Reef Wellness Counseling

11/10/2025

Seeing Alabama Shakes perform this song in Dallas a few weeks ago was incredibly powerful, and seeing this simple clip brings it all back to me.

The way Brittany sings and holds onto “hold... on” has multiple layers. It sounds like she is pushing through life WITH us, hearing both her pain and her perseverance. The rhythm section continues during her hold, supporting and surrounding her voice, musically, emotionally, and metaphorically. There is a component of transforming internal suffering into connection and hope and resilience with the crowd she is singing to. And, being one of those in the crowd: seeing, hearing, and feeling the crowd’s energy… Man, thank you for bringing us all together.

It’s quite symbolic to hear her hold onto that note and then feel the music resolve. It is freeing. It represents we can hold on, and pointing out that we might be "holding on" for quite some time. She’s not just singing about the power of holding on; she is fulfilling it, she is doing it, right now, WITH us. We can do this together, understanding that “this” is very different from person to person.

How often do we connect with someone who has been through a similar experience of pain? How often do we connect with someone who believes the pain we are going through, and can show us their belief in us by validating, communicating via feedback, with intelligent and thoughtful questions?

Last month was assortment of awareness months: World Mental Health Month, Depression Screening, ADHD Awareness, Bully Prevention, Dom.Violence Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness, National Substance Abuse Prevention, and I am sure I overlooked some. In my day-to-day office admin, I hear from people who reach out looking for a counselor in moments of pain or uncertainty and also hear our counselors talk together, not about any one person, but about what they’re noticing across the board. There’s a shared ache showing up everywhere right now: a collective exhaustion, grief, and loneliness that so many are carrying in their own way. From the list above to the list of constant changes in our lives, WE hear, believe, and understand the strength it takes to hold on. We feel the pressure of continuing to hold on as well - just like how Brittany performs this one word in this one song.

And what is it that we are "Holding on"to? As a community, we hear the truth in people's personal anchors: their values, their progress, their hope. Hope is a practice; not a feeling. We hear and participate in healthy connections and shared humanity. Music, art, and stories often reach us in our feels faster than words do, then we often struggle with communicating that feeling using common language.

We are worthy through our weary. Keep holding on. 🩵

- Rachel

10/31/2025

TONIGHT 👻

Get ready to get your dance on for Halloween night, a spooky-fun rave will be bumping the night away in downtown Shreveport.

10/31/2025

Victoria has open telehealth availability for individuals in all of Louisiana. She is able to help clients that are battling anxiety, addiction, codependency and boundaries.

Victoria accepts most commercial insurance plans. If counseling has been something you’ve considered, this may be the perfect moment.

“My therapeutic style has a person-centered and cognitive behavioral approach to problem-solving and building coping skills. I also use motivational interviewing, reality therapy, and rational emotive behavioral therapy when appropriate.”

Victoria Porter, LPC
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View her profile here: https://therapyfinder.com/therapist/victoria-porter-lpc-shreveport-la

10/10/2025

Breaking the stigma around mental health takes courage. Furthermore, it can be very hard to start counseling considering your personal, economic and/or financial environment.

Not everyone will understand or support your decisions to seek counseling - and that's okay. It's not for them - It's for you.

09/16/2025

Love this post from Victoria Porter, LPC 💙

It captures the vulnerability and creativity that come with learning. As therapists, it’s essential to keep evolving, and it’s amazing to see this commitment shared so openly.

https://therapyfinder.com/therapist/victoria-porter-lpc-shreveport-la

09/10/2025

It’s important to reflect on what real empathy is and it’s power.

Empathy isn’t just saying “I understand” or telling someone what would make their situation different.

True empathy is the intentional act of stepping into someone else’s experience, acknowledging their pain, and validating their feelings without judgment or expectation. It’s listening deeply, being present, and showing care through both words and actions.

For example, imagine Dory swimming into an episode of “Bluey.” She would be in a completely new environment, experiencing the Heeler family and all of their connections first-hand. Rules, relationships, tones, even how to play “Pizza Girls” would have to be explained in detail by Bluey & Bingo.
💙 Empathy would be listening to Bingo describe her world and believing the joy she experiences in the way she can best describe (even on those days she hasn't found her voice yet).

Now, instead of Dory - imagine you
Instead of Bingo - imagine a friend, coworker, partner, friend, or stranger
Instead of joy - maybe they are experiencing pain

Many people believe empathy is about fixing problems or just giving advice. AND hey, we understand why people think this. We get there might be positive intentionality within their advice.
It’s just that the advice will only be accepted if the person in pain feels understood first. Were they heard and believed? Was there a connection before correction?

It’s about offering belief in them when they feel invisible, reminding them their struggles are real and worthy of your attention. When empathy is absent, people struggling with thoughts of su***de often feel unseen, unheard, and isolated. When we intentionally practice REAL empathy, we create a lifeline. We have the opportunity to show them they are not alone, their feelings matter, and that someone believes in them.

Let today be a reminder: let’s not care just in theory
Let's put empathy in action.

08/23/2025

“Many of us get preoccupied with taking care of others and forget to take care of ourselves.”

🎙️Sharing for those in the back.

Many of us get preoccupied with taking care of others and forget to take care of ourselves. 💜 So, for Internet Self-Care Day, here are some to enhance your online and help you develop a plan. 📝

🧘 Learn to anchor yourself in the present moment with different types of to balance your emotions, stress, and in our upcoming in-person Meditation – A Journey Inward. Sign up today: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=1829

08/21/2025

YiChing has open availability for individuals and family counseling, from teenagers to adults, telehealth and in-person visits. If counseling has been something you’ve considered, this may be the perfect moment.

“No matter if you are seeking a safe space to navigate life transitions, manage stress, or address anxiety and depression, I’ll guide you in developing resilience, improving communication skills, and gaining insights into healthy thought patterns.”

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View her profile here: https://therapyfinder.com/therapist/yiching-trenkamp-plpcms-national-certified-counselor-shreveport-la

06/24/2025

As we’re creating the to-do list for this Tuesday, coffee in hand, Victoria Porter, LPC shares a simple, honest, and powerful reminder 🤍

So many people struggle with feeling "not good enough." There is so much pressure to perform at unrealistic levels in so many different areas of our lives. No one can be perfect. Mistakes are learning opportunities. Meet yourself where you are.