Awaken Counseling

04/02/2026

Our therapist, Megan Heller-Foley, LCSW, recently attended a special Llama Farm Grief Gathering supporting families experiencing profound loss.

Families participated in a gentle grief activity, somatic-based yoga, and a candle-lighting ceremony where they shared memories of their loved ones. We are honored to be part of meaningful moments like this that help families remember and honor those they love.

03/31/2026

If you’ve ever felt like your partner shuts down the moment a difficult conversation comes up, you might be in a relationship with someone who has an avoidant attachment style. It can feel lonely when you have the sense that no matter what you say or how you say it, you can’t quite reach them.

But avoidant partners aren’t actually cold or uncaring; they’ve just learned from early experiences that uncomfortable feelings are best avoided. And when they shut down, it’s the only way they know how to cope.

To effectively reach them, try a different approach. Read more in our latest blog about several real strategies that can help you communicate more effectively with an avoidant partner without losing yourself in the process.

If you’ve tried these strategies and still feel like you’re hitting a wall, couples therapy can be a game-changer. A skilled therapist can help you both

03/29/2026

Therapist Going Global 🌍

Our therapists go to great lengths to learn how best to help their clients, even traveling to other countries!

Recently, our graduate intern therapist, Candra, went to the Netherlands to learn more about Narrative Therapy from Stichting Counselling Nederland. There, she practiced a therapeutic technique called a life map.

This includes designing your own country with a name that represents you. You then filled the map with cities, roads, bridges, waterways, and landmarks, symbolizing parts of your life, including the past, present, and future. This is a fun and creative way to envision your story and discover new perspectives on existing narratives. Give it a try sometime!

03/27/2026

Stressful days happen to everyone. We can’t start the day over, but no matter how far into it we are, we can pause and reset with some mindful intention. And doesn’t that sound even better with coffee or tea? Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a tea or coffee while engaging your senses by noticing the color, texture, and smell of the options in front of you.

2. Start boiling water and place the coffee or tea into a container for steeping. Notice the sound of the kettle heating the water and the sound of the tea leaves or coffee grounds hitting the container.

3. Pour the water over the coffee or tea. Watch the color transform and take in the beverage’s aroma as it steeps.

4. Take a slow sip and hold the liquid in your mouth a few seconds longer than usual before swallowing. Notice the warmth of the beverage and the taste. Feel the warmth spread from your mouth, through your throat, and into your core as you drink.

5. Repeat as needed.

03/25/2026

Supporting Our Local Teachers 💚

We were so grateful for the opportunity to spend time at Addison Elementary for Teacher Appreciation! Our therapist, Megan Heller-Foley, LCSW, had the chance to connect with some of the wonderful teachers there and recognize the incredible work they do every day.

Teachers play such an important role in the lives of children and families. Their patience, dedication, and care make a lasting difference in the emotional and academic growth of their students.

To all the teachers at Addison Elementary and beyond—thank you for everything you do for our community. We see the hard work, the compassion, and the heart you bring to your classrooms every day, and we are so grateful.

03/24/2026

Many parents imagine anxiety as constant worrying or panic attacks. But in teenagers, anxiety often shows up in ways that can look like something else.

Common signs of anxiety in teens include:

• Irritability or moodiness
• Avoiding school or activities they used to enjoy
• Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Perfectionism or intense fear of failure
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Spending more time alone or withdrawing from friends

Sometimes teens don’t say “I feel anxious.” Instead, they might say:

“I’m tired.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“It’s too stressful.”
“I just can’t deal with it.”

When anxiety starts affecting school, friendships, sleep, or daily life, support can make a big difference. The good news is that teens can learn practical skills to manage anxiety and build confidence.

If you feel your teen may need additional support, feel free to contact us.

Our therapists work with teens and families to help them better understand anxiety and develop tools to cope more effectively.

📞 678-310-0358
🌐 www.awakencounseling.com

03/21/2026

The possibilities can be endless.

03/18/2026

If you have a child who struggles with anxiety, your instinct is to protect them, and that makes complete sense. Watching your child feel scared, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable is hard.

But here’s something that might surprise you: some of the ways we try to help our anxious kids can actually make their anxiety worse over time.

The good news is that once you know the difference between enabling and supporting, you can shift your parenting approach in a way that truly helps.

Read more in our latest blog.

If you have a child who struggles with anxiety, your instinct is to protect them, and that makes complete sense. Watching your child feel scared, overwhelmed,

03/16/2026

🌟 Therapist Spotlight: Jennifer Shea, LAPC 🌟
Jennifer supports individuals, couples, and families as they navigate trauma, anxiety, addiction, relationship challenges, and the deep emotional impact of infertility or reproductive loss. She brings a warm, person‑centered approach that helps clients feel truly seen, heard, and supported.

Jennifer integrates EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the Gottman Method to create a tailored and compassionate therapeutic experience. She is especially passionate about helping clients heal from complex trauma, shame, childhood wounds, and betrayal trauma, guiding them toward greater clarity, resilience, and self‑understanding.

She offers both in‑person sessions in Marietta and virtual therapy for clients across Georgia.

Ready to get scheduled with Jennifer? Reach out to our office today to get started 📩

03/12/2026

Fear has a lot of power...until it doesn’t.

So often, we live in constant distress because of something we’re afraid of…
and we don’t know what to do with that fear or how to face it.

When fear goes unaddressed, it can quietly run our lives. It creates anxiety, avoidance, overthinking, and exhaustion.

Here’s the truth about fear:
It tends to hold the most power until we reach the point where we truly believe we can handle the worst-case outcome.

That doesn’t mean we want the worst to happen.
It means we get to a place where we know:
“If it did happen, I could cope. I could survive. I could figure it out.”

When we stop trying to eliminate fear and instead build confidence in our ability to handle discomfort, fear loosens its grip.

You don’t overcome fear by controlling every outcome.
You overcome fear by trusting yourself to handle even the toughest outcomes.

03/09/2026

📚 Book of the Month: Month Five!
This month, we’re highlighting a timeless and deeply impactful read about resilience, perspective, and the power of meaning.

Our March pick is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, recommended by Ashley Henry, LPC. “This book changed my life! I was able to understand that we cannot control our circumstances, but we can choose our attitude toward them."

About the Book:
Man’s Search for Meaning is a powerful classic that weaves together Viktor Frankl’s memoir of surviving N**i concentration camps with an introduction to his psychotherapeutic theory, logotherapy. Frankl proposes that our primary human drive is the search for meaning. Even amid profound suffering, he suggests we can discover purpose through the way we respond to hardship, through meaningful work, and through love. It remains a foundational text on resilience, perspective, and the strength of the human spirit.

Blending personal story with psychological insight, this book reminds us that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we do have the freedom to choose our response. It’s a profound exploration of purpose — especially in the face of suffering — and a meaningful read for anyone navigating challenge, transition, or personal growth.

If you’re looking for a book that offers depth, perspective, and lasting impact, this one is worth adding to your list.

Let’s continue reading (and growing) together.