Road to Hope Counseling LLC

04/04/2026

At some point in our life, many of us learned that tears were a sign of weakness. That we should hold it together. But crying is not falling apart. It’s your nervous system doing what it’s designed to do.

When you cry, your body releases stress. Your breathing slows down (eventually). Something that was locked up inside you gets to move. Tears are your body’s way of saying “I’m carrying something real and it matters.“

You don’t need to explain it. A song or a memory can start that release before you even know it’s happening.

Let yourself feel it. All the way through.

03/28/2026

03/21/2026

My practice is currently full and I’m not accepting new clients.

I’m so grateful for the trust so many of you have placed in my work. It truly means a lot. ☺️

A waitlist is available, and I periodically open a limited number of spots. If you would like to be notified when availability opens, please email me at roadtohopecounseling@gmail.com

03/17/2026

Honoring those who serve in a whole new way ♟️

Join me in supporting a local veteran who’s giving back to the community with a FREE chess event!

All skill levels welcome. Come learn, play, and be part of something meaningful. 🇺🇸

03/12/2026

“Is it normal to feel exhausted after therapy sessions?”

The answer is “Sometimes”.

Most clients feel a sense of relief or a weight lifted after a therapy session.

But, if the session was a highly emotional one, you can feel exhausted. That’s ok! Not every session is an intense one.

Your therapy session can be whatever you make it. Light hearted, serious, deeply emotional, or just processing your normal routines. 🙂

03/10/2026

🫠

02/27/2026

Here is the pattern that happens inside your head that strengthens your fear. 

This is called “The Cycle of Fear” 😬

Safety Crutches are a big part of the cycle of fear. These are a set of coping skills that allow you to tolerate situations you would otherwise avoid. They are called crutches because you lean on them for your sense of security.🩼

Here is a scenario using the different parts of the cycle of fear:

-You need to drive on an interstate where you have previously had a bad experience- Approach Threat 😳

-You have a your friend go with you, you pack your anti-anxiey medication “just in case”, you check your pulse as traffic increases- Grab Safety Crutch 🩼

-You Feel Relief 😮‍💨

-You think about what it would have been like if you didn’t have your crutches- Could Have Been Dangerous 😬

-You think your crutches “worked” because you avoided disaster - Safety Crutches Helped 😎

-You think “made it through that time” or “thank goodness I didn’t get in a wreck” - Associate Event with Danger ‼️

-The next time you have to drive that interstate or a similar road, your fear of threat returns and you begin reaching for your crutches again..- Fear About Event Gets Stronger 👹

02/24/2026

This is called “Rehearsing” and it’s a safety crutch to try and manage feeling uncomfortable.

Your anxiety makes you think that you need to do this to make sure you don’t mess anything up. But, it just keeps the fear going. 😰

It’s a false sense of security.

Next time we will look at the “Cycle of Fear” and how it feeds that anxiety monster in your brain. 👹 Look for the post later this week!

02/10/2026

I am a Certified Gottman Therapist and also have training in Emotion Focused Therapy. I’ve pursued specialized training in couples struggling with intimacy, infidelity, neurodiversity, early recovery from chemical dependency, and military/veterans reunification after deployment.

Sessions are virtual only Tuesday-Friday,
11:00 AM-7:00PM.

Licensed in Ohio and West Virginia.

02/06/2026

That task for me is calling the doctor’s office back when they leave me a message to reschedule my appointment. 😎 What about you?