The Blue Couch

01/26/2026

01/26/2026

We love when occupational therapy and mental health speak the same language. 💙

Meltdowns signal dysregulation, not defiance. Before teaching, correcting, or disciplining, kids (and their caregivers!) need their nervous system brought back to baseline.

This reel offers simple, body-based ways to build connection and support regulation when it matters most.

01/22/2026

Meet Our Newest Team Member: Brittny Mueller, MSW, LCSW-PIP, QMHP

We’re so excited to welcome Brittny to The Blue Couch team! 💙

Brittny is a licensed clinical social worker with a passion for supporting children and caregivers as they navigate big emotions, life transitions, and complex trauma. With experience in residential settings and social services, she brings compassion, insight, and a strong belief that everyone deserves a safe and healthy connection - to themselves and the world around them.

Join us in giving Brittny a warm welcome!

Brittny sees clients at our 57th Street office. To schedule or connect with Brittny: Brittny@thebluecouchcounseling.com or www.thebluecouchcounseling.com

01/05/2026

Music sets the tone before words ever do. Research shows that music activates parts of the brain linked to emotion, regulation, and connection. A simple morning song can become a shared ritual—helping kids feel grounded, seen, and emotionally ready for the day. It’s not about perfect mornings; it’s about small moments of connection that say, “We’re in this together.” 💙

Our full month of January wake-up songs is a great way to start your days for the whole of January.

You can set them as your alarm, put them on during your morning routine, or listen to them on your commute. You can also make listening to them a group activity with family or friends every morning.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Blue Couch 💙

The end of the year invites reflection on what we’ve carried, what we’ve released, and how far we’ve come. We are honored to walk alongside children, families, and adults doing brave, meaningful work.

May this season offer you rest where you need it, connection where you long for it, and compassion for yourself along the way.

Warm holiday wishes to you and yours. 💙

12/16/2025

Busy hands help calm brains. These two toys do more than they look like:

🐶 Slinky Dog
Great for busy hands, body awareness, and movement. Stretching, pulling, and watching it bounce helps kids release energy while staying engaged.

🖍️ Etch A Sketch
Perfect for creativity and regulation. Drawing, shaking, erasing, and starting again supports focus, frustration tolerance, and flexible thinking.

Fidgets aren’t about distraction, they’re about helping nervous systems settle so kids can connect, learn, and play. 💙

What’s your favorite fidget right now?

12/03/2025

Peace doesn’t mean everything is quiet, only that we’re steady enough on the inside to handle what’s happening on the outside.

As families gather and routines shift, emotions can run high. This season, we encourage you to slow down, lean into connection, and show yourself the same compassion you offer others.

From our Blue Couch family to yours: wishing you warmth, connection, and gentle moments of peace. 💙

11/25/2025

Family gatherings can be fun… but they can also be a lot for kids. New environments, loud spaces, disrupted routines, and alllll the expectations can make emotional regulation harder than usual.

Here are a few gentle ways to support your child through the weekend:

11/11/2025

In this week’s Live, Dr. Staci Born explored Michelle Icard’s “Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen,” a guide to building stronger, calmer communication with tweens and teens. 💬

One of the key takeaways was Icard’s B.R.I.E.F. Model, a powerful framework for having meaningful conversations without the meltdowns.

B.R.I.E.F.
🅑 Begin peacefully – Choose the right time and tone to start.
🅡 Relate to your child – Lead with empathy, not authority.
🅘 Interview for data – Ask curious questions instead of giving lectures.
🅔 Echo what you hear – Reflect back so they feel understood.
🅕 Give your Feedback – Keep it short and supportive.

✨ These conversations aren’t about perfection—they’re about connection.
Catch the full Live recording on our page for practical examples and heartfelt insights from Icard's book.

11/11/2025

Today, we pause with deep gratitude for the courage, service, and sacrifice of all who have served. Your dedication protects the freedom and peace we hold dear.

Thank you for your strength, resilience, and commitment. 💙

11/10/2025

Parenting tweens can feel like walking a tightrope: they’re craving independence but still deeply need our guidance.

This Tuesday, 11/11 at 2:30pm CST, join Dr. Staci Born, LIVE from The Blue Couch for a heart-centered chat about the book “14 Conversations to Have Before Age 14” by Michelle Icard.

We’ll unpack what these conversations are, why they matter, and how to approach them in everyday moments - from car rides to bedtime chats. 🚗🌙

Bring your coffee, your questions, and your curiosity. Let’s talk about how small conversations can make a big impact in raising emotionally healthy, connected kids. 💙

11/04/2025

November is a month for gratitude, a time to pause, reflect, and notice the good that surrounds us. 💙

At The Blue Couch, we hold deep gratitude for the community that makes healing possible. From the families who trust us, the children who show up bravely, and the many helpers who walk beside them.

These familiar friends represent the comfort and connection that guide our work.

Thank you for being part of our circle of care.