My Simple, Happy, Beautiful Life

I had an experience the other day with one of my students left me emotionally exhausted but it taught me so much about healing and the start of that process.  Healing is something that happens throughout the therapeutic relationship as you develop rapport. Healing occurs when the client is comfortable sharing information they have withheld because of whatever barrier held them back before. Healing is not something that happens overnight. Healing involves people, it is not a individualistic thing for the most part.  I was working with one of my students who was tough. He had a hard egg shell you could say and breaking his egg shell to where he could smile at you was difficult. A lot of times, people will look at these people and say that they are hopeless because they will never open up and continue to have behavior problems. The first couple of sessions was just getting the basic of information shared and then having to calm him down because he thought therapy was stupid.  I

 Let me tell you, I love mindfulness. It is one of my favorite interventions and I should use it more often. Ever since I learned about it in grad school, I use it in my life. I know that sounds like a commercial...but I really mean that mindfulness has improved my life as a therapist. When people think of mindfulness, they think of zen or deep breathing. A cliche therapist saying is "take a deep breathe?" right? Well mindfulness is more than simply deep breathing. Some of my clients tell me that "deep breathing doesn't work me" so mindfulness won't work. Well, mindfulness includes so much more. Mindfulness is being present in the moment with a nonjudgmental attitude of what is occurring in the present. A huge focus of mindfulness to bringing awareness and paying attention to what is occuring right now with acceptance. Why is this important? People live in the past or future. Examples of this include people who can't move on from something happened

I have been obsessed with England for a while and now that I went there, I don't know where I stand. England was such an amazing place with so much to do and see. So much history, architecture, culture and beauty. I absolutely loved my England trip and can't put how amazing it was in words. So, I'll show you some of my favorite parts of the trip. The summary of my trip was this, 3 days in London, 5 days in Ireland, Liverpool, Bath, Oxford, Brighton and then London.  Our first stop was at The Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye and Parliament. It was very crowded, so we didn't stay very long but the Big Ben was very cool to see in person.  One of my favorite places in London was the Tower Bridge. We walked across it and you can see the gold and blue on the bridge with so much detail.  The Changing of the Guards was so interesting to watch. Get there early and be prepared for some battle of the bands. The ceremony was 45 minutes long and the different band

Firstly, this is not a sympathy post. I am just putting my thoughts on this blog. This blog may be harder for me to write since it is more personal emotions I don't verbally say often. Lately, I have had more friends get into serious relationships or get engaged. I am very happy for them since I love them and I want the best for them. I watched them in the beginning stages of their relationships, watched them fall in love and then get engaged. They tell me about their proposal stories and have this glow about them as they talk about future wedding plans. As they talk about their wedding plans, they ask me about what I want. It's fun to fake plan your wedding but then the thought comes "Will it ever happen to me?". I know there are many girls in my position and I am not along in asking this question. This question brings you to a vulnerable place that feels uncomfortable.  It is so easy to compare yourself to others and think it is due to something you are lack

I completed my first year of school...this time I got paid for it! Like I have said, I am working for a school district and this was my first year of being the "real deal". As I was reflecting on my last year as being a mental health therapist, I was thinking of memories from this year. I have gained many more stories to my collection of all varieties. Some stories are too sad to share on this blog and some are hilarious. I was thinking about other peoples reactions to me when I tell them what I do and this were some of the most common: "What exactly do you do?" "Do you have a magic wand" "Can I get some free therapy" No response....(just looks at me) "Perfect, this kid is not doing work, can you talk to him" "When are you going to fix (insert name)'s problems" "My (insert family member/friend) is diagnosed with a disorder and takes some pill" The number one thing I have learned after my first year is

As I have mentioned, I have been carried away in planning my vacation this summer to England and Ireland. This week, It really hit me that I am going as I am booking train tickets and hotels. I was talking with my friends that I'm going with and we decided on doing some day trips to Brighton and Bath. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will recognize these towns as being mentioned in Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. Brighton is where the Bennett sisters meet the soldiers and go shopping and Bath is where Anne Elliot's family moves in Persuasion. If you have not seen these movies, go see them now and you're welcome.  I am currently watching Persuasion (the 1995 version, which is the best) and they are in Bath. As I am watching the movie, I am imaging myself walking around in the galleries and shops. Some questions for all of you that you probably have been dying ask (I'm sure...haha). When did my love for Jane Austen start?  Blame my admiration for Jane Austen