Better Living Counseling Center

04/22/2026

🌈✨ We’re Heading to Pride! ✨🌈

Better Living Counseling Center is proud to be a vendor at the Lexington Pride Festival on May 30th, 2026—and we can’t wait to celebrate with our community! 💛

At Better Living Counseling Center, we are a locally owned psychotherapy practice right here in Lexington dedicated to providing hope, healing, and high-quality mental health care for people of all ages. Our team offers a wide range of services including individual therapy, family therapy, marriage counseling, and psychiatric medication management to support individuals and families through life’s challenges.

We work with clients navigating concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, life transitions, and more—always with the belief that everyone deserves a life worth living.

🌈 Why Pride Matters
Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder of visibility, acceptance, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Events like Pride help create safe, affirming spaces where individuals can show up as their authentic selves and access supportive resources. Mental health care that is inclusive and affirming is essential, and we are honored to be part of that mission.

💬 Stop by our booth to:
• Meet members of our team
• Learn more about our services
• Connect with local mental health resources
• Grab some fun goodies!

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for all—today and every day.

📍 Come see us on May 30th at Lexington Pride Festival!
📞 Questions or want to get connected? Call us at 859-233-8496

🌈💛

04/13/2026

💚✨ Mental Health Matters ✨💚

Hey there, friend 👋 — just a little reminder that your mental health matters… every single day. Not just on the hard days, not just when things feel overwhelming—but always. 💭💚

Life can get busy, stressful, and sometimes just plain heavy 😔 But you don’t have to carry it all on your own. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, or just need a safe space to talk—we’re here for you. 🤝

🌿 Good news! We’re accepting new clients! 🌿

💊 Brittany Robinson, PMHNP is welcoming new clients for medication management

🛋️ Brianna Mekelburg, LCSW is accepting new clients for therapy services

Our team is compassionate, down-to-earth, and ready to meet you exactly where you are—no judgment, just support 💛

📞 Give us a call at 859-233-8496 to get started
📅 Your future self will thank you for taking this step ✨

Because you deserve to feel better. You deserve support. And most importantly—you matter. 💚

04/07/2026

💙 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month 💙

At Better Living Counseling Center, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and protected. This month is a time to raise awareness, educate our community, and take action to prevent child abuse and neglect.

📊 The reality in Kentucky:
• Over 14,000 children in Kentucky were victims of abuse or neglect in a recent year
• The rate is about 14 per 1,000 children—nearly double the national average
• Kentucky consistently ranks among the highest states in the nation for child maltreatment

These numbers are difficult to hear—but awareness is a powerful step toward prevention.

⚠️ Common signs of child abuse may include:
• Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or personality
• Withdrawal, anxiety, or extreme fearfulness
• Nightmares or sleep disturbances
• Fear of going home or being around certain individuals
• Regressive behaviors (e.g., bedwetting, thumb sucking)
• Unexplained injuries or frequent complaints of pain
• Age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual behaviors

🧠 Mental health impacts associated with child abuse:
Children who experience abuse are at higher risk for:
• Anxiety and depression
• Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Behavioral challenges and emotional dysregulation
• Substance use disorders later in life
• Difficulties with relationships and trust

Child abuse doesn’t just impact the present—it can affect a child’s lifelong emotional and psychological well-being.

💡 What can we do?
• Stay informed and recognize the signs
• Support families and caregivers in your community
• Speak up—in Kentucky, everyone is a mandated reporter
• Encourage open conversations about safety and mental health

💙 Prevention starts with all of us.
If you suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, trust your instincts and take action. Your voice could make a life-changing difference.

If your child or family needs support, our team at Better Living Counseling Center is here to help. You are not alone.

Call us at 859-233-8496 ext 0 to learn more about our services!

03/30/2026

💙 A powerful mother-daughter duo making a difference 💙

We are so proud of therapists Anika Gooch, LCSW and Lone Gooch, LMFT for representing Better Living Counseling Center at the first-ever Rally for Recovery in Lexington, KY! 👏

Together, they showed up not only as clinicians—but as a mother and daughter team united in their passion for supporting individuals and families impacted by eating disorders. 💫

This event helped shine a light on the importance of awareness, connection, and access to regional resources for those who are struggling—and reminded our community that no one has to walk this journey alone. 🤝

✨ Why this matters:

• An estimated 9% of Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime
• Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental health conditions
• Nearly 1 in 4 individuals affected are male, highlighting the need for inclusive awareness
• Many begin in adolescence, with prevalence already seen in teens as young as 13–18

Events like this help break stigma, encourage early intervention, and connect people to life-saving care. 💙

We are honored to be part of a community that is committed to education, advocacy, and healing.

💙

03/23/2026

Trauma triggers can show up when we least expect them. 💛

A trauma trigger is anything that reminds your mind or body of a past painful, overwhelming, or frightening experience. A trigger can be a sound, smell, place, date, conversation, tone of voice, or even a feeling in your body. Sometimes people know exactly what triggered them — and sometimes they just notice a sudden wave of anxiety, panic, sadness, irritability, or the urge to shut down.

The important thing to know is this: having a trigger does not mean you are weak, broken, or “too sensitive.” It often means your nervous system is trying to protect you. 🫶

Here are a few ways to skillfully manage trauma triggers:
✨ Pause and notice what is happening without judging yourself
✨ Ground yourself in the present by naming 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear
✨ Slow your breathing to help signal safety to your body
✨ Remind yourself: “This is a trigger. I am safe right now.”
✨ Step away if needed and give yourself space to regulate
✨ Reach out for support from a trusted person or mental health professional

Healing does not mean never being triggered again. Healing often means learning how to recognize triggers, respond with self-compassion, and feel more in control when they arise. 🌿

Therapy can be a safe place to explore your triggers, understand your nervous system, and build tools that help you move through difficult moments with greater confidence and care. 💚

03/16/2026

🎉✨ Exciting News at Better Living Counseling Center! ✨🎉

We are so excited to share that Brianna Mekelburg, LCSW will be transitioning to full-time and offering in-person sessions beginning April 6th! 🏡💬

Brianna is a compassionate therapist who brings a trauma-informed and holistic approach to healing. She works to help clients reconnect with their mind, body, and inner resilience while navigating life’s challenges. 🌿🧠💛

Using evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, somatic work, and parts-based therapy, Brianna supports individuals working through trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and emotional healing. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered in their healing journey. 🤝✨

Brianna works with teens and adults and is passionate about helping people rediscover their strengths and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. 🌱💪

🗓 Starting April 6th: Full-time availability & in-person sessions
💳 Insurance accepted: Anthem, United, Cigna, and Aetna (commercial plans)
💲 Private pay also available

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Brianna as she expands her availability! 💚

📞 Call our office at 859-233-8496 to schedule or learn more!
🌐 Visit our website to get started today.

💚🧠✨

03/10/2026

💊 Now Accepting New Medication Management Clients!

Better Living Counseling Center is excited to share that Brittany Robinson, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is currently accepting new clients, with intake appointments available as early as next week! 🗓️

Brittany is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, evidence-based care and personalized medication management to support clients in improving their mental health and overall well-being. She is passionate about creating a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and supported. 💙

✅ Insurance Accepted:
• Anthem (Commercial)
• United Healthcare / UMR (Commercial)
• Cigna (Commercial)
• Private Pay

📍 Important: Initial intake appointments are required to be in person. Follow-up appointments may be available in person or via telehealth.

📞 Call 859-233-8496 ext.
📧 Email anika.gooch@betterlivingcounselingcenter.com

✨ New client intakes available as soon as next week!

03/06/2026

Happy Employee Appreciation Day to the incredible team at Better Living Counseling Center! 💙✨

Today we want to recognize and celebrate the compassionate, dedicated professionals who make our work possible every single day. Our team brings together a group of providers who are united by one shared mission—helping individuals and families heal, grow, and build lives worth living. 🌱🧠💚

From the leadership of Anika Gooch, LCSW to the expertise and care provided by Lone Gooch, LMFT, Jason Millikan, LPCA, Brianna Mekelburg, LCSW, Sharla Mize, LPCC, Jared Lee, LPCC, and Brittany Robinson, PMHNP, each member of our team plays an important role in supporting our clients and one another. 🤝💬

At Better Living Counseling Center, our providers work tirelessly to create a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their stories, strengthen relationships, and move toward meaningful change. 🛋️💭 Their compassion, professionalism, and dedication truly make a difference in our community every day. 🌟

To our team:
Thank you for the care you provide, the lives you impact, and the support you show each other behind the scenes. We are grateful for each of you and proud to work alongside such an amazing group of professionals. 💙👏

Please join us in celebrating the Better Living Counseling Center team today! 🎉🥳

💙🌿🧠

03/02/2026

💙✨ March is National Social Work Month ✨💙

At Better Living Counseling Center, we are proud to celebrate the incredible impact social workers make every day in our community and beyond. 🌎💛 Social workers are advocates, listeners, problem-solvers, and compassionate guides who help individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with dignity, support, and hope. 🤝🧠💬

This month, we want to give special recognition to our amazing Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Anika Gooch, LCSW and Brianna Mekelburg, LCSW. 🌟👏

Anika and Brianna embody the heart of social work through their dedication to client-centered care, advocacy, and empowering others on their healing journeys. 💚🌱 Their commitment to meeting clients where they are — with empathy, professionalism, and authenticity — helps create a safe space for healing, growth, resilience, and meaningful change every single day. 🫶✨

Social workers play a vital role in strengthening mental health, supporting communities, and promoting overall well-being. 🏡💙 We are deeply grateful for the compassion, expertise, and tireless work Anika and Brianna bring to Better Living Counseling Center and to every life they touch. 🌈🌻

Please join us in celebrating National Social Work Month by thanking a social worker who has made a difference in your life! 💌👏

02/23/2026

🌟💛 Better Living Counseling Center is proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 Rally for Recovery! 💛🌟

We are honored to support the 2026 NOT ONE MORE: Rally for Recovery Kentucky 🗓️ on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Bluegrass Community & Technical College 📍 right here in our Lexington community.

This powerful event brings people together to raise awareness around eating disorder recovery, celebrate strength and resilience 💪, and remind individuals and families that they are not alone 🤝💛. Recovery is possible — and community makes a difference. 🌈✨

As part of our sponsorship, Better Living Counseling Center has set a fundraising goal of $200 🎯💵 to support this meaningful cause. Every donation helps amplify recovery voices 📣, reduce stigma 🚫, and expand access to support and education in our community 📚💙.

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026kentuckyrally/account/2264514/

We invite you to stand with us, give if you’re able, and help us spread the message of hope and healing 🌿🕊️. Together, we can remind others: Not One More.

💛

Please help me in supporting the National Alliance for Eating Disorders' 2026 Rally for Recovery Kentucky!

02/22/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that our therapist, Jason Millikan, recently attended the The Ridge Winter Conference ❄️ where he had the opportunity to hear Elizabeth Smart speak. 🎤

Elizabeth Smart is a nationally recognized child safety advocate, author, and survivor who was abducted at the age of 14 and held captive for nine months before being safely recovered. Since then, she has dedicated her life to advocacy, prevention education, and empowering survivors through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. 💙 Her work focuses on prevention, recovery, and bringing hope and healing to those impacted by trauma.

We are especially honored that Jason was selected to ask Elizabeth a question during the conference! 🙌 He asked what she believes communities can do better to support survivors of trauma and prevent exploitation.

Her response was powerful and clear:

✨ Believe them.
👂 Listen to them.
🕊️ Allow them to process in their own time.

When it comes to prevention, she emphasized the importance of educating early 📚 — equipping children and families with knowledge, awareness, and tools before harm occurs. 🛡️

At Better Living Counseling Center, these principles deeply align with our mission. ❤️ We strive to create a safe, supportive environment where clients are believed, heard, and given the space they need to heal at their own pace. 🌱 Education, advocacy, and compassionate care are at the heart of what we do.

Thank you, Jason, for representing our practice and bringing back such meaningful insight. 👏💙

If you or someone you love is seeking support, we are here to help. 🤝 Call us at 📞 859-233-8496 to connect with one of our caring therapists.