Enlightened with Elaine

11/29/2025

Snow much fun yesterday getting our Christmas tree 🎄 and some spontaneous sledding action ❄️

11/28/2025

As the week winds down and we step into the weekend here are a few gentle reminders to carry with you through the holiday season. 🎄✨

Whether you're feeling joyful, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, your nervous system deserves support too.

These are simple but powerful ways to care for your mind and body—especially when things feel a little extra.

You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to reset. 💛

11/28/2025

Love this idea 💡👏❤️

Thank you to for sharing uplifting wisdom and positivity. 💜

11/27/2025

Gratitude can feel hard sometimes especially when you're exhausted, overstimulated, and overscheduled like life tends to keep us.

We often forget to check in with ourselves. But daily gratitude, even for the tiniest things, truly can rewire the brain and create more moments of happiness.

It doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff — it means honoring the full picture.
In our house, the boys and I share a “🌹rose and thorn” of the day:
What was hard? What went well or felt good?
It’s a simple way to acknowledge challenges and create space for gratitude.

Today, I'm giving thanks for:
🧡 Work that gives me flexibility
🧡 Being home with my kids this week
🧡 Baking with my boys yesterday and watching cozy movies like *While You Were Sleeping* and *Serendipity*
🧡 Morning snuggles and a slow start
🧡 The chance to gather, eat well, and rest with family today.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving full of peace, grace, and moments that remind you of what really matters. 💫

✨ How do you practice gratitude? What are you thankful for today?

Drop it in the comments let’s create a little gratitude ripple together 🧡

11/26/2025

What's for dinner Wedensday?

Your welcome in advance mama's :) if your anything like me I am constantly wondering what we are going to have for dinner? We have a few weekly go to meals (tacos, pasta, some type of sandwich like BLT or a hamburger) but I get tired of the same ole thing each week. I've tried all the meal delivery services but I keep finding myself going back to home chef. It can feel a little costly but here are a few of my tips to keep the cost down.

💲Buy at least three meals a week (it cuts the cost of each meal by a couple of bucks when you buy at least 3).

💲Don't buy the family meals just add your own protien or extra side to a 2 serving meal (its way cheaper to add the extra yourself then buying 4 or more servings to feed a family).

💲Forgot to use a meal or dont feel like that one anymore? Save the dry ingredients, freeze the meat and use the veggies to sub in for other meals you make during the week.

Haven't tried Home Chef? Follow the link here for a discounted week of meals! ---->https://homechef.com/invite/elaineb587

Tonight were having Chicken with Asparagus and Orzo. What's on your families plates tonight?

11/25/2025

Our kids’ school is closed for the week for the holiday and fall break. While I’m loving the idea of slower days and intentional time with the kids, when we don’t have any “plan of action,” things go a little nuts around here.

Brains need structure, especially neurospicy ones, even on ‘relaxed’ days. Here’s what’s helping us stay sort of regulated without overdoing it:

✔️ Plan anchor points
In our house, we always come together for meals. There’s plenty of free time before and after, but this gives us at least three chances to intentionally connect. Maybe we make the meal together (my kids love to help cook), or it’s a chance to plan an activity or suggest some non-electronic free time options.

✔️ Allow transitions
We always use the “5-minute rule” at our house to give the boys time to finish up and mentally gear up for what’s next. Transitions can be hard and chaotic in our home, but when I pause and mentally prepare myself, it helps me stay calm and gives the boys time to adjust too.

✔️ Include movement!
We love to get outside — especially on long stretches at home. On weekends, we usually take a mid-day hike to break up the day and move our bodies. Nature is our go-to whenever we can! Don’t want to go outdoors? Try a dance party, a mini workout competition (run stairs, push-ups, wall sits), or even a round of hide and seek. So many easy ways to shake it out and regulate.

Our days are never perfect — there’s bound to be yelling, fighting or bouts of too much screen time — but when we stick to these ideas, it sure goes a lot smoother.

Most of all, give yourself and your kiddos some grace and enjoy the extra moments together. ❤️

11/25/2025

Monday mental health tip!

Practice what we preach, right?!?!?

For the first time in I don't know how long i'm taking a full week off of work. I work three jobs and much of my work is flexible, sounds great but it also allows me to work whenever I want. This means fitting notes in while I watch a show with the boys, in a spot where I have a cancelation or any other free space of my day. It can be wonderful but also not so much. I don't often allow myself to just pause, rest, check in. I teach this skill to my patients often because I know its important but now its time to practice what I preach!

As we head into a holiday week full of expectations, stimulation, and unpredictable energy… remember:
Rest is not a reward.
It’s a requirement for a regulated brain and body.

✨ Rest before you burn out. Rest without guilt.
Even 10 minutes counts.
Sit down. Breathe. Choose simple. Check in.

You’ll show up better — for them and for you.

11/24/2025

A beautiful view and a hot cup of joe ☕️ a great way to start my Monday, even with a 5am beginning.

My son underwent a tonsillectomy today, a decision prompted by several factors. Did you know tonsil and adenoid removal is sometimes employed as an intervention for ADHD-related sleep issues? Sleep plays a crucial role in mood, focus, and behavior, and even young children can experience sleep apnea and other sleep disorders that negatively impact restful sleep. Although tonsil removal is not a direct treatment for ADHD, it may significantly enhance sleep quality, leading to improved sleep, focus, and mood.

Have you ever noticed changes in your child's behavior following a poor night's sleep?

05/06/2025

Enlightened Counseling & Wellness is pleased to announce the addition of Lluvia Jackson to our team. Meet Lluvia Jackson, LLMSW
Bilingual Therapist | English & Spanish

Lluvia Jackson is a devoted wife, mother, and therapist who brings warmth, empathy, and cultural awareness to her practice. A people person at heart, Lluvia loves spending time with her family and friends, enjoying life’s simple pleasures—coffee dates, sunny days, shopping trips, good music, and dancing. Her joyful spirit and deep care for others naturally extend into her therapeutic work.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Lluvia offers compassionate, culturally responsive mental health care to individuals from all walks of life. With experience in psychiatric assessment, counseling, and client-centered care, she utilizes evidence-based approaches like Talk Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing. Her goal is to empower clients as they navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.

Lluvia believes in meeting clients where they are, providing a safe and affirming space for healing, growth, and self-discovery. She is passionate about helping others feel seen, heard, and supported in every step of their wellness journey.

Now accepting new clients with weekend availability.
To schedule with Lluvia, visit: https://msha.ke/ecwellnesskzoo -5

03/25/2025

🌿 Looking for a Flexible, Inviting Space for Your Practice?🌿

At our Counseling and Wellness Center, we understand that every wellness professional has unique needs. That’s why our versatile office spaces are designed to fit your practice style.

✨ **Office Space for Rent**
Fully furnished and ready for you with adjustable use flexibility. No long-term commitment required! Perfect for therapists, life coaches, nutritionists, independent wellness NPs/PAs, massage therapists, energy healers, acupuncturists, chiropractors, hypnotherapists, reiki practitioners, art therapists, meditation coaches and other wellness practitioners.

📍 **Located in the Heart of Thriving Texas Corners (Kalamazoo)**
This is your opportunity to comfortably work in a space that just feels right.

🌱 Why Choose Us?
- Flexible spaces to grow your business on your terms.
- Monthly **Social Work Supervision** available for a fee.
- Meet and network with other like-minded professionals.
- Create a welcoming environment for your clients.

💫 **Large Shared Space Available for Rent**
Looking to host events or classes? Our spacious shared area is perfect for activities like yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, art therapy events, sound baths, meditation, and educational workshops. All with straightforward, transparent fees!

💬 Contact Us Today!
Reach out for more information or to schedule a tour. Explore the space that could be your perfect fit!
Email:Contact.ecwellness@gmail.com

03/17/2025

📣 Were looking for you!

🌿 Looking for a Flexible, Inviting Space for Your Practice?🌿

At our Counseling and Wellness Center, we understand that every wellness professional has unique needs. That’s why our versatile office spaces are designed to fit your practice style.

✨ **Office Space for Rent**
Fully furnished and ready for you with adjustable use flexibility. No long-term commitment required! Perfect for therapists, life coaches, nutritionists, independent wellness NPs/PAs, massage therapists, energy healers, acupuncturists, chiropractors, hypnotherapists, reiki practitioners, art therapists, meditation coaches and other wellness practitioners.

📍 **Located in the Heart of Thriving Texas Corners (Kalamazoo)**
This is your opportunity to comfortably work in a space that just feels right.

🌱 Why Choose Us?
- Flexible spaces to grow your business on your terms.
- Monthly **Social Work Supervision** available for a fee.
- Meet and network with other like-minded professionals.
- Create a welcoming environment for your clients.

💫 **Large Shared Space Available for Rent**
Looking to host events or classes? Our spacious shared area is perfect for activities like yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, art therapy events, sound baths, meditation, and educational workshops. All with straightforward, transparent fees!

💬 Contact Us Today!
Reach out for more information or to schedule a tour. Explore the space that could be your perfect fit!
Email:Contact.ecwellness@gmail.com

02/15/2025

Hey there, I’m Elaine! Full-time mama to 3 wild and amazing boys, partner to my husband John, and a passionate advocate for a holistic approach to physical and mental health. I'm a Licensed Master Social Worker and proud owner of a counseling and wellness center in Southwest Michigan where I get to work alongside amazing providers. 💚 In my career life I also recently joined a local hospital’s mental health team and enjoy spending one day a week working with middle schoolers (who I’ve surprisingly come to love!). My therapy approach? Eclectic—kind of like my fashion! I mix different techniques to create a personalized approach for each person I work with. ✨

When I’m not busy with mental health, I’m with my family (human & fur), at sporting events, enjoying nature, cooking or diving into a good yoga class or latest episode of one of my reality shows. I’m obsessed with Michigan summers but appreciate every season’s beauty and the transformation it brings. 🌿

I aspire to continue to learn about the world around me and myself. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with ADHD which has given me so much understanding of why I operate how i do (constantly on overdrive) and also the tools to embrace how my brain works. It’s empowering to learn and grow with this new perspective (and one of the reasons I continue to work towards creating more simplicity in my life). Luckily , as a Type B personality, I try to stay laid-back, grounded, and true to myself! 💫

If you’ve been following along, thank you! If you’re new here, welcome! I can’t wait to share bits of mental health, wellness, and life with you all. Let’s keep growing together! 🌱

Thanks for stopping by! 💖

Don't forget to stay up to date and follow me on Instagram @ life_with_Laineylee