Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC

We have been hearing from many people who are seeking therapy that it's been a struggle to find therapists who are accepting new clients. We wanted to let you know that Serenity Hope Counseling has current openings. Feel free to reach out if you are one of those people, in Washington state or Idaho, trying to find help for yourself, your relationships, or for friends or family.

Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC Our Mission Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC is a mental health private practice founded with a call to serve and walk with individuals who need help reaching their personal growth and/or meet their recovery goals. The dream behind Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC is to me...

Such a cool realization that Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC is now 10 years old. I’m super grateful that God allows me to walk along beside of folks He sends my way. What started in a small little office in a former little house in Bonney Lake, Washington in November 2013 is now a fully online business that allows me to work with people in both Idaho and Washington. A lot has changed in 10 years!! This began with me wondering if I would really be able to make it as a fully functioning business and is now my sole income, working from wherever I am located. Thank you God for blessing me with this opportunity!! Please continue to allow SHC to be used for your plans and purpose.

Posted • Examples of validation:

“I’m really sorry that happened to you.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I believe you.”

NOT validation:

“You should…..”
“You just need to….”

How to Protect Yourself From Post-Separation Abuse You may still be in danger after leaving an abuser. Learn about what post-separation abuse might look like so you can be prepared.

ANNOUNCEMENT - Laura Inglis is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Washington and Idaho. This new certification allows Serenity Hope Counseling, PLLC the ability to expand by providing Telehealth therapy to people in Idaho as well as continuing to provide services in Washington state. If you find yourself in need of therapy and support, or know of anyone from their teens up to retirement age, in either state please reach out and let's see if we can help.

We are often questioned about why we are no longer accepting insurance for services. Here is a great article that explains it best.

Ten Reasons Why Your Mental Health Provider Stopped (or Never Started) Taking Your Health Insurance by Dr. K. Hixson

A cognitive distortion that we commonly experience is the 'should' statement. It is a thought that creates rigid rules about how you should be doing something.

This cognitive distortion also affects your thoughts about other people - how they ought to be or must do things.

When I first learned about 'should' statements as a cognitive distortion, I was a little confused. We do have obligations and there are things we ought to do to accomplish a specific goal. But we get into trouble when our 'should' thoughts lead us to feel guilty and discouraged. If these statements are targeted toward others, they can lead to resentments that may not be warranted.

To understand whether your 'should' statement is rational or a false sense of obligation, ask yourself "why is this important?". When you can provide a reason that is rational and not underlying fear or guilt, then it is a relevant thought.

Unhelpful 'should' statements can make us inflexible in our decisions and may leave us feeling stuck in our situation.

What are your thoughts on the 'should' statements being a thinking error?

Take care of your mind and body. Love, Nawal ♥️

https://youtu.be/YOd7M5p_Iu0

Anxiety/Depression vs Faith A workshop I taught at the Northwest Christian Women’s Conference 2022.

What Are the Power and Control Wheels? The Power and Control Wheel and the Cycle of Violence help victims of domestic violence better understand what they’re going through.

❤️❤️❤️

You are strong 💪

“I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.”

From the diary of a 2-year-old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad.

I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,
“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”

This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”

This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”

I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”

I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”

This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “Here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

*edited to add: I have finally identified the author! Thank you, Dejah Roman for your POWERFUL words*

Domestic Violence and Faith - NNEDV Faith can be an important part of a survivor’s journey of healing, but in some cases it can also complicate their path to safety. Some survivors may be faced with abusers who manipulate religious beliefs and religious teachings or faith leaders who lack the knowledge to provide counsel, creating a...

Whether through the loss of a loved one, loss of a job or loss of moments stolen by the virus, COVID-19 has impacted everyone in some way. We all cope in different ways, so meeting one another where we are is the best form of support.

Just a little midweek reminder that you are loved ❤️

Exactly.

Now the question is, do you believe it?

Happy Monday!