WellBeing

12/13/2025

“Estrangement is not sudden, it’s long overdue. Because no contact, you learned, isn’t bitter or cold. It’s choosing your peace over the myth you were sold. “

If this resonates with you, you are not alone & might benefit from reading the entire post below:

There’s nothing abusive about stepping away from a relationship you never consented to. There’s nothing immoral about it. There’s nothing unethical about it.
Theres’s nothing “anti-bible” about it, either (my undergrad degree was in biblical studies, for those keeping score).

It’s not abuse when an adult child cuts contact. Period.

You may not like the fact that your adult child chooses to keep their life separate from yours, but disappointment, discomfort, and even grief do not equal abuse.

Labeling autonomy as harm because you’re angry about losing control doesn’t make it so. And it’s the “kids these days” who need to grow up?

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

WellBeing & Apollo are wishing you the Peace, Joy & Hope of the Holiday Season.

Whether your Christmas is White, Blue or Flashy ….. we are here when you are ready to “Express Your Elf”🧝🏻‍♀️ 🧝🏼

11/29/2025

Post-Thanksgiving discount available! (Mention this add! $25 off an Inital Assessment)

I’ve heard therapist refer to Thanksgiving as “Family Intervention” or “Family Implosion” Day. I’ve also heard stories from many clients in my office through the years, that back that up.

If you find yourself navigating some family turmoil during the holidays, let’s talk & see if therapy with me is a good fit for you.

Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist…. I can see clients virtually from anywhere in Virginia & Louisiana.

11/25/2025

Navigating Conflicts during the Holidays.

Tips from the American Psychiatric Association.

11/20/2025

Mindful Holiday Gift Giving Ideas:

I love these suggestions below.

In addition to the effects of the government lay offs & shutdown and lapses & cuts in rightfully qualified benefits…….many are now faced with a severe rise in their healthcare costs. May we all take a minute to think about who may appreciate these ideas.

What would you add as mindful gift giving suggestions?

11/06/2025

Always important… even more so during the holidays.

11/05/2025

People who suffer from Complex PTSD often experience a series of events in which the power structure dehumanizes and abuses them. Most often, the system offers no recourse, correction, or apology. Such unresolved trespasses can accumulate and compound over time.

When we become angry instead of numb, it's actually a sign of progress! Numbing/not reacting/shut-down is the "freeze" response. Our limbic system freezes when there is no other viable option. Our early environments taught us there was no way out; shut-down was the safest survival adaptation.

But once we are resourced enough we can leave the freeze response and move into "fight," which is active and powerful. Our anger is likely to increase, which can be disconcerting, especially when we are taught it's bad/wrong or even dangerous to express anger. (This is mainstream culture!)

But anger is our body's natural and normal response to violations or perceived violations. This can seem dangerous, but with a little knowledge and focused attention, we can direct our anger in healthful ways that improve our quality of life.

For instance, whenever I feel rage over the medical abuse I endured, I take one small step toward creating justice. I write a paragraph, look up a potential ally, or add some data to the file.

One small decisive act can bring us out of impotent rage or despair and help us move toward a better future.

10/20/2025

October 19th is National "Evaluate your life day"!

Where are you & where do you want to be in the following areas... and are they congruent? Would you like to walk through a guided step by step review of each, then develop and take actionable steps to head toward your personal or group goals? Here is what my “Life Assessment” program covers:
1) Family Life
2) Professional Life
3) Physical Health
4) Emotional / Mental Health
5) Spiritual Life
6) Financial Life
7) Social Life (relationships, etc.)
8 ) Your House / Home

Is where you ARE matching up with where you want to be? If not, you have so many opportunities for assistance! Two of those are counseling or life coaching.

BEST PRACTICE FOR FINDING A THERAPIST:
You can call the 800 # on the back of your insurance card for a list of in-network providers (licensed therapist / counselors) in your area or get recommendations from friends & family. Oftentimes out-of-network isn't that much more expensive than in network & it's worth it to find the best fit for you.

BEST PRACTICE FOR FINDING A LIFE COACH:
There are certifications for Life Coaches & you would want to make sure yours is certified & trained in the area in which they're coaching you (i.e. There are overall P.E. Coaches then there are those who specialize in baseball or football or even more specifically – your golf swing, passing, weight training. The same considerations apply when finding a qualified Life Coach)

Don't hesitate to comment here, message or call me for more information. My Counseling practice serves all of Virginia & Louisiana & WellBeing Life Coaching is available in person or Virtual wherever you are!

WellBeing Life Coaching is provided in-person; on-site or virtually. My absolute favorite Life Coaching exercise is the aforementioned “Life Assessment” followed by goal setting (with measured objectives & quarterly reviews of progress). There's a good bit of "groundwork" prior to the review of the 8 life areas... that's my “secret sauce” & where the magic is! This process is transformative for individuals, couples, families or groups.

Give Me 5 ~ Goodbye 2025 !
The first 5 individuals who reach out and register will receive 5% off registration for a 3-hour individual or group "Assessment & Goal Setting" workshop in late November / early December.

Comment “Give Me 5”, send a private message or contact me through my Psychology today profile https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/melinda-anne-ensley-north-chesterfield-va/1388912

Let’s get your, or your groups, journey moving forward in preparation for those 2026 New Years Goals!

Be Well! Take Care!

10/08/2025