Finding Center When Your Child Leaves For College

It seems like all of life is change, doesn’t it? And change can sometimes feel terrible, but it is also great because when things are happening that we don’t like that means things will eventually change! Little changes, like your favorite restaurant changing their menu, don’t require much recalibrating. But big changes, like a child going off to college, can require major calibration. My Child is Leaving for College I am preparing to send my eldest child off to college in 12 days. She and I have a close relationship - somehow we missed that “I hate you” phase that people always tried to warn me about. I am grateful for the warmth between us. I gave her more and more agency for herself as [Read more...]

By Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern|

Pleasure Principle: Sexual Health Is Important

Think back to what you learned about sex in school or in your family. You likely heard about pregnancy, diseases, and morality. And you likely did not hear about the pleasurable aspects of sex. Yet, pleasure is one of the main reasons people engage in sexual activity, both with themselves and with others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is one of the four main dimensions of human health, along with the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. According to the WHO, “Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of [Read more...]

By Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern|Tags: sex, sexual health|

Self-Care SOS

Holidays can be wonderful and joyful! And they can be overwhelming and bring up many emotions which we may have been avoiding all year. What better time than now to engage in some primo self-care, right as the new year starts? When you find yourself in need of tending, here are a few ideas to contemplate. Consider this a self care menu, which you can alter to fit your needs. Experiment to see which things you find helpful for you. There are no rights or wrongs, and there is nothing to achieve. Stay curious about what works for you, which will no doubt change over time! Do a walking meditation. I like this one: https://www.wildmind.org/walking/introductionJournalMy favorite holiday moment from childhood - sights, smells, sounds, feelings, [Read more...]

By Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern|

Suffering

Recently, a fellow cancer survivor friend was asked by a publication to write a piece about an experience that she had with her journey through cancer. She agreed, always happy to spread more awareness of the challenges of this devastating, harrowing feat that many go through. She poured her heart out, speaking authentically about both her challenges and her triumphs, but she quickly received feedback from the editors. They wanted a more "positive" piece, and wondered if she could simply edit out some of the struggle? Simple? No. Absolutely not. My Cancer Journey As a cancer survivor myself, I have frequently been put in a position where others have expected me to minimize, or even ignore, my lived experiences in order for them to feel [Read more...]

By Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern|

About Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern

Finding Center When Your Child Leaves For College

Pleasure Principle: Sexual Health Is Important

Self-Care SOS

Suffering