient mood.

​The "Green" Effect: Often, sunnier days lead us to parks or nature. Combining fresh air with light movement lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) almost instantly.
​Quick Tips for a Sunny "Pick-Me-Up"

02/03/2026

It’s no secret that when the days get shorter and the skies turn grey, our moods can take a serious dip. Whether you’ve been battling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or you just feel the "winter blues," you aren't alone—and you aren't "lazy" for feeling low.
​Here is a simple guide to help you manage your energy and mood during the colder months.

​1. Chase the Light
​Winter depression is often linked to a lack of sunlight, which disrupts your internal clock and drops your serotonin levels.
​Open the Curtains: As soon as you wake up, let the natural light in.
​The "Morning Sit": Try to sit near a window for at least 20 minutes in the morning.
​Light Therapy: Consider a SAD lamp (a lightbox that mimics outdoor light). Using one for 30 minutes a day can significantly boost your mood.

​2. Move Your Body (Gently)
​Exercise is a powerful antidepressant, but when you're depressed, a "hard workout" feels impossible. Keep it low-pressure:
​The 5-Minute Rule: Tell yourself you’ll walk for just five minutes. If you want to stop after that, you can. Usually, getting out the door is the hardest part.
​Stretch: Even some light yoga in your living room helps move stagnant energy.

​3. Stick to a "Soft" Routine
​Depression loves to mess with sleep and eating habits. You don't need a rigid 5:00 AM schedule, but aim for "anchor points":
​Consistent Wake-Up Time: Try to get up at the same time every day to keep your hormones balanced.
​Eat Regular Meals: Even if it’s just a piece of toast or a bowl of soup, keeping your blood sugar stable prevents "crashes" in your mood.

​4. Connect, Even if it’s Digital
​Winter makes us want to hibernate and isolate, but isolation usually makes depression worse.
​Low-Stakes Socializing: You don’t have to go to a party. Send a "thinking of you" text to a friend or have a 10-minute phone call.
​Be Honest: Tell a trusted friend, "I'm struggling with the winter blues lately." Just saying it out loud can take some of the weight off.

​When to See a Professional
​If you find it difficult to function, experience changes in appetite, or feel hopeless, please reach out to a therapist or healthcare provider. There is no prize for "toughing it out" alone. As always, before initiating any of these tips, check with your Healthcare provider!

01/30/2026

2. Emotional inconsistency (in a mostly physical relationship).

01/30/2026

We're in the Pillars of Progress in the Jennings Daily News, as we approach our 23rd anniversary🎊

01/27/2026

The true nature of a Narcissist.

With the rise of social media sensations and "TikTok Docs" more and more people are putting out inaccurate information regarding certain diagnosis and personality types. It's always important to know that only a licensed professional can diagnose an individual.

While narcissism is interesting, it's important to understand the true characteristics of a narcissist. According to the DSM TR 5, some, but not all of the characteristics are as follows:

* grandiose sense of self worth
* lack of empathy
* exploitative behavior
* entitlement
* etc...

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is actually very rare and may only impact as little as 0.5% of the general population. However, some studies indicate that it could be slightly higher.

Michael F. Monic MA, LPC-S, LMFT Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist - Located in Jennings, LA. (337)824-5595. Nothing on this page should be construed as counseling, guidance or advice.

01/24/2026

Tips to keep depression and anxiety at bay, when your cooped up, due to the cold weather:

1. Keep your self occupied with your indoor hobbies.
2. Reach out to that relative/friend that you've been meaning to call.
3. Watch that series or movie you've been planning to watch. (Nothing depressing)
4. Read something uplifting.

Remember that the weather is temporary and before long, we will all be complaining about 90° temperatures and mosquitoes 🦟. Stay warm!!