J'Wanna Spann, MA, LPC

Be better because you can. Stop self-destruction and self-distrust. You are what you believe.

I wish I knew who created this powerful work of art here.

Some people assume the comfort zone is the best option for maneuvering through life. The comfort zone is limiting. We are not living up to our best potential in the comfort zone. Try pushing yourself to do more and learn to look at each step as a growing opportunity. Do not limit your success. Stay out of the box.

The true work of art lies within. Make you a priority. Be empowered and be unapologetically you.

Happy New Year! Last year was the year of leveling up. 2020 is the year of walking abundantly. Whatever you've been hoping for, spent time on creating and establishing, and believing in will come to pass. I do not take for granted the secrets people choose to disclose to me. I feel overjoyed witnessing them walk into freedom. Grey Dove Counseling is here to help you heal and restore. Therapy works when you fight for yourself. Keep your mind focused on breathing life to the vision(s) and dream(s) that others cannot touch or take away. I believe in you. Now you believe in you. Peace and blessings.

I realize that seeking a therapist is one of many hard steps to take in life. If you believe you will be scrutinized, then I am here to tell you that it will not happen with me (and several other professionals within my field). Mental Health is on the same level as physical health, emotional health, and spiritual health. Do not suffer in silence or think that your pain is less than when comparing yourself to others. As a matter of fact, stop comparing yourself to others. Let a professional use that technique to prove a valid point...YOU ARE WORTH IT. Get out and find a therapist that is waiting for you to take the next step. Greatness is in you. Now...give yourself the chance (not a chance) to let it show. Peace and blessings!!

I have the pleasure and honor of speaking at E.B. Elling Elementary School on July 27, 2019 for a Women's Conference. There will be other wonderful and gifted speakers as well. Please join us. Registration is $25. Address: 5600 Ellington School Road, Ravenel, SC.

I do not know if you experience what I have experienced when trying to maintain balance in life. The beauty of living allows us to learn about ourselves if we slow down, attune to what we need (emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually), and create and sustain balance. I have learned that balance will require me to make huge decisions. The best decisions are made while in wise mind. I am pretty sure this apply to others. Take time to acknowledge the imbalances in life. Do not give the imbalances freedom to rent space in your life. Remeber, you have the ability to change your circumstances. What step are you willing to take now to implement balance?

How has life been to you lately? Are you constantly on the go? Have you practiced self-care? In what ways did you show yourself some self-compassion?

Confession: I have not practiced good self-care. I found ways to engage in self-compassion. I realize to be highly effective, I have to do both. Jobs will be around whether we are alive or dead. People will go on once we have shut our eyes and taken the last breath. I challenge you to focus on practicing self-care and self-compassion everyday for the rest of this month and share your experience with someone. You are always welcome to do so with me. Remember, we are at our best when we give ourselves the best too. Protect your mental health.

Long and serious post: Good evening to those who are reading this post. I sit, listen, observe, and analyze how people try to get through each day. Please understand that depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are not always visible. We are doing a disservice to our loved ones by watching them suffer instead of walking with them to get help. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who is willing to help as many people gain healing so that they have a chance at living and enjoying life. I know I cannot do it on my own. I am reaching out to each of you to connect with a relative, friend, and/or friend of a friend who is in need of counseling. I have contacts all over the states that I can reach out to. Please know you will not have to do this alone. Let us help while we still have time.

In honor of those silently suffering, help is near and accessible. If anyone is interested, please respond to this post and I WILL reach out to you. If you need to reach out privately, please go to my website greydovecounseling.com (link may be attached) and click contact me or email me at [email protected].

Peace and blessings to all.

Grey Dove Counseling Taking Steps to Live a Life Worth Living

Never let someone else's negative opinion of you become your reality. ~Les Brown
The new year is here. Do not try changing into a new you and forget the lessons learned in 2018. Be you and let go of other people's negative opinions of you. Step outside of your comfort zone and work on keeping your cup full. Remember, what is in the cup is for you and what runs over is up to you to share with others. I challenge you to choose to live in 2019 and go beyond surviving. Do you accept?

When operating in your purpose, you do not view yourself making sacrifices. You see yourself as being driven, motivated, and set on accomplishing your goal(s). By doing so, you feel and act differently and have a glow that is seen by many. Do not give salty people permission to walk on your path and give you negative feedback because they are stuck. Walk in expectation as though what you want has already been given to you.

J'Wanna Spann, MA, LPC updated their phone number.

Depression does not look or feel the same for others. Before judging those brave enough to talk about depression, read this article to fill your learning tank.

What It's Really Like To Live With High-Functioning Depression Most people don't realize that I am struggling.

We are not born already recognized as great. It is something you are focused on accomplishing for your personal gain. Do not allow your past to paint the picture of your present. The future is not here. With that being said, I have transitioned from LPC-A to an official LPC. Hardwork helped me transition to this place. My greatness is contingent upon the commitment to myself. I am in control of what happens in my present. Blessings to all.

More and more people are standing up and speaking out about the benefits of mental health therapy. Remember everyone has something. That does not mean you are labeled by a diagnosis. Be your own advocate and take steps to be mentally healthy. This article sums it up. Enjoy!!!

Simone Biles Shows We Can’t Treat Anxiety From Trauma the Same as Generalized Anxiety "I had a lot of ups and downs throughout the year... trying to figure out what was wrong."

One of the functions in therapy is to identify a goal. We can lose sight of where we need to be by trying to set goals for where we want to be within 5 to 10 years. Always start small when deciding to make any positive changes in life. An example is to set a goal to accomplish within 30 days. Set a weekly benchmark to help you get closer to achieving that goal. Allow that goal to provide you with opportunities to grow. You are either going to help yourself be successful or get in your own way.

I hope this post reach someone in need of encouragement. Pets are therapeutic in so many ways. Some people like cats and some like dogs. I love them both. This is my cat (one of my spoiled fur babies) and he has a way of reminding me why life is worth living. Of course I have learned that there is no privacy with him and he loves to cuddle when I have had a long day.

In honor of the Su***de Awareness Month, get a furry companion to help improve your mood. This is one of many steps in choosing to live versus giving up. A pet will inspire you to wake up, get out of bed, and do something positive because that pet depends on you to help him or her live. Do not look at life as surviving. You are more than a survivor. Take the next step by reaching out to mental health therapists in your area. Yes...I typed therapists because you may have to keep connecting to feel comfortable with the right one for you. I promise we are not like what you've seen on television. You are more than a case and/or statistic. We CARE about you and will walk with you on your road to recovery.

I am so blessed to receive something like this from my clients. I am certainly going to share the sweet treats with others.

A change in attitude requires us to be mindful of what we are feeding ourselves and how we view life. I am a firm believer in starting my day by listening to positive sounds, music, and/or people. Les Brown, a motivational speaker, shared the benefits of stepping outside of his comfort zone. I challenge you to follow this statement: Life begins when you step outside of your comfort zone. Use this to take charge and control of how you live your life. No one can live it better than you.