Dr. Loree A. Johnson, LMFT

Today we honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I hope we can all take time to reflect on the complexity and true meaning of Dr. King’s message, which extends far beyond his stance on peaceful protest, freedom, justice, and love for all. As we reflect on his prolific teachings and messages, this quote stands out to me -... True peace is not merely the absence of tension, but the presence of justice ~Stride Toward Freedom, 1968 Happy MLK Day!

I always feel inspired after sharing tips on how I work with clients who in the midst of their infertility/loss struggles. Please check out my latest interview with @josephinealtturi at @respondingtolife podcast when you get a chance. In this episode, we will discuss: ... Effects of infertility stress and trauma How to heal and thrive despite the challenges with one of my favorite strategies: container exercise How to cope with pregnancy loss How to care for your relationship while trying to conceive To listen, click on the link in my bio.

Sometimes time is the biggest gift you can give yourself when dealing with infertility stress and grief. You may be sick of the heaviness that goes along with the process and want to move forward. You may be feeling the pressure of your age, the fact that you don't feel like you have a lot of time before your clock runs out.... Or, you desperately want to get to the "other side," away from the pit of despair. You've seen others you supported along the way who have moved on to their next chapters as parents or otherwise, and you want off the roller coaster ride. Sometimes, there's a sense of urgency to push forward despite what your body is telling you. It's normal to feel like you don't have time, but you really do in hindsight. I get it. Been there. Done that. Once you realize how the urgency actually works against you, you learn to surrender to the discomfort and truly work through it. It's not easy, but it's possible and so rewarding. Am I making sense? I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

2020 wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. But clinicians adapted, even figuring out how to transition our services to an online format, which was no easy feat. I am thinking of my colleagues as we navigate yet another political/national crisis to start off the new year.... May you find peace and support during this challenging time. Take whatever time you need for yourselves. It's okay not to be okay right now. Much love

Boundaries are physical, emotional, and physical limits that serve to protect us. They operate as an internal safety net that is an important part of self-care. You may not realize you need them until you're feeling drained, physically and emotionally.... When you're dealing with infertility, you may be bombarded with questions from well-meaning loved ones about your status. Initially, you may not balk at providing updates on-demand until you notice a little more irritation/frustration each time you get asked a question. It's okay to draw a boundary around what, when, how, and with whom you share information. Since self-care is vital when dealing with infertility stress or trauma, holding boundaries may need to be a part of your plan. Your emotional well-being is what's most important. Please tag or share this post with someone who needs to hear this message.