Pillars of Life Counseling

11/30/2022

Therapist: Ginny Dalton, LCSW-S, PMH-C
Ginny is a passionate, supportive and caring provider who’s interest is to walk alongside your journey through parenthood—wether you’re hoping to become a parent, are a new parent or are currently expecting. Ginny understands the challenges that come with these life changes and wants to support you through them. She is trained and certified in perinatal mental health and in addition provides EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, which supports trauma work.
Ginny states in her website, “I believe your mental health is important, and everyone deserves the opportunity to feel empowered, to grow, and to health in a collaborative, peaceful, trauma-informed environment.”
Ginny is currently paneled with Tricare, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Superior Health Plan, Medicaid, United Healthcare, Optum, GEHA, and several EAPs. Visit her website for more information at www.myusawa.org or call 210-951-3479 to schedule with her.

11/25/2022

Ashley Waclawiak, LCSW, RPT, PMH-C:

Ashley’s experience stems from her practice in a variety of settings as a NICU and hospital perinatal social worker, outpatient hospice and inpatient psychiatric therapist. She has also worked as a school based clinician and has been in private practice for the last four years specializing in treatment of women and children.
Ashley is a private pay provider & you can learn more about her services in her website: https://www.awwellness.com
Ashley also works as a volunteer for PSI’s support group: Mental Health Support for Special Needs & Medically Fragile Parenting.
Ashley is a warm, caring and passionate provider that serves parents through many of the stages that we can go through. Check out her website, her services and give her a call to begin your therapy journey.
Thank you Ashley for everything you do to serve in our community —SA Maternal Wellness

09/01/2021

🗓September 1st: 🎉Pillars of Life Counseling is 4 years old! 🎉 All I can say is that it has been an incredible blessing to see this practice arrive to this day.
🎁 The most rewarding part of this journey has been and continues to be the trust that many have and continue to place in the therapeutic relationship we establish. I value and cherish the trust, vulnerability and courage that every single past, current and future client places in the process that is therapy. It is simply an honor to be able to step into the depths of an individuals life; it’s an honor to witness their growth and to sit with them through the challenges.
🛋 My practice would not be here without the support of all who have believed in me. As a therapist, having community and support is so important. I appreciate all of you who have trusted me with your referrals, collaborations, words of encouragement and mentorship.
💛 Changes may come and go, but my passion and commitment to serve my community remains.
☕️Coffee cheers to 4 years 🌻✨🎉

08/26/2021

⏰Time for a Postpartum Wellness Check-In. Wether you are 2 weeks postpartum or a year and half, this is for you. Do you spend time checking in on your wellness? It’s very common not to, so you’re not alone in that.
📝I have created a check-in and it will not be quick, but it will give you a good picture of some important areas in your life. Link is in my bio to download the PDF for your individual use.
💛Tips to complete the check-in:
1. Ask your support person for alone time to complete it.
2. Create a comfortable space to write your answers.
3. If you have a hard time answering, ask someone you trust to help you. Speaking to someone can help.
4. Set a date to follow up and complete another one, then compare for improvement or challenges that need attention.
You can use this handout to communicate how you are doing with your loved ones, doula, midwife, medical and/or mental health provider. You can also use it as a tool to help you monitor your experience and seek help when you need it.
🌻 Remember, you are not alone.


This handout is intended for individual use only. To request permission to distribute or to make modifications, email me at esmeralda@pillarsoflifecounseling.com. Thank you!

08/19/2021

❤️This is one of my favorite childhood pictures. It reminds me of my grit, joy, and smile that at some point in my motherhood I lost. A few years ago, I ran into Kristina Kuzmic and it changed my motherhood experience. Ultimately, leading me to supporting other moms.
✨Kristina gathered a group of friends and talked about “The things we tell ourselves.” Powerful. I have linked the video in my bio.
💔As mothers, as women, we can be cruel with ourselves. How often do we fill our day with the “I should have done,” “I should not have done,” “I am a terrible…” and the list goes on. If not careful, it goes on every day.
✨This is where Kristina pulls out her friends’ childhood pictures and asks them to tell that child the things they tell themselves today. Could you?
✨Motherhood is not perfect, we aren’t perfect and we will make mistakes. Those mistakes, still do not measure our success as mothers. Our children’s eyes do. Make room for grace, compassion and patience for growth. If you pulled out that childhood picture, what would you say to her?
🙌🏽My hope for you is that every day, even if something cruel makes it into your mind, is expressed or acted upon, that you stop and rephrase/redo, uplift and encourage yourself. 🌻

07/22/2021

What is your child into right now?

❤️❤️❤️🎉

07/20/2021

⚠️Basic needs can be self-care needs. I know there have been opposing messages through social media. One thing we are forgetting in sharing a well-intended message, is that parents go through stages. As much as we may not want basic needs to be self-care, there are stages in which that is all we have capacity for.
No one wants to wake up to the realization that basic needs have turned into self-care needs, the truth is that postpartum stages and adjustment to them can limit our access, energy, focus, priorities and mental capacity for more than what is available in the particular stage.
🙌🏽I encourage us all to empower those around us to identify ways in which they can engage in self-care, even if that is taking a shower alone, going to the restroom alone, having quiet time or whatever their need is. In that season, that is what gives back, may ground them and/or give them the energy to return to the demands of parenthood. Everyone’s experience is unique and everyone’s self-care needs are too, wether you need to go on an hour jog or just sit to eat a meal quietly, without interruptions; it’s about what it gives back to you in that season.
🌻Parenthood is a lot, remember to be gentle on yourself as you maneuver it and grow into it.
💛With kindness & compassion,
Esmeralda
Examples on each stage are just examples, they look different to everyone. 🌻

07/17/2021

This hits our core. So much to relate to. You truly are not alone.

07/11/2021

Isn’t this a struggle?!

07/09/2021

Parenthood challenges us and can lead us to question our worth as a parent. Maybe we noticed we had a “temper,” little to no patience, desiring to be alone, among many other things that seem “wrong.” The truth is, in spite of those uncomfortable moments and/or days, there is beauty in you.
I invite you to slow down today. Notice your beauty. I know it may be challenging, and if so, put on your child’s lens and look at yourself through it. There really is beauty in you, even in those imperfections and rough days.
As you read through this beautiful quote, take some drop breaths and let it sink in. 🌻

07/06/2021

✔️It’s not an easy 1-2-3 step process. It takes time, commitment, openness, flexibility and awareness. It can be so uncomfortable, yet so rewarding. The process is worth it for you and for your child. We are perfectly imperfect and yet, we can show up to parenthood authentically, lovingly and with a constant growth mindset.
🧩As you explore these areas, you may find that some are more challenging. For support as you navigate through this, remember that Pillars of Life Counseling is here to walk through that journey with you. Call us and schedule with Esmeralda Cardenas, LPC, PMH-C or Linda Strano Burton, LPC Associate.

07/06/2021

What are your thoughts on this? Would you have enjoyed or appreciated a postpartum shower/party? Does it feel some kind of uncomfortable way or does that sound super exciting?

Postpartum parties, where friends and family pitch in on household chores or make meals, can often be more helpful to a new mom than a baby shower.