BY: Natalie Jensen, MSW As we are walking through the beginning of 2020, we find ourselves in the unknown. Literally, we are living in the ambiguous world of global pandemic meets human experience. We know first hand that there are numerous options for thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions (or inaction). Many of us are finding it incredibly… Read more »
Access to video sessions continues to offer therapeutic connection through the child-therapist interaction as well as prioritize the unique needs of each child. Counselors working with children remotely are upholding the integrity of the therapeutic relationship and incorporating endless techniques that are supportive to each child’s growth. Learn what to expect from a virtual play therapy session and how best to prepare your child.
By: MJ Harford, MA Counselor in Residence Acceptance is a key skill in managing and reducing anxiety. Acceptance doesn’t have to look deep or complicated, it can be as simple as identifying what is and what isn’t within our control. The COVID19 virus has changed all of our lives; things may be more difficult and more… Read more »
To the Sunstone Community: In a time of much fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, our Sunstone Counseling team remains committed to serving and supporting our community, and we would like to provide an update on our response to COVID-19. The health — both mental and physical — and the safety of our clients are our highest… Read more »
If you are just beginning the separation and/or divorce process, you might be feeling overwhelmed, confused, emotional, angry, lonely, or some combination of these emotions and many more. It may feel like every day is a struggle, trying to make sense of what has happened and what your next steps will be. Perhaps you have been divorced for a while already, but you still struggle with unresolved and/or recurring emotions. Sunstone’s Divorce/Separation Support Group for Women can help you during this time.
By: Natalie Jensen, MSW, Supervisee in Social Work The upcoming group, Grief, Loss & Life, will feature weekly sessions, having attendees gather for 90-minutes in the early evening. Sessions are on Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm, beginning March 5th, and run through April 30th (off April 9th). This spring cycle will be limited to a… Read more »
After about 6 years of dedicated clinical work, education, development, self-exploration, teamwork, and determination, one can become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia. Counselors have the honor to be a part of some of the most intimate details of a client’s life. It is this arduous training that allows an LPC to gracefully care for these moments in a way that will be healing.
By: Maya Georgieva, Ed.D., LPC Many people who have never experienced counseling before wonder what the first session may look like. You may be wondering what to expect. Even if you’ve been to counseling before, you may not be sure what your new counselor is going to ask you during the first counseling session and… Read more »
Often, children and their caregivers do not realize anxiety can have physical effects. Children can experience various physical symptoms related to anxiety such as stomach aches, headaches, indigestion, muscle tension, nausea, fatigue, sleep disruption, and restlessness. Physical symptoms like these should always first be medically explored to rule out other underlying causes. That being said, these types of symptoms are often produced by anxiety.
We can choose to suppress grief’s attention-seeking signals; however, complete disregard for grief’s journey might create a more difficult path. Taking a pause and honoring some of our deeper grief emotions can be challenging. Yet, if these emotions are left in a box, ignored, or continually deferred, they may show up for us in far more egregious ways.
For many of us, the holiday season seems to center around food. People make food together, gather to eat food, and talk about food. Food, food, food. For those diagnosed with an eating disorder, the holidays are the ultimate test of recovery skills. While it may seem intimidating, it is possible to make it through the holiday season recovery focused! Here are some steps to help get your holiday season started off right.
BY: MJ Harford, MA, NCC Counseling is all about exploring. Together, clients and counselors join to investigate what might be getting in the way of a healthier, more meaningful, and joyful life, develop a plan, and gather resources to heal. This process of investigating often starts over and over throughout the counseling process. It can… Read more »
