Angela Sewell Counseling at The Barn

11/06/2025

11/06/2025

Sunny says Happy Wednesday!! You’re now on the downhill slide to the weekend!

11/04/2025

🦃Thanksgiving Assistance🦃

November is here, which means it is time for our Thanksgiving assistance program, courtesy of Toys Under the Rainbow.

In order to apply, you must be a Rainbow City resident and provide proof upon submission of your application. There will only be one gift card awarded per household. Gift cards will be for food purchases at Johnson's Giant Foods.

Applications can be picked up from our Police Clerk, Vicki Robinson, at 3700 Rainbow Drive, Rainbow City, AL 35906. They must be completed and turned back in to her.

***Application deadline is November, 17th 2025***

Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

Sparkle says “Happy Monday!”

11/03/2025

🌧️ Why This Time of Year Feels Hard for Kids (and What You Can Do)

Ever notice your child seems more emotional, tired, or overwhelmed in Fall? 🍂
You’re not imagining it — and there’s science behind it.

By this point in the school year, the “new routine” energy fades, academic demands increase, and shorter daylight hours start to affect mood, sleep, and focus.
Researchers have found that reduced sunlight can lower serotonin levels, while early sunsets disrupt melatonin, making kids (and adults) more irritable and fatigued.

Add in holiday excitement, costume chaos, and sugar spikes, and even the happiest child can feel dysregulated.

Here are a few ways to help:
✅ Keep bedtime and mealtime routines steady
✅ Prioritize outdoor time — even 15 minutes of sunlight helps mood
✅ Limit after-school screen time
✅ Offer consistent praise and reassurance
✅ Keep an eye on academic or emotional struggles — early support matters

You’re not alone — this is a big adjustment month for many families. If your child’s emotions or sleep seem off, let’s talk about it. 💬

🩺 Evidence sources:
¹ American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), HealthyChildren.org — “Why Your Child May Be Struggling in Fall”
² National Institutes of Health — “Seasonal Mood Changes in Youth”

11/02/2025

This is a great idea…

10/31/2025

Don’t be alarmed if it starts to look a little more like Christmas around here in the next couple of days!

Also, the colder temps mean you may catch some of our older hooved therapy partners in their colorful warm jammies out in the pastures. Not all of our horse therapy partners wear winter blankets or sheets, because some simply do not like to wear them and they stay warm by eating hay. So if you see several out sporting a colorful wardrobe, and others out looking a little naked, don’t worry! They’re all happy.

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween—whether you go out Trick or Treating; stay at home and watch spooky movies; or start decorating for Christmas (which we absolutely love to do here!).

We hope you find time this weekend to rest, recharge, and be present with people you care about and enjoy being with.

See you in November!

10/31/2025

Not everyone has to understand, nor will they always understand you. And it’s ok.

10/30/2025

Edited to add: if your kids don’t need this list, by all means, enjoy the night! Between us, we have 5 kids, ages 5-14. The 5-year-old needs us to go through a few steps on this list for it to be a successful night. The other four can run free and wild all night, and be just fine. All of our kids are a-okay without strict candy limits on Halloween night. But, we have one kid who needs more limits on road-trip snacks because he’s a serial roadtrip/hotel vomitter. You know your kid the best - this list is just here to provide support for families and kids who need who may need a little more structure! 🎃

———

Halloween can be magical — and a little chaotic. 🎃
Excited kids, itchy costumes, and endless candy can turn a fun night into a meltdown moment fast.

This checklist (from two child psychologists + moms) gives you a quick plan for keeping things fun and manageable.

✨ Set expectations early
✨ Give small choices
✨ Stay calm through the sugar crash

Save this for tomorrow — and remember, connection matters more than perfection. 💛

10/30/2025

Resources for Calhoun County residents