Ellis Counseling

02/18/2026

02/17/2026

Viktor Frankl’s legacy proves that meaning is the ultimate anchor. Suffering is endurable the moment it finds a meaning.

02/14/2026

New research reveals that constant complaining does more than annoy those around you—it can actually weaken your brain. Every time you focus on what’s wrong, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol, which interfere with neural function and reduce the brain’s ability to adapt and learn.

The impact is not just mental. Elevated cortisol levels can impair memory, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Over time, a habit of negativity can make your brain less resilient, affecting emotional regulation and overall cognitive performance. Essentially, the more you complain, the harder it becomes for your brain to handle challenges effectively.

Shifting your focus from problems to solutions isn’t just good advice—it’s backed by science. Practising gratitude, positive thinking, and constructive problem-solving can lower stress hormones, strengthen neural pathways, and help your brain remain agile and adaptable throughout life.

02/05/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Finally found relief."

02/04/2026

We are over the moon to welcome our new intern Janie Ruppert to the team. Janie will be seeing clients under the supervision of our staff free of charge. If you know someone who can benefit from counseling please contact us at 334-358-2455 .

02/01/2026

The people you spend time with literally physically rewire your brain’s response to stress.

Our nervous systems do not exist in isolation; they are deeply interconnected through a biological process known as co-regulation.

When we interact with others, our autonomic nervous systems begin to synchronize, causing our heart rates, breathing patterns, and stress levels to mirror those around us. This phenomenon, often called 'limbic resonance,' means that being around calm and supportive individuals can actually lower our cortisol levels and improve our vagal tone—the body's ability to recover from stress. Conversely, constant exposure to criticism, hostility, or chaos keeps the body in a persistent state of 'fight-or-flight,' effectively training the brain to remain hyper-vigilant and defensive.

Because our brains are plastic and adapt to repetitive environments, the long-term impact of our social circles is profound. We don't just 'catch' a friend's mood; we internalize their physiological state through a two-step process of unconscious mirroring and biological feedback. To protect your mental and physical well-being, it is essential to proactively manage your social environment. Choosing to spend time with predictable, trustworthy people and setting firm boundaries with those who drain your energy are not just social preferences—they are vital biological necessities for maintaining a regulated nervous system and a sense of internal safety.

source: Red Beard Somatic Therapy. (2023). The Power of Co-Regulation. Red Beard Somatic Therapy.

01/04/2026

Repeated negative focus physically reshapes how your brain functions.

Complaining feels harmless, even relieving, but your brain experiences it differently. Each time you focus on what is wrong, your body releases cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Cortisol is useful in short bursts, but chronic exposure changes how the brain operates. High cortisol levels interfere with the hippocampus, a region critical for learning, memory, and emotional regulation. At the same time, stress strengthens neural pathways linked to threat detection and pessimism. The more you complain, the more your brain becomes trained to scan for problems. This is not a mindset issue. It is a wiring issue.

Neuroscience shows that the brain adapts to what it repeatedly practices. This ability is called neuroplasticity. When your attention constantly returns to frustration, blame, or irritation, the brain reinforces those circuits. Stress chemicals reduce synaptic flexibility, making it harder for the brain to form new connections. Creativity drops. Problem solving narrows. Emotional resilience weakens. Over time, the brain becomes less adaptable and more rigid, locked into survival mode instead of growth mode. What feels like venting is often repeated rehearsal of stress.

This matters because attention is not neutral. What you focus on trains your brain. Shifting focus does not mean ignoring real problems. It means choosing how long you live inside them. When you redirect attention toward solutions, gratitude, or curiosity, cortisol decreases and neural flexibility improves. Your brain does not just respond to events. It responds to patterns. And the patterns you practice shape how strong and adaptable your mind becomes.

01/01/2026

Recent psychological research suggests that human thoughts may not always originate from conscious creation, but are instead received by the mind. According to psychologists, the brain functions as a receiver for ideas, emotions, and mental impressions that emerge seemingly spontaneously, often influenced by external stimuli, memory, and subconscious processing. This perspective challenges traditional views of thought as purely self-generated.
Studies indicate that many thoughts appear in consciousness without deliberate intention, prompting reflection, creativity, and decision-making. The brain integrates information from sensory input, past experiences, and social environments, creating a continuous stream of mental content that individuals interpret as personal thinking. Recognizing that thoughts may be received rather than invented can change the way people understand decision-making, creativity, and the unconscious mind.
This idea also has implications for mindfulness and mental health. By observing thoughts as incoming signals rather than personal creations, individuals can reduce over-identification with negative or intrusive thoughts, promoting emotional regulation and clarity. Techniques like meditation and cognitive awareness exercises encourage noticing thoughts without judgment, improving focus, stress management, and overall mental well-being.
Understanding that thoughts may arrive independently highlights the complex interplay between consciousness, perception, and cognition, offering a fresh perspective on how the mind operates and how individuals can relate to their own mental experiences.

11/04/2025

Humanity over everything ❤️🙏

10/23/2025

🚨Scientists have confirmed that Schizophrenia’s “voices” are the brain mishearing its own thoughts.

In a breakthrough study, neuroscientists have confirmed a long-suspected theory about schizophrenia: the "voices" many patients hear aren't imaginary external threats, but the brain misinterpreting its own internal thoughts.

Using EEG to track brainwave activity, researchers at the University of New South Wales found that in people with schizophrenia who experience hallucinations, the brain's ability to distinguish self-generated speech from external sound breaks down. Normally, when we speak silently in our heads, the brain dampens activity in the auditory cortex to filter out the expected sound. But in these individuals, that dampening doesn’t occur. Instead, their auditory cortex activates—as if someone else is speaking.

The study involved 142 participants and revealed that when people with auditory hallucinations imagined saying a word while hearing it through headphones, their brains overreacted. This suggests a failure in the brain's prediction system, leading it to misclassify internal dialogue as external speech. This finding not only deepens our understanding of schizophrenia’s root causes but could also pave the way for early diagnostic tools that detect these neural misfires before full psychosis develops. Such early intervention could transform how clinicians approach and treat schizophrenia.

Source: "Corollary Discharge Dysfunction to Inner Speech and its Relationship to Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders." Schizophrenia Bulletin, 21 October 2025.

10/04/2025

A recent study found that physical affection may play a bigger role in men’s well-being than almost anything else. According to the research, 82% of men said simple gestures from their partners — like hugging, holding hands, or just being close — were the most important factor in managing stress and feeling truly happy. Scientists linked these small acts of intimacy to boosts in oxytocin, reductions in stress hormones, and noticeable improvements in overall mood.

Even though men reported heavy pressure from jobs, money, and daily responsibilities, intimacy consistently ranked as the number one way they recharged emotionally. The findings underscore just how central connection is to mental health, suggesting that the quiet power of affection may be one of the strongest buffers against stress.