Walters Counseling, LLC

02/04/2026

Remember, way back in elementary school, when your teacher made you write the same thing repeatedly, you took notes by hand, and studying for a test meant copying the most important passages from your textbook into a notebook? There was, in fact, reason for doing so. We really do learn more, and retain it for a longer time period, when we handwrite information. Journaling by hand is also more effective. Yes, you can type your journal entries into your phone or computer, but they tend to be much more effective if you write them out by hand--even if you then destroy the entry. Research not only concurs with this, it suggests that spending time daily hand writing information (on paper, not with a stylus on a tablet) can actually reduce your risk of dementia. Just another reminder that perhaps it's time for all of us to put down our technology and go old-school, picking up a pen and notepad instead.

Background: The advent of digital technology has significantly altered ways of writing. While typing has become the dominant mode of written communication, handwriting remains a fundamental human skill, and its profound impact on cognitive processes ...

01/28/2026

Looking for love? It can feel impossibly difficult, both in meeting someone and deciding if they may be the one for you. If they haven't checked off all 4 of the boxes in this article, though, they likely are not. It sounds simple, even "duh"-worthy, but in reality, it can be easy to decide someone is "good enough" and stop the search. Give yourself the time and respect to find someone who will be most likely to go the distance with you, and walk away from the relationships that won't.

If a partner doesn't meet all four of these standards, they may not be right for you.

01/21/2026

There are so many things that test a partnership, from big things like family deaths to small things, like a shirt that's been left out. How do you handle these within your relationship? Do you talk about them honestly, seeking to find mutual understand and support for each other, or do you hold onto them, grasping at the perceived wrongs for dear life. Just recognizing this may provide some insight into relationship, and your role in it. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/style/modern-love-not-putting-away-shirt.htm

Sometimes it’s the uneventful stretches of marriage that can be the real stress test.

01/14/2026

We all know that some areas of the world are known for scoring higher on happiness ratings than others. What about these cultures, regions, or people lead to these scores? A more balanced work-life schedule is a part of this. Societal decisions, such as provision of free or reasonably-priced childcare and healthcare, and exposure to nature also influence the level of contentment. As does the awareness of and support for mental health needs, both large and small. It may feel difficult to impossible to bring many, if not all, of these into your daily life, but look for small things that you can do differently. Maybe you start a nightly walk around your neighborhood, looking for changes in trees, potted plants, or pets in windows. Perhaps you consciously stop work at a specific time daily, and refrain from looking at email or answering phone calls outside of work hours. Or maybe you look to truly identify what you do and do not have control over and what you need in order to accept or cope with the situation regardless. It may not be easy, and you certainly won't be perfect at it, but we can all make small changes that will help to increase our own contentment, if not also that of those within our communities.

Even with no sunlight for parts of the year, people in Finland thrive when it comes to their life satisfaction.

01/07/2026

Owning a gun comes with many responsibilities, but, in my opinion, the top one being the safety of yourself and others, particularly children. The easiest, and most responsible way to store guns are in protected cabinets, with trigger locks. This website connects people to free storage kits, and provides information on many other types of community resources.

Project ChildSafe is a program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation to promote fi****ms safety and education.

12/31/2025

As we start a new year, we tend to reflect back on the past and forward on desired changes or exciting upcoming events. Either way, there is often much judgement involved, rather than sitting with a moment or memory and trying to enjoy it. For this next year, I wish you more time staying present with yourself and each of those moments, momentous ones and everyday-types, finding joy and contentment where you are, rather than always moving on to whatever is next.

Tired of living a life without flavor? A few adjustments will have you on your way to a new and enriched existence.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas!

12/17/2025

As we are rapidly approaching the shortest day of the year, many people are thinking about how to get more sunlight and the effects of being outdoors on symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. While sunlight is important, being out in nature (think forests and beaches, not a walk through Center City) is as well. Research suggests that this exposure increases are brain function for mental health and cognitive abilities. Try to leave all screens behind, and keep your music or podcasts off in order to truly immerse yourself in the experience. Don't have a nature preserve within easy reach? While not quite as powerful, playing nature sounds or looking at nature imagery can also be helpful. Perhaps try to find time as often as you can to step outside and enjoy everything nature has to offer near you!

An expert explains how just minutes in nature can restore focus, lift mood, and help the brain recover from the fatigue of modern life.

12/10/2025

We all know how hard change can be. We think about, make our best efforts, and still end up missing our goal. The stages of change model gives us more insight into why we can't seem to truly follow through with the goals we have set for ourselves. Most likely, we've rushed through the stage of preparation, and need to revisit this before trying again. As with everything else in life, it is important to remember that change is not linear--it goes up and down, and we have to continue working on it to achieve our desired results, trying not to judge ourselves throughout the process.

Sorry, Jedi Master Yoda, but trying is possible! In this video, you’ll learn about the stages of change and how to give grace to yourself or others while pur...

12/03/2025

Welcome to National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month! (It just rolls off the tongue, right?) December can be a stressful month. Between normal day-to-day tasks, social events, planning, decorating, and shopping for holidays, and the stress of travel, it can become an overwhelming experience, to say the least. Try to take some time every week, if not every day, to slow down and stay present in the moment. Maybe it's just 10 minutes to gather up your family and have hot chocolate together. Or perhaps you need to get cozy under a soft blanket and read. It could be that you take your bath with some peppermint oil this time of year. Whatever it is, actively schedule it in for yourself this month and give yourself routine breaks.

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/19/2025

When is the last time you hugged someone? A fair amount of research has been completed on hugging, and it is generally accepted that 20 seconds is the minimum length for a hug that increases the feel-good chemicals in our body, and increases the feeling of connection with the person we are hugging. Have a stressful situation coming up later in the day? Get a hug from a loved-one beforehand! Feeling disconnected from your partner? While not a long-term solution, a hug will help bring you together. Your kid seems a bit overly-emotional? Try a long hug and see what happens. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202510/people-who-hug-daily-are-less-depresse

Is hugging frequently linked to better mental health? A new study from Germany provides an answer.