The Convenient Counselor

We all know that rules are meant to keep us safe, and boundaries can be protective...but what about certain "lines" in your life that you may not know their origin? Did someone "draw" in your life and you've never acknowledged it? In this episode, we explore this common question I ask in therapy, and walk through examples that might apply in your situation.

Past episode referenced:
Episode 2 - Measuring Stick 

Back from summer break, barely meeting the personal August "deadline" in my mind...better late than never! :)  In this episode, learn about four areas where this common phrase might need some evaluation:
- Apologies
- Course correcting in parenting
- Self-Care
- Pursuing a paused dream

Mentions in the episode:
Episode 10/11: Rethinking Self-Care
Episode 52: Unconventional Self-Care
Episode 61: Creating a Self-Care Menu
Episode 89: Holiday Self-Care
Episode 102: When You Only Have a Few Minutes...

Download Briana's free self-care guide: brianaleach.com 

In this episode we revisit the concept of applying the "5,5,5 principle" to your daily life!

When you talk about your own mental health struggles, how do you "label" them? Do you call it "my anxiety" when you talk about dealing with anxiety? Have you mis-labeled other issues as something that's a bit more palatable in your mind? Learn more about how this can be harmful rather than healing in this episode, and what you can do instead!

We often think that since we can hear/process most of our inner thoughts, we are vulnerable with ourselves, right?? Unfortunately that is not always true. In this episode, learn examples of what practicing self-vulnerability might look like, or confirm if you are already practicing this important mental health skill!

Join in on round #5 of listener-submitted questions, and hear Briana's response to the following:

"I have a family member that would really benefit from counseling, but I'm not sure how to tell them that without offending them. What should I do?"

"What can I do to make the most of my time in therapy?"

"Is it okay if couples don't fight? Doesn't that mean they are doing well?"

Previous podcast episode mentioned: Episode 64 - "4 Things to Do Before a Counseling Session" https://www.buzzsprout.com/275153/8419743-episode-64-4-things-to-do-before-a-counseling-session.mp3?download=true 

*Note for the audio - my computer fan was much louder than expected, which was not noticed until after recording all audio! So if you hear a slight hum in the background, that's what it is!

Where is your "happy place?" Is it a location or view you are able to visit often? Are you aware of moments in your life that could qualify as a happy place, AKA a place you feel at ease and fully yourself? Learn more about these questions and the importance of finding a realistic "happy place" in this short and sweet episode!

"I never thought I would be an angry mom." "Why am I angry ALL the time?" 
In this episode, we re-visit the concept first shared way back in Episode 6 of this podcast...the acronym GIFT to help explain your anger. This time, we learn how the secondary emotion of anger shows up often in motherhood, and how you can better communicate your emotions/needs in the moment.

What does it mean to be authentic? Is oversharing part of being authentic towards others? These two concepts are often mistaken as synonyms, when in reality they are quite different. Learn more about authenticity vs. oversharing in this episode, and find out how to gauge if you've done this in your own life!

"Ugh, she has such an attitude."
"He is SO selfish."
When we are in a posture of judgment, it's very hard to be humble. In this short episode, learn a few phrases that can help re-center your heart in moments of judgment towards others.