Bridges to Understanding Family Therapy Services

Just a little laugh in these dark times. #bridgestounderstanding

A fun activity for you and the kiddos while being home and staying safe from it all. #bridgestounderstanding #childsplay #stayhome

I understand how difficult it is during a depressive episode to do any of these things. Sometimes it helps just to try, even if you are unable to accomplish what you set out to do. Try cleaning out a drawer. Washing your face. Changing your clothes. Calling a friend. Finding a therapist to talk to. #bridgestounderstanding

Mama, I can’t see past you right now, I’m so small and everything’s a little blurry. All I see is you.... When you feel alone, like the walls are closing in, remember I’m here too. I know your world has changed and the days feel a little lonely. But they aren’t lonely for me. You are my everything. When you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re making it look easy to me. Even though we’re still getting to know each other, you know me better than anyone. I trust you. When you think some nights you’ll never sleep again, you will. We both will. But I’m scared right now. I promise I’m not manipulating you. I just need your smell and comfort. Do you feel that tug in your heart when we’re apart? I do too. I miss you. When you feel as if you’ve achieved nothing, please know, my cup has never been so full. The days that get away on you will be some of my best memories of us playing together on the ground. I love you. When you feel like you don’t know who you are anymore, when you turn away from the mirror. That face will be the one I look to when I achieve something, the one I search for in a crowd. The reason for my first smile. You’re perfect to me. When you feel like the weight of it all is heavy in your heart, please know I’ve never felt lighter. Can I lay here with you a little longer? I won’t always need you like this. But I need you right now. When you feel as if you have nothing left to give, when I see your hands outstretched at me, pleading. When we’re both crying. I wish I could talk, but I can’t. If I could I would tell you, There’s a reason I chose you. I can’t see past you right now mama, because you are my world. It will get bigger, soon enough. But for now, All I see is you. Words: ‘All I See Is You’ poetry book, available now: www.jessicaurlichs.com/shop as well as Etsy print https://www.instagram.com/jessurlichs_writer/ Artwork: Art by Chloe Trayhurn

I resolve to fully and presently LISTEN to anyone who desires to tell me their story. #2021goals #happynewyear #bridgestounderstanding

I started doing Christmas coupons for my son when he was about 5 but we are nearing the end of these since, you know...teenagers. Over the years friends and fam...ily have asked me to do them for their younger kids. So this year I am just going to keep releasing some from now til Christmas. Here are 3 to start! Look for more as the weeks pass and use 'em how you like! Download and print for great stocking stuffers. Be sure and read the fine print and make sure you cash in on that hug. :) See more

"Dear Nate, I saw your posts on Facebook with great Christmas advertisements and I wanted to share this with you - maybe you will like it :-)" I watched it. I it. Hope you will too!

**12/22/2020 update** Many wrote to share the author with me- THANK YOU! Kate Scott wrote this beautiful piece. Read her original post on Quora: https://www.q...uora.com/Has-a-therapist-ever-t//Kate-Scott-6 Kate, you're a gifted writer! Let me know if you prefer I remove my post. (Sorry for delay - all your messages loaded into my 'other' folder in Messenger. Just now found them!) RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE. "When I was at one of my lowest (mental) points in life, I couldn’t get out of bed some days. I had no energy or motivation and was barely getting by. I had therapy once per week, and on this particular week I didn’t have much to ‘bring’ to the session. He asked how my week was and I really had nothing to say. What are you struggling with? he asked. I gestured around me and said I dunno man. Life. Not satisfied with my answer, he said No, what exactly are you worried about right now? What feels overwhelming? When you go home after this session, what issue will be staring at you? I knew the answer, but it was so ridiculous that I didn’t want to say it. I wanted to have something more substantial. Something more profound. But I didn’t. So I told him, "Honestly? The dishes. It's stupid, I know, but the more I look at them the more I CAN’T do them because I’ll have to scrub them before I put them in the dishwasher, because the dishwasher sucks, and I just can’t stand and scrub the dishes. I felt like an idiot even saying it. What kind of grown-ass woman is undone by a stack of dishes? There are people out there with *actual* problems, and I’m whining to my therapist about dishes? But, my therapist nodded in understanding and then said: RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE. I began to tell him that you’re not supposed to, but he stopped me. Why the hell aren’t you supposed to? If you don’t want to scrub the dishes and your dishwasher sucks, run it twice. Run it three times, who cares?! Rules do not exist, so stop giving yourself rules. It blew my mind in a way that I don’t think I can properly express. That day, I went home and tossed my smelly dishes haphazardly into the dishwasher and ran it three times. I felt like I had conquered a dragon. The next day, I took a shower lying down. A few days later, I folded my laundry and put it wherever the fuck they fit. There were no longer arbitrary rules I had to follow, and it gave me the freedom to make accomplishments again. Now that I’m in a healthier place, I rinse off my dishes and put them in the dishwasher properly. I shower standing up. I sort my laundry. But, at a time when living was a struggle instead of a blessing, I learned an incredibly important lesson: THERE ARE NO RULES. RUN THE DISHWASHER TWICE!!!" Author: Kate Scott - original post link here: https://www.quora.com/Has-a-therapist-ever-t//Kate-Scott-6 #pandemic2020 #depressionawareness

Let’s not lose sight of the struggles this year. Any little bit may drastically help another person. We cannot comprehend another person’s suffering, so to give when able is a great gift. I was reminded of this today with a longtime family friend, who broke down and expressed their family’s struggles. I am reminded that others don’t want to be burdens, and so hardships oftentimes go unnoticed. I will choose to give freely, as I am able, this holiday season. We all deserve a proper holiday. #homemadetreatshereicome #gettinthatkitchenaidmixerout #handstitchedstocking #homemadejewelry #howlongwouldittaketolearnhowtomakehomemadesoap #letsdothis #bridgestounderstanding

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough, and we'...ll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our partner gets his or her act together when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice holiday, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. A quote comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until winter, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink.... there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching. Robert Westerburg