Jessica Wilkerson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #104464

Whenever I go to a training (today's is a special type of EMDR to use immediately after a trauma happens) they always show great videos! How many people think this is what therapists really talk like to each other while at work? https://youtu.be/ycu0LSggqvU

It's pretty surreal to see Upgraded Living Magazine's article about my growing business!

I'm in a full day training today on an EMDR technique called Flash Technique. It reduces the fear of processing a trauma. It can be scary to think about bringing up sad or disturbing memories in therapy. This helps reduce that fear and the disturbance in general to make it easier to cope during your sessions. https://www.childtrauma.com/blog/flash

We love our new floor mat!

Having a purpose to be alive is a meaningful aspect of most everyone's life. But during an extended pandemic it's especially important for teens to realize that they matter. There are various ways they already contribute positively, but what could be a few ways the teen in your life could impact others?

I've listened to a few people talk about feeling so lonely right now, and then also believing that these feelings are evidence that they are "bad Christians" or that they aren't drawing close to the Lord because if they were "good Christians" then they wouldn't feel so lonely, God would be enough for them. What a sad way to feel! To feel alone, and feel guilty for the experience. What a downward spiral to be in. I wrote a short blog on the topic. Click below! https://www.inspiredlifechico.com/blog/walkingalone

This girl. Listen to her. :) https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJuyW2Aq/

I love this video because it externalizes depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. A person is not their mental health diagnosis, but they sure can be affected by it big-time. It's important to remind ourselves that we don't have to listen to everything we tell ourselves, but to scrutinize it now and then to check if it's real or a symptom of something else happening behind the scenes. https://www.facebook.com/JugglingTheJen//919284641912703/

Who else feels this way????!? I miss getting there too early so I can get the seat closest to the bathroom and then chit chat with people as they trickle in. What do you miss?

Who else feels this way????!? I miss getting there too early so I can get the seat closest to the bathroom and then chit chat with people as they trickle in. What do you miss?

I remember being a teen girl and in my early twenties, and trying to gracefully decline creeper flirtation without hurting their feelings. It wasn't my responsibility to worry about their feelings. They were creepy, period. This would have been a good song to have in the recesses of my mind to provide permission to have a strong NO. Let's start singing it with all our teens of both genders.

This is a great reframe for seeking a therapist! We are here for you, to help you, don't worry about any imperfections we might see. We work for YOU! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJy5EY1h/

This is a great parenting article! I think what I also love about it is that so many of us adults didn't learn this growing up, and it has affected friendships, romantic relationships, careers, etc. It's better to learn it late than never at all. What, if anything, in this article speaks to you about how you could either parent differently, apologize differently, or feel at peace when you have red flags about superficial apologies?

This girl posts some good stuff! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJD9MKwf/

It's about to get personal here... I'm feeling at capacity today. Some days it's hard to be the person everyone talks to. No amount of training prepares a human to balance a global health pandemic, a second round of wildfires, a toddler, zooming transitional Kindergarten, and running a new business for the first time. I have an amazing husband and a gang of friends who are also therapists and helpers who I can download with, so my resource bucket is pretty full. I want to sha...re some encouragement and understanding for all of you out there who are also feeling depleted, emotional, and at capacity. You're not weak. You're not deficient. If a trained professional is struggling today, then please know that your humanity is just showing through. No one is superhuman. Reach out to people around you. Tell them how you're feeling even if they can't fix it ("what's talking about it going to solve?") and even if you know they're stressed too ("Why burden them with my stuff, they're struggling too"). It's really healing to hear, "Me, too!" There's a comfort that comes from being heard, seen and known (why do you think social media is so alluring?). I can listen and send loving and supportive emojis today, even if I don't have it in me to call. https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-deplete

This is a great reminder that you're in the director's seat! You can't always control what happens on the set, but you can add and cut. Learn more about how to empower yourself as the director of your life at boundaries.me Photo credit Henry Cloud

Butterflies in your stomach or full-on nausea? Why do we have physical symptoms if anxiety is "all in our head?"

Always straddling the tension and trying not to tap out. Forever convincing ourselves that we can hold so many contradictory pieces and feelings. Not only are t...ension and contradictory pieces OK and normal they're the magic sauce. Carl Jung called the paradox one of our most valued spiritual possessions and a great witness to the truth. He wrote, Only the paradox comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life. Sometimes beautiful. Sometimes terrible. Always deeply human.

I love her post! It's true, let's be colorful and flawed. Let's take risks. Let's fall and let's fly!

Now, that's a good word right there! Photo credit Henry Cloud

https://www.today.com//richard-engel-kids-special-needs-ar

https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=27408