Lawler Counseling Services

01/30/2026

The Scenic Regional Library will have a graduate-level practicum student from St. Louis University's social work program in our area libraries from February through mid-May.

The practicum student will be assisting people with finding local resources (housing, food, childcare, healthcare, jobs, transportation), finding support (domestic violence, mental health, counseling, drug and alcohol treatment), applying for benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, unemployment, disability), and replacing important documents (ID, birth certificates). Her schedule at each branch in Franklin County and the Washington Public Library is below.

Washington Public Library
Thursday, February 5 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, February 19 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, March 5 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, March 19 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, April 9 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, April 23 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, May 7 – 9 AM to 2 PM

Sullivan Branch
Wednesday, February 4 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday, March 4 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Monday, March 23 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday, April 8 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Monday, April 27 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday, May 13 – 9 AM to 2 PM

St. Clair Branch
Thursday, February 12 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Thursday, March 12 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Monday, March 30 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, April 16 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Monday, May 11 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM

New Haven Branch
Monday, February 23 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, March 26 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Thursday, April 30 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM

Pacific Branch
Thursday, February 26 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Monday, March 16 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Thursday, April 2 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
Thursday, May 14 – 9 AM to 1:30 PM

Union Branch
Wednesday, February 25 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday, March 25 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Monday, April 20 – 9 AM to 2 PM
Wednesday, May 6 – 9 AM to 2 PM

01/30/2026

Upcoming virtual courses in February 2026 offered by the MU Extension.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) – Su***de Prevention Training

QPR is an evidence-based su***de prevention program that teaches participants how to recognize warning signs, offer support, and connect individuals to professional help.

• When: Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Date: February 11, 2026
• Where: Online via Zoom
• Cost: Free
• Registration: https://pears.io/events/mu/3728/

__________________________________________

Mental Health First Aid for Youth (Virtual)
Mental Health First Aid for Youth teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in youth and how to connect them with appropriate support.

• When: Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Date: February 25, 2026
• Where: Online via Zoom
• Cost: Free
• Registration: https://pears.io/events/mu/3729/

If you have questions about any of these programs or need assistance with registration, please feel free to reach out to Maria at calvertml@missouri.edu.

01/30/2026

Community event from HOPE for Franklin County Coalition!

01/07/2026

JANUARY MOST WANTED!

Please check your closets for the items pictured!

No items? No problem. ⬇️
Consider sending something from our Amazon list!
▶️ https://a.co/jiOmfdU

Drop offs accepted Tues and Thursday 10-2 and 2nd Saturdays (1/10) from 10-12.

@500 Clark Avenue in Union - around back C12

01/05/2026

HOPE for Franklin County Coalition is hosting an awesome event. Details ⬇️

HOPE for Franklin County's Youth Group will meet on Saturday, 1/24 from noon-2pm at our office in Krakow to paint kind and positive messages on smooth stones, and plan how we want to distribute these "Kindness Rocks" to spread hope and happiness. Details are on the flyer below!

Everything will be provided including rocks, painting supplies, and PIZZA 🍕 🙂
There's no fee to participate, but we'll need to know how many folks are coming, so please direct folks to send a text to 636-485-4104 to let me know they'd like to attend. Caring adults are welcome to join, but not required to stay (with signed permission slip). om

01/03/2026

Regulating our emotions is key to becoming the healthiest version of ourselves.

When we learn to manage our emotions and stress, we’re less likely to reach for junk food or develop harmful habits that lead to chronic illness.

Chronic stress disrupts our hormones, increases cravings for sugar and processed foods, and triggers emotional eating. Over time, this can cause weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation - leading to many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and even depression.

By learning how to regulate our emotions and manage stress, we create the space to make conscious, nourishing food choices that support our long-term health and prevent illness.

Emotional regulation is key to building a world where we make healthier choices, respect our bodies, and thrive in harmony with one another.

Powerful quote from .holistic.psychologist

12/08/2025

LAST UPDATE!!! Y'all 😭😭😭. I (Admin Nikki) shouldn't be surprised by this, but time and time again, YOU SHOW UP for our kids!! In just 7 hours, we had donors buy over 30 gifts off our list, donate $500 for the rest AND we were able to connect this agency to another with "leftover" gifts to cover the rest!!! WE DID IT, Y'ALL!!!! THANK YOU!!! ❤️ ❤️

UPDATE!!! About 1/3 of the items have been bought! The rest are showing now as not being able to be delivered until after the party. If you still wish to help, please venmo and we will shop local! (reminder: someone spoofed our venmo account, so use the one with the same profile picture showing on FB, only one "s" at the end of "families" and the last 4 of our number- 7905). THANK YOU!!!

⚠️⚠️URGENT REQUEST RECEIVED!!!⚠️⚠️

Hi DFF fam! Today we were contacted by another community group 😇 that is having a party for their families THIS SATURDAY‼️ They had a business promise to provide them over 60 gifts for their clients' children (who may otherwise not have anything to give their children), and the business has now backed out 🫨! CAN WE HELP?!?! Link below, or venmo 💸 and we will shop 🛒 for them!
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/RZHWEQX2NUC6?ref_=wl_share

12/03/2025

Your input is Important!

JFCAC Community Needs Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STLT9MP

12/01/2025

Foster Families Holiday Celebration
THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 3:30-6:00 PM!

11/30/2025

“December is a good time to reflect on the year past and dream of possibilities for the year ahead; a door closes and a new one opens.” ~Rip Miller

“December teaches us that endings are just beginnings in disguise.” ~Madeleine L’Engle

Awareness Themes
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Give the Gift of Sight Month
National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month
Universal Human Rights Month
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month
International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month
World Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome Awareness Month

Awareness Days and Weeks
Dec. 1 – World AIDS Day
Dec. 1 – Rosa Parks Day
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7 – National Handwashing Awareness Week
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7 – Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week
Dec. 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Dec. 2 – Giving Tuesday
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8 – National Grief Awareness Week
Dec. 3 – Internation Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 4 – Wildlife Conservation Day
Dec. 5 – International Volunteer Day
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12 – National Influenza Vaccination Week
Dec. 7 – Armed Forces Flag Day
Dec. 7 – International Civil Aviation Day
Dec. 8 – Bodhi Day
Dec. 9 – International Anticorruption Day
Dec. 9 – International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
Dec. 10 – Human Rights Day
Dec. 10 – International Animal Rights Day
Dec. 10 – Nobel Prize Day
Dec. 12 – International Day of Neutrality
Dec. 13 – National Guard Birthday
Dec. 14 – Dec. 22 – Hanukkah
Dec. 17 – Dec. 23 - Saturnalia
Dec. 18 – International Migrants Day
Dec. 21 – Winter Solstice
Dec. 21 – Shake and Freeze Day
Dec. 23 – National Farmers Day
Dec. 25 – Christmas
Dec. 26 – Boxing Day
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 – Kwanza
Dec. 27 – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve

11/17/2025

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the formation of Lawler Counseling Services. I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve my clients and community. I am looking forward to many more years of providing mental and behavioral health therapy.

11/03/2025

"Native American Heritage Month, taking place each year in November, is a time to uplift the stories and experiences of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Island communities. It’s also an important reminder that mental health care doesn't look the same for everyone. Native American communities need and deserve culturally relevant su***de prevention resources." ~American Foundation for Su***de Prevention

Click the link to access resources for Indigenous Peoples:

November is Native American Heritage Month. In recognition of this important month, we encourage you to use and share the following list of national mental health and su***de prevention resources focused on supporting Indigenous Peoples.