by Amanda Romero, LMHCA

One of my favorite questions to ask my clients is, "What does success look like to you?" To me, it is also important to ask, "What does it look and feel like?" because I like to challenge people to imagine this success, if they can, to see it in their mind -- all of the colors, the sounds, smells, and feelings.

Here is what I've noticed from the people I've talked to about this: younger people tend to be more future oriented, grasping for something they feel they still have not earned or that is just beyond their reach. Conversely I find that older individuals' definition of success is often more based in having an increased and deeper connection with the present, feeling relaxed, and being lifestyle-oriented.

This can be a really scary question and a heavy topic for many people. 

Some of you might nope out after just reading the headline. 

However, if you're in a space where you can access the courage to do so, I want you to ask yourself, “Do I actually know what to do when a loved one dies?”

Now you might be thinking, “Whoa Amanda, why are you writing about this??”

Because we as a society need to talk about this topic more.

Taboo topics do not help anyone and only hurt people when those individuals go through experiences with either the wrong information or too little information. Taboos breed loneliness and make pain more difficult to discuss. Please allow me to gently walk along with you through the three major components of what to do when dealing with death: Pre-Death Planning, Disposition, and Funeral or After Life Services & Recovery For the Living.

Even though rest is one of the most basic forms of self-care, many of us are not getting enough. Why is that? Here is a clue: sleep is only one type of rest that we need. In this article I will go over the seven different types of rest and explore with you what may be missing to help you feel more alive and well... human. 

by Amanda Romero, LMHCA

Anyone else having trouble balancing finding your own holiday magic with keeping the holiday stress at bay?

Do you hate the holidays or winter? Is this a hard time of year for you? If so, you've come to the right place.

In this blog post, I'm going break down two big things that can help with this holiday and winter season: 1) finding joy and rest during this time and 2) establishing healthy holiday and get-together boundaries (and how to do that!).

Finding Joy and Rest

Living within the natural rhythm of winter is not always the easiest, especially since our unnatural 24 hours of light, task oriented days, and unrealistic expectations of what we should be doing can all get in the way. Our 21st-century lives make it hard to be present and listen to our bodies' needs: the need to rest, the need to slow down, the need to go within and reflect. Even though we are not getting enough energy from the sun in the winter, for some reason we still continue to try to force ourselves to live as energetically and enthusiastically as we do in the summer.

I believe there is a medicine in the darkness and stillness of the long winter nights. Like all things in nature (and, believe it or not, we are a part of nature), we also need--and our bodies crave--to slow down. We may find ourselves sleeping more, napping, staying in more often, and wanting to go out less. This desire to slow down is why...

As Autumn approaches, have you noticed an ability to breathe deeper? Or maybe the changing weather is not your jam? Why do so many people love different seasons and alternatively why do so many people hate different seasons? In this article I'll explain what seasonal alignment can look like, how to figure out which seasons are easier or harder for you to navigate, and how to make this your season of healing... written by Amanda Romero, LMHCA

Okay, so you have a health insurance plan which is supposed to make getting healthcare easier, right? So why is it so difficult to use and confusing to understand? While Twin Lakes Counseling does rely on our clients to understand and track their own individual plan and benefits (because each plan is so different!), we are here to help you figure it out. Here is what we feel you need to know...

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting quarantine measures have no doubt taken a toll on the mental health and social wellness of many. The CDC states that stress can cause everything from anxiety and depression to physical sickness, and even changes in interests and desires. In this article, we will look at some of the ways that COVID-19 has affected relationships and mental health.

When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in "what-ifs." Luckily there are many powerful tools and techniques you can use...

Many of us have found ourselves working from home because of the coronavirus. And while the country has slowly begun to open back up, threats of a "second wave" have emerged, which means a majority of us could be working from home for the foreseeable future. Here are some ergonomic tips to help your body feel more comfortable...

All of us have struggled in our own way to deal with the effects of the coronavirus. But if you are a parent, you most likely have even more concerns about the impact the virus and subsequent lockdown have had on the emotional health of your children. 

Most human beings don't get through life without dealing with their fair share of stress. But some people seem to deal with more stress than others. For instance, according to a report by the American Psychological Association (APA), both low-income populations and racial minorities have a greater risk of developing mental and physical health issues as a result of stress...

Most of us from a young age are taught how to be kind, considerate and compassionate toward others. But rarely are we told to show the same consideration to ourselves. This becomes even more true for individuals brought up in abusive or unloving homes.

Not many of us have ever experienced the kind of isolation that this COVID-19 pandemic has brought about. While quarantine for some has been a welcomed break from the hustle and bustle of life and a chance to spend more quality time with the family, for others it has been an incredibly lonely experience away from coworkers, friends, and those they love and need most.

In addition, and to make matters worse, loneliness can make managing stress more difficult. And let’s be honest, we are all surrounded by stress these days from worrying about when the world will open up again, when we can start working and earning a living and when life will get back to normal.

You have most likely heard the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – also known as PTSD. It is used to describe the mental and emotional anguish suffered by those who have experienced sudden trauma. PTSD is often experienced by soldiers as well as those who have been victims of rape and other crimes, and even victims of house fires and car accidents.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) describes a condition that very much presents like PTSD, the difference being the sufferer experienced prolonged periods of abuse or neglect. This could happen as a result of childhood neglect or the abuse suffered at the hands of a narcissistic partner.

It is said we fear the unknown, which is why many people shy away from receiving therapy. It can be intimidating walking into your therapist's office for the very first time, not knowing what to expect.

On the flip side, some people assume they know everything about therapy and are then quite surprised when receiving treatment.

The thing is, although therapy is not as stigmatized as it once was, it is still not talked about in most social circles. And so many people have the wrong ideas about it. If you have been considering seeking help from a mental health professional, you most likely have some questions as well.

With that in mind, here is what no one tells you about therapy -- but should!

Sometimes life spins out of control, and it's all that we can do to keep standing. When that happens, reaching out for help can be the bravest, most vulnerable thing you can do. Researcher Brené Brown, who gave an incredibly powerful talk on vulnerability, says that our ability to lean into discomfort is absolutely necessary for connection and belonging -- a fundamental need for each person to live to their fullest.