Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate Freedom and Healing

Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate Freedom and Healing

Juneteenth, a day of profound significance for African Americans, goes beyond celebrating freedom—it marks a crucial opportunity for conversations about mental health and healing. The enduring impact of historical slavery and systemic racism has left a deep imprint on the mental well-being of the community, with generational trauma contributing to challenges like anxiety and depression. Systemic racism inflicts persistent stressors, leading to increased rates of mental health issues. Prioritizing self-care becomes essential for resilience, empowering individuals to navigate the impact of discrimination. Community support emerges as a vital aspect of healing, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation. Steps for becoming the best version of oneself include prioritizing self-care, seeking support, practicing self-compassion, cultivating resilience, and staying informed. As we commemorate Juneteenth, Forward Counseling stands committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by the African American community, offering specialized mental health support to promote healing and liberation. Visit www.forwardcounseling.com to explore our services and join us in the journey toward mental health equity and societal upliftment.

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Pride and Mental Well-being: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Identity and Cultivating Inner Strength

Pride and Mental Well-being: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Identity and Cultivating Inner Strength

As Pride Month unfolds, it's imperative to recognize the intricate link between LGBTQIA+ identity and mental well-being. The community contends with pervasive stigma and discrimination, significantly impacting mental health. Embracing pride becomes a transformative act, fostering inner strength and acceptance. LGBTQIA+ youth, facing unique challenges, often grapple with higher rates of substance abuse and mental health issues. Inclusive environments and support systems play pivotal roles in mitigating these challenges. Forward Counseling, attuned to these concerns, offers specialized mental health services. Pride Month is a call to actively engage in events, connect with supportive communities, access mental health resources, and prioritize self-care. By doing so, individuals can navigate their mental health journey with resilience, embracing their authentic selves and fostering lasting well-being.

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Healing from a Dysfunctional Childhood

Healing from a Dysfunctional Childhood

Trauma can also be generational in nature, meaning that it is passed down from one family member to the next as part of a given family’s cultural schema. Simply being aware of maladaptive interpersonal patterns of communication within your family won’t undo generations of dysfunction. Knowledge is power, but healing requires hard work. Here are some tips for coping with the newly discovered dysfunction.

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Starting Therapy: Should I use Insurance or pay out of Pocket?

Starting Therapy: Should I use Insurance or pay out of Pocket?

For people who worry about confidentiality, have high deductibles, or don’t have a mental health diagnosis, choosing to pay out of pocket with a therapist has benefits. Understanding which is best is a frustrating barrier. Insurance doesn’t need to be the factor holding you back from getting the absolute best treatment for your situation. There are many highly skilled therapists and life coaches at Forward Counseling who are excited to partner with you in your journey to reaching your highest self possible.

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The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

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The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

Read More

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

The Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

One innovative form of therapy provided by Forward Counseling is known as sand tray therapy. By presenting a client with a small tray of sand and a wide variety of figurines, a therapist can sit back and observe what the client chooses to create. Though perhaps initially presumed as juvenile, there are actually many benefits to this type of therapy. 

Firstly, it provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult. Often clients find themselves not yet ready to discuss what might be going on, and in that case, sand trays provide a medium through which to communicate to the therapist what words aren’t ready to say yet.

Read More