In this episode, I talk with my friend and fellow counselor Tyler Kilbane. Tyler is a counselor in the midwest who currently works with clients struggling with substance use. Tyler shares about his own struggle with depression and suicidal ideation and his journey into the Catholic faith. We talk about struggling with feeling unlovable, theContinue reading “How to Let Yourself be Loved”
Tag Archives: counseling
Confessions of a Recovering People Pleaser
In this episode, I talk with my sister Ashley Ricketson about her battle with anxiety. We talk about her experience with performance anxiety in high school, the pressure to “do your best,” and where anxiety comes from. We also discuss the difficulty in being assertive and struggles with people pleasing and how it affects relationships,Continue reading “Confessions of a Recovering People Pleaser”
It’s okay to disagree with your counselor
Something I say to every client that walks in my door is that counseling is a collaborative process, and I believe that you know yourself best. Counseling presents a unique dynamic in that clients are coming to a professional seeking perspective and guidance on a particular emotional or behavioral issue. In this dynamic, there isContinue reading “It’s okay to disagree with your counselor”
Delighting in the hard seasons of life
In this episode, I talk with my friend Sarah Sullivan about the joys and struggles of motherhood. We talk about caring for our mental health as mothers, finding the balance between self care and selfishness, toxic positivity, decision making in parenting, and giving permission for our feelings.
Everything is not alright
With the holidays approaching, I feel a very strong desire to hang the decorations, make everything feel festive, and create some semblance of normal in this very abnormal year. I have a feeling that I’m not alone in wanting to forget about all the hardship of 2020 by covering up the pain with Christmas lightsContinue reading “Everything is not alright”
Manhood & Mental Health
In this episode, I interview my husband, Joshua, about his take on mental health as a man. We discuss expectations put on men and the difficulties that come with caring for our emotional health. We also talk about transgender issues, parenthood, teaching our kids about their emotions, and vulnerability in friendship.
A Counselor’s Guide to Advent
Advent is a season of preparation and waiting for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. In what the world views as one of the busiest times of the year, Advent stands as a welcome contrast, inviting us to slow and pause. Advent is an invitation to let go of striving, to let go of theContinue reading “A Counselor’s Guide to Advent”
More than a diagnosis
In this episode, I talk with a fellow counselor and friend, Antonia Seman. We discuss the role of diagnosis in the counseling process and what it really means to receive a mental health diagnosis. We also give a counselor’s perspective on the counseling process and how we help others find healing. We shed some lightContinue reading “More than a diagnosis”
Grief is hard.
In this episode, I talk with my sister in law & friend, Madelyn Johnson, about the life and death of her daughter, Amelia. We talk about the real emotions around losing a child to stillbirth, the messy grieving and recovery process, and grief work in counseling. This episode is dedicated to my dear niece, AmeliaContinue reading “Grief is hard.”
Why sharing your feelings isn’t optional
One of the biggest issues we face in relationships with others is difficulty with direct communication. Did you know that God did not give us the capability to accurately know the thoughts and feelings of others? He very well could have given us this ability, but He decided that the one way for us toContinue reading “Why sharing your feelings isn’t optional”
Abide Counseling 