Why Knot Counseling

08/01/2022

This article is from 2017 and underscores the flood of information and interesting possibilities continuing to come out of this awareness of the gut-brain connection. As human beings, we are an intricate interwoven system that is best managed as a whole rather than individual parts.

The brain in your head and the one in your gut are always exchanging info. But how do they do it? Neuroscientist Diego Bohórquez is trying to find out the answers.

05/25/2022

Whenever a school shooting or any mass shooting happens, many people's first response is to look to the mode of attack, the gun. In the realm of behavior, the gun is actually the "how" and the attack itself is the "what". While addressing both the "what" and the "how" can possibly be effective in the short term, until the "why" is addressed, real change will not occur. We must go upstream and start asking ourselves why did this happen and how can we prevent the "why" from developing in the first place. If all behavior is a learned response to getting our needs met, what needs are not getting met that lead to violent behavior being the only option? How do we address those needs before the learned response is inappropriate and aggressive? Taking away the "how" is only going to force them to find a new one, it is not going to resolve the "why". It is not going to change the response that has already been learned; that was learned years before. We must work to do better. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and various other processes that incorporate the whole person in education have been shown to have significant impacts on reducing emotional and behavioral problems experienced by children, thereby impacting the "why" of violent and aggressive behavior. SEL programs in schools work.

05/25/2022

05/05/2022

Today, there is news of the su***de of another college student. That makes 4 in the last month as well as the su***des of Naomi Judd and Kailia Posey being talked about in the media. The subject of su***de has been in the news almost everyday for at least the past two weeks.

This is a concern, because su***de contagion is a real thing. The Department of Health and Human Services says that exposure to su***de whether through direct contact or through the media, can increase suicidal behavior in those who are already at risk of su***de. This is especially true for adolescents and young adults.

Please take the time to check in with the adolescent and young adult people in your lives, even if you think they are doing well. Do what you can to send a message to them that they matter. The whirlwind of suicidal thoughts can suck a person down into a black hole while a ding on the phone can interrupt the thought process just enough to shine a light and show them the way back out.

Care for and hold space for each other. Learn about the signs of and how to prevent su***de at the following places:
National Institute of Mental Health
Mentalhealth.gov
SAMHSA
National Su***de Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

05/02/2022

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! What is Mental Health you ask. If physical health is how well your body functions, then mental health is the same thing, but for your mentalness. Improving your mental health means working your brain in ways that serve you rather than work against you. Some things that can work against you are negative self-talk, ruminating, overthinking, assuming negative intention, excessive judgment & criticism, & even your own relationship with your emotions.

These are the kinds of things that can lead to anxiety and depression and that counseling can help with. And you know what...almost all of us do them. So there’s no shame in it, it’s just mental health! So give it a try!

04/01/2022

Why Knot Counseling stands up for children on Texas “Go Blue” Day! April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a very important purpose of raising awareness of the signs of child abuse and how to prevent it. You can check with your local Children’s Advocacy Center or Child Welfare Board to find out more about joining the fight against child abuse.

What is a “Why” Knot? The “Why” Knot A why knot is an internal mental knot that is the reason behind many mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. The symptoms of mental health diagnoses are the what, and the reasons those symptoms exist is the why. The why can be related to many ...

03/17/2022

The falling apart is the “what” that is happening. The “why” is the reason that the falling apart happens. The “why” is the thing that makes growth possible. There is strength and beauty in that oh so painful process. And that is why going through it with guidance can help. Seeds need help all the time. It’s okay if you do too.

03/11/2022

I fell into the cliché trap the other day. Sometimes clichés are so cliché. Next time I will use this one instead!

03/02/2022

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has ignited his people and the World with his stance against Russia. How is he doing this? He is motivated by and communicating his WHY. People who follow their WHY are all but indestructible. They are driven by something born of passion, not just desire. The WHY is the constant that connects our life’s purpose to the choices that we make. The WHY is often what connects us to each other. The WHY is the answer to so many things. As Simon Sinek says “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.” President Zelensky’s WHY is on full display and is inspiring not only a nation, but many across the World.

03/02/2022

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss!!

03/02/2022

Tips to help with defining age specific information for hard conversations.

For 2-year-olds to teenagers.