Mental Health

This morning, I read the news about Stephen "Twitch" Boss who committed suicide at 40. Boss was the former DJ and co-host of the Ellen Show, but my husband and I had known him from his beginnings and his meteoric rise after his stint on So You Think You Can Dance, which we had watched religiously since its inception. Twitch always seemed like he was the epitome of happiness, and while I'm absolutely shocked at his death, I can tell you with absolute certainty that you can look fine on the outside and be dying on the inside. I think that's why I'm so saddened by his death. Five years ago, I changed jobs... Unexpectedly. Suddenly. The school district where I taught indicated...

Nah, I’m not doing that and I’m okay with that. Sometimes I wonder if other people realize I’m human. It’s like I became a parent and (almost) everyone decided that I was superhuman. I am not capable of doing everything. How many of us stay busy all day long? At one point I had to keep my schedule book around because I would break my day into 15-minute intervals. There was a three-year period of my life where I would drive from Zachary to New Orleans for work. I never spent less than 3.5 hours on the road. Then I either had a newborn or was expecting. I was beyond exhausted. I used to feel guilty when I had to turn people...

I’ve been a self-help kind of gal that likes to read books and take accountability. If I wanted something, I worked hard to earn it. I have evaluated ways that I could improve myself often. I’d assess my choices but then I would do them all for fear of making the “wrong” choice. Choices like, “Should I go for a walk right now or spend time with my family?” “Should I take a shower right now or clean the kitchen?” “Can I get a moment to breathe or should I go read a bedtime story to my child?” became the norm.   When I found myself working harder than ever and feeling as though my days were running together without feeling...

Throughout my career as a therapist, I have uncovered a couple of topics that always come up in sessions. Self-care ranks in the top three, easily. Self-care is the intentional choice to do something for yourself to preserve yourself. Self-care is restorative and mandatory if you are going to thrive. Often my clients ask, what are some examples of self-care? Well, since you asked, here are 101 ideas for self-care. Watch a sunset. Take ten deep breaths (on purpose). Attend a yoga class. Take a bubble bath. Listen to your favorite music. Take a Walk. Work out. Go paddle boarding. Bake a treat. Spend a few minutes on the swing.                                  Do a...

What is a Default Parent? If you have to think about who the default parent is in your household, chances are it's not you. You'd know. I am the default parent in my home. It is clear as day and I may as well have it tattooed to my forehead. I am the parent that is in charge of the emotional, logistical and physical needs of my children. I am the manager of anything that requires an appointment. I am the meal planner, extracurricular coordinator, and CEO of the family calendar. Truthfully the list is never-ending. All. Day. Every. Day. I handle the needs of all 4 children: school schedules, orientations, open house, school uniforms, dentist, doctor, birthdays, haircuts, and rotations...