Resources & Articles
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Understanding Depression: From a Normal Emotional Response to a Debilitating Mental Health Condition
This post is educational for the purpose of building self-awareness. It is not a tool or substitute for professional or medical advice and should not be used to diagnose clinical depression. When people talk about being “depressed” in a casual, everyday manner, it blurs the line between a normal emotional response of sadness to…
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Deconstruction Does Not Equal Losing Your Faith
Almost 10 years ago I was alone in my kitchen, anxious, and taking deep breaths in an attempt to stop physically shaking. I’d just wrapped up a text exchange with a respected and influential member of my former church community where I’d indicated I held a theological perspective that differed from hers, all via…
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Post-Graduation Slump: Why You Feel Lost After Graduation (And How To Reorient)
You turned in your last papers, donned your cap and gown, then crossed that stage to receive your diploma. You did it! You graduated. But after the graduation parties are over and the last of congratulatory cards from relatives arrive, something inside feels uneasy. Everyone told you that this was the beginning of the…
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You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle It: Why Asking for Help Is the Bravest Thing You Can Do
My kids have been on a space kick lately. Ever since the Artemis II launch captured their imaginations, we’ve been watching everything we can find about space travel. Recently we sat down together to watch Apollo 13, and there’s a scene near the end that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. If…
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Both/And: Moving From Black-And-White Thinking Toward Integration
Last week, my colleague Maggie wrote about the paralysis that can come from trying to hold all that is happening in our world. Her post got me thinking about something that often underlies that paralysis: the way our minds, when under stress, tend to sort the world into two neat piles. Good and bad.…
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Think Global, Serve Local: Finding Ways to Move From Overload to Action
When you experience information overload and emotional exhaustion from the constant onslaught of the global news, focusing on the things you can do in your local community serves as a way to stay grounded and connected.
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The Problem with “New Year, New You!”
Every January, the phrase “New Year, New You” floods social media, advertisements, and conversations. It embraces the idea of starting with a clean slate and beckons a chance to reinvent oneself. It sounds inspiring, and while I do think that there is some wisdom in new beginnings, I think it’s important to recognize that…
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Five Ways to Ground Yourself When You Feel Overwhelmed
These small practices can help bring you back into the present moment and help you feel your body and physical surroundings. In turn you feel calmer and gain access to the ability to respond more intentionally to whatever is going on in the moment. Then, later with your therapist or when the situational context…
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What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session
Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown, especially if it’s your first time. Whether you’re meeting with a therapist online or in person, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity, nervousness, and hope. At Ampersand Counseling Collective we know that even taking the first step to schedule an appointment can…
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Play, Paradox, and Psychotherapy: Reflections on the Transformative Potential of Therapy
Recently, I’ve been playing the solo board game Tin Helm — a small dungeon crawler that is packaged inside of a mint tin. The game consists of delving into a dungeon in search of three gems, battling monsters along the way. It relies on an interesting mechanic — do I choose to visit the location card…
