Caren Wharton, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

I absolutely love this! This is spot on! Unfortunately I had to learn this the hard way… struggling through the darkest period of my life! I am determined to help anyone I can discover this before getting to that point of darkness.

Absolutely! 🙌

The act of walking away from someone you love is not a surrender, but a profound reclamation of the self – a defiant declaration that your well-being, your peace, your very survival, are sacrosanct and worthy of fierce protection. 🔥

For those who have had to make this agonising choice, you know the depths of courage it demands. To turn your back on the familiar, on the bonds that once tethered you, in order to safeguard the fragile flame of your own existence – it is a revolution of the soul, a refusal to let your light be extinguished by the forces that seek to diminish you.

In that pivotal moment, when the scales finally tipped and you realised that staying would be an act of self-annihilation, you made the brave choice to put your own oxygen mask on first. You chose to honour the truth that self-preservation is not selfish, but a radical act of self-love and self-respect.

And in doing so, you unlocked a deeper understanding of what it truly means to cherish yourself – not just in words, but in actions that demand you prioritise your own well-being above all else. For how can we claim to love ourselves if we willingly remain in situations that erode our peace, our boundaries, our fundamental sense of worth?

This journey has been one of profound growth, of shedding the narratives that kept you tethered to cycles of self-abandonment and people-pleasing. It has been a reclamation of your sovereignty, a defiant stance against the notion that your needs should ever be subjugated for the sake of others.

So let this be a celebration of your resilience, of the self-love and self-respect that guided you through the fire and into the light. Let it be a reminder that walking away from what no longer serves you is not defeat, but the ultimate act of self-preservation – a choice that honours the sacred truth that you, and you alone, are the author of your own becoming.

There is not one specific way to process trauma… but there is the need to allow yourself to feel & be led by your emotions, that is a necessity!

Self-care is incredibly important for mental health because it helps you maintain a healthy relationship with yourself, which can improve your overall well-being. Here are some key points on why self-care is essential:

1. **Reduces Stress**: Engaging in self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies can help reduce stress levels and prevent burnout.

2. **Improves Mood**: Taking time for activities you enjoy can boost your mood and increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

3. **Enhances Physical Health**: Good self-care practices, such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising, can improve your physical health, which in turn positively affects your mental health.

4. **Increases Self-Esteem**: When you take care of yourself, you send a positive message to your brain that you are valuable and deserving of care, which can improve your self-esteem.

5. **Builds Resilience**: Regular self-care can help you build resilience, making it easier to cope with life's challenges and bounce back from setbacks.

6. **Prevents Mental Health Issues**: Consistent self-care can help prevent the onset of mental health.

Remember, self-care isn't selfish—it's a necessary practice for maintaining your mental health and overall well-being.

What do you do for your self-care? Please share below!
This is one thing I do for my self-care! 😁

Negative self-talk can be really tough to deal with, but there are several effective strategies to help manage it:

1. **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)**: This is a common type of talk therapy that can help you identify and change negative thinking patterns.

2. **Mindfulness and Meditation**: These practices can help you become more aware of your thoughts and learn to observe them without judgment.

3. **Positive Affirmations**: Replacing negative thoughts with positive statements about yourself can help shift your mindset over time.

4. **Journaling**: Writing down your thoughts can help you process and challenge negative self-talk.

5. **Talking to a Therapist**: Sometimes, having a professional to talk to can provide new perspectives and tools for dealing with negative thoughts.

6. **Exercise**: Physical activity can improve your mood and reduce stress, which can help decrease negative self-talk.

Remember, it's important to be patient with yourself as you work through these strategies.

Look to work towards progress not perfection! 😊

Sure is!

It’s never to late to heal 🥰

Research has shown that the relationship between client and therapist is the strongest predictor of therapeutic outcome: the stronger the alliance, the better the outcome! I am proud to be the person that my clients have easily been able to connect with!

What quality or qualities would you look for in a therapist that would make an easy connection for you to work with?

❤️

One of my child clients lost his mom last year and has been missing her! I discussed an idea I had with his dad about having a memory bear made for him in her honor & out of an article of her clothing (which my client chose). I think he will be super surprised & can’t wait to see his reaction when it’s given to him!
Thank you Remembered In Stitches!

💚

Great read for those struggling with a loss of a relationship (whether love interest or friend)

I know it hurts.
It’s a very strange feeling how someone can be in your life for months or even years and then one day ... all of a sudden not be there anymore.
Maybe the relationship ended on good terms.... or maybe it was completely catastrophic.
Either way .... it’s so bizarre how relationships can change so vast and rapidly.
And you know what .... you may not be at peace with what happened between the two of you ... and thats perfectly fine.
Sometimes the end of a relationship can literally be one of the hardest things we go through in life.
I want you to know it’s okay that your heart still hurts because of what happened.
You have made alot of memories with this person.
And these memories that you have made is something you can’t erase no matter how hard you try.
Whether you like it or not, they are a part of your story.
I know looking on these memories can be hard, and you may wish you could forget them.
But instead of forgetting, maybe we should try to focus on what came from the relationship.
You two joined paths for a particular reason.
Maybe you walked through some of the hardest times together.
Maybe you understood each other in a way no one else ever did.
Maybe you encouraged one another to be strong or to embrace who you genuinely were as a person.
Or maybe your relationship with them opened your eyes to what you truly needed in your life.
Regardless of what the reasoning was, it’s okay to acknowledge that .... that person meant a lot to you.
And it's okay if they still do.
It’s also okay that they aren’t in your life anymore.
What alot of people dont understand is, not every relationship we encounter will last a lifetime.
You shouldn't be lingering in the past questioning why everything happened the way it did.
What you need to do .... is to take what you've learned from that relationship and move forward in your life.
Knowing there are other relationships that will give you exactly what you've always dreamed of and more.
I need you to know that you're not going to feel this way forever.
You will continue to move forward and you will continue to grow with everyday that passes.
Take my advice and remember ....
Sometimes the people you wanted as part of your story, are only meant to be a chapter.
~ Cody Bret

The people behind random messages like this is WHY I continue to do what I do! The career I chose is NOT easy! Often times I question if I’m doing enough, helping or making a difference. My goal is to have my clients leave services of mine FEELING happier & healthier! It is so nice to get these on occasion as it keeps me motivated & helps with pushing on!

THIS 🙌

& if that doesn’t work, maybe we need to connect so I can help you see this ❤️

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌺

Thoughts and prayers offered to those who need them…

Crying & being vulnerable with your emotions is okay! Let THEM out!

Shout out to my hard working friends, family & clients! 👏

Anxiety is overwhelming and it has a strong mind body link. Here's how it could manifest in yourself or in others

Everyone deserves to lighten their load! 🥰 Allow yourself GRACE & EMBRACE the opportunity to unload your burdens

Feed your mind the “good stuff”! ❤️