Christine Reece Counseling

When we say “yes” and want to say “no,” we are doing a disservice to ourselves and the person we are saying yes to.

But if I said yes to them, how is that hurting them?

You deny them the opportunity to grow. While this may be uncomfortable (for you) and cause them initial disappointment, they have to pivot and move in a different direction.

Your no could be someone else’s yes.

For example, a neighbor asks you to look after her kids in the morning. You have been looking forward to this quiet morning all week and can’t take this on. You say yes because she seems in a pinch, and you’re “a good person.” (Saying no, yuck, that feels so uncomfortable. She will think I’m a bad person.)

Saying no: I am so sorry you are in a pinch. I can’t help this morning, but you know I would be happy to assist in the future.

Neighbor: Oh. Okay, for sure. I’ll see you soon! She reaches out to the teenager down the street, saving for a car.

Teenager: overwhelming YES!

The neighbor had to pivot in HER pinch, NOT your pinch. You said no to her and yes to yourself, giving the person (teenager) who was meant to be there the opportunity to do so!

Start practicing saying yes to yourself. You’ve got this! 💜

You slowly sacrifice who you are as an individual to maintain the relationship.

Relationships are built on trust and safety: knowing it’s safe to go to your partner when things are tough. You should be able to trust that you will be met with respect, love, and openness.

When the opposite is shown, and you concede, you start to lose trust and safety within yourself.

Stop and pause. While conflict hurts, so does losing yourself to avoid it.

This place within a relationship can feel incredibly lonely and scary. Reach out. You don’t have to navigate this alone. You’ve got this. 💜
📩 [email protected]

Have you ever experienced hangxiety? 🧠

While alcohol may provide temporary relief or relaxation, it can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety in the long run. 👎🏼

By becoming mindful of how alcohol impacts your anxiety, you can take steps towards self-care and managing your anxiety more effectively.

Remember, it’s important to prioritize your mental health, and understanding the relationship between alcohol and anxiety can be powerful.

Looking for support? Reach out. You’ve got this. 💜

And the list goes on… 💫

Therapy is not just for addressing mental health issues, but it can also help with everyday concerns.

Many clients come to therapy to:
🌟 Improve their communication with their partner or family
🌟 Deal with stress from the workplace
🌟 Work through a difficult life transition
🌟 To gain a better understanding of their selves
🌟 Have a safe space to talk through their feelings

If you’re struggling with any of these concerns, therapy may be a helpful option. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your mental health and well-being. You’ve got this. 💜

Looking for a therapist? 💌 Schedule a free phone consultation with me at the link in my bio or [email protected]

Courage? Yes, often lots of courage.

* Showing up for yourself, maybe for the first time in your life, takes courage

* Sharing your deepest feelings takes courage

* Making a conscious decision to talk about things you promised yourself you’d never speak about again takes courage

* Releasing control takes courage

* Sharing the space of therapy takes courage

And each time you do, you’re practicing vulnerability. The vulnerability to grow, heal, love, be loved, and so forth. I am constantly reminding my clients of how brave they are. Often, more courageous than you think. You’ve got this. 💜

Why is it so hard to leave a relationship we consciously know isn’t good for us?

Our nervous system. 🤯

When your nervous system is attached to the craziness of a toxic relationship, it’s all it knows. The rollercoaster feels “normal.”

Recognizing this and understanding why we may be repeating the same toxic cycle is the ah-ha moment.

Undoing and relearning what it feels like for your nervous system to be safe & regulated… that’s where the real work is.

You’ve got this. 💜

Looking to begin therapy? Reach out! Link in bio to set up a free phone consultation or email: [email protected]

Ever find yourself in the middle of a life transition, encountering feelings you never expected? Change can be challenging, unfamiliar, and overwhelming. Working with a licensed therapist can help navigate your transition with you.

I am currently accepting new clients throughout SC, both in-person and virtually. Email: [email protected] OR click link in bio to set up a free phone consultation today!

You’ve got this! 💜

Ending a relationship hurts and can hurt deeply. 💔

Being the one who initiated the hurt you are feeling can be even more confusing.

Give yourself permission to hurt, grieve, and feel all the emotions of this decision.

I am happy to walk alongside your healing journey with you. 💜

Reach out today to schedule an appointment. ➡️[email protected]

We don’t need to be fixed.
Children don’t need to be fixed.
He or she doesn’t need to be fixed.

We are humans.

We need connection.
We need to be listened to.
We need space to just be.
We need validation.
We need empathy.

When we focus on how “they need to be fixed” or “if they would only change,” we ultimately miss our role in the relationship. What might they need from us? How can I show up and support in a different way? How can I connect with them where they are at?

Be there. Physically move toward. Listen. Be still. Put your phone down. Patience and practice will get you closer to what you are seeking versus the opposite and possibly growing further apart.

You’ve got this. 🩷

Yoga comes up a lot in therapy. Often as a way to move our bodies and also bring ourselves present. 🧘🏼‍♀️

While I, of course, love and encourage this practice for my clients, it’s not one that I honestly incorporate into my daily routine.

So when a friend asked me to join her this morning at Lowcountry Yoga, I said yes! Quickly followed with, “What do I wear?” 😅

Today I am thankful for friends that push me outside of my comfort.

I challenge you to stretch your comfort zone this week. You’ve got this. 💜

Rise and shine! ☀️

There are so many benefits to finding sunlight shortly after rising. 🤩

Grab coffee on the porch, walk outside, or read a book close to a sunny window. ☀️

What a great way to start our day. 💜

Just sayin’. Let them float... 💭💭💭

There’s vulnerability in starting something new, which often stops us in our tracks before we can even begin. What have you been putting off that you can start this week?

Start small. Start simple. Just start, and you'll be so proud of yourself.

You've got this! I believe in you. 💜

Anxiety can come on quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. Pause, recognize, and use your five senses to quickly ground yourself.

Whew. That’s better. You’re in control, not your anxiety. You’ve got this! 💜

Try NOT to think of something and what happens. You end up thinking about that thing more and more.

This is true of our emotions. The more we avoid them, run from them, and push them down - the more they end up sticking around and showing face in multiple ways.

Focus on staying with the emotion (anxiety, sadness, anger), feeling it (in your body), and moving through it.

Example - Giving notice to the feeling of anger you have towards a co-worker in the morning allows you to reset at that time - freeing that anger from being repressed all day and taken out on your family later that evening.

Baby steps. You’ve got this. 💜

Looking to begin therapy in the New Year?

Hi! 👋🏼 I’m Christine. A licensed therapist here in Charleston, SC specializing in anxiety, relationships, life transitions, communication, and grief.

I am accepting new clients both in-person 🛋️ and virtually 💻 across South Carolina.

Reach out via the link in the bio to schedule a free consultation. You’ve got this. 🤍

While family is family, it’s 💯 okay for you to hold boundaries that are in place even during a holiday. Remember you are not selfish for doing what is best for you and/or your immediate family. In fact, it may be the most loving thing you do.

Hold strong. You’ve got this. 🤍