You can’t let go of something you don’t own. This is quickly becoming my new mantra in regard to dealing with difficult emotions. We think we don't know what to do with difficult emotions, but in my personal and professional life, I’ve found that the best approach to dealing with difficult emotions is actually fairly logical.

I really love that I cuss. Like, it might be in my top-ten-favorite-things-about-myself list. It is not, however, on my husband’s top-ten-things-I-love-about-my-wife list and realizing this caused me to get curious about why I love profanity so much.

Like most things in life, self-care is totally relative. It’s the intention behind, motivation for, and the result of an activity that determines whether or not something is self-care. The best self-care activities are things that either move us toward where we want to be or, when we’re happy with where are, help us stay there.

Today, I’m going to write about what I offer in therapy to my clients – which might be different from what you’ve experienced before or from what other clinicians offer. IFS isn't the only kind of therapy out there – this is just the space I live in as a therapist. And I love what I do because I see it bring such relief to my clients every single day.

Finding relief when you’ve been hijacked by your emotions is all about nurturing a healthier relationship with your thoughts and feelings.

Whenever tragedy strikes or tough times fall, we say things like “We’re all in this together” or “We’re all in the same boat.” But if we’re honest, we are NOT all in the same boat – and we all know it. And, it's your well-being that matters, not the scale of your problems.

Historically, February is always the hardest month of the year for me. Despite this being a yearly pattern, I always find myself mystified each February as to why I am feeling so awful.

St. Louis boasts a variety of parks, each offering unique ways to engage with nature and practice mindfulness. These spaces provide a haven, not just for physical relaxation, but also for emotional and mental rejuvenation. Engaging with the serene surroundings of these parks becomes a conduit for healing, especially for those navigating the impacts of past trauma.

As an IFS Counselor in St. Louis, MO, I've had the privilege of working with some truly inspiring professional women. They are the go-getters, the achievers, the ones who make balancing a high-powered career, family, and social life look effortless. But beneath this veneer of perfection, there’s often a deeper story – one of self-neglect self-forgetfulness, and detrimental self-sacrifice. Sure, they might fit in the occasional treat like actually baking for their kid’s school bake sale or a quick catch-up at a happy hour - maybe they even sneak in a luxurious facial at The Only Facial in St. Charles once a year. However, what I've noticed is that real, deep-rooted, self-attuned self-care – the kind that nurtures the soul and aligns with their innermost needs – tends to be overlooked.