Anne M. Erickson, LCMHC

I love these new pieces for my office! They were made by a local artist. I selected the first one with individuals in mind; the second one with couples in mind. Which is your favorite?

The Power of Remembering: At a family brunch this morning, my aunt (my dad’s twin) gave my mom photos of my parents’ wedding day that we’d never seen. My aunt had old slides converted to prints. We were moved to tears by this gesture.

My dad died in 2014 and it still means so much to hear stories about him and see these photos. The last photo (used with permission) is when my mom saw these for the first time, as my aunt looked on. If you know someone who is grieving, send a note of remembrance. No matter how much time has passed, it will mean the world.

Anne M. Erickson, LCMHC added a View Shop button to their Page.

Animals live in the now...watching, listening, feeling the cool air. Let’s try to be like Molly today. ❤️

This is such a great reminder! What kind(s) of love are you appreciating lately?

An amazing, integral part of therapy is that you will find yourself experiencing very familiar feelings in the therapeutic relationship. What happens in the relational space with your therapist will usually mirror what happens in your other relationships. The difference is that, in therapy, you can bring these patterns into your consciousness and that will set the stage for change.

When, and how, will you rest today?

I fact-checked this word and it’s for real, dating back to the 11th century. It’s pronounced “oot-key-are-a.” Did you experience it this morning?

You may be finding a lot of comfort in watching seasons of a favorite show right now. Even if you’ve watched the full series many times before. It makes sense. You’re immersing yourself in something that’s utterly predictable and may even have a happy ending. That’s the opposite of the times we’re living in right now. What’s your favorite show?

I love this twist on writing down worries. There are so many things in our lives that are out of our control right now. Sometimes we lose our sense of personal agency. Time to reclaim your power...it’s empowering to see it written in black and white!

What would you add to the list? 🤔

💯

We’re babysitting a foster puppy for a few days. This is a wonderful way to get some short-term dog therapy! Check with your local adoption center and sign up to be a sitter. 😊

Years ago, in the depths of my depression, I sat on my therapist’s couch. Dejected. The entire session, I could only say what a terrible human being I was because I couldn’t pull it together. She softly said, “That’s the depression talking.” It’s a phrase I’ve kept front and center all these years. Because it gave me hope that, underneath the darkness, my essence was still alive and it would find its way to the surface.

Have you ever encountered this reaction? A mental health struggle is so difficult to describe to someone who has never experienced it. Getting this reaction can make you feel even more misunderstood and alone. Reach out to connect with people who do understand and won’t judge. Those others? Their reaction is actually all about their own stuff, not about you. Don’t sweat it.

Which ones resonate with you?

Since establishing this professional Instagram account, I’ve connected with many other therapists’ accounts. And I began noticing a common thread. The most popular accounts seem to be ones in which the therapist reveals their human side.

This caused some cognitive dissonance for me. In our training, we’re taught that self-disclosure should be used very sparingly in session. And, if done at all, it should be brief and directly in service of the client’s needs.

In session, I adhere to that way of being. In fact, it’s an ethical imperative. My role is to show up and be fully present. Not to tell the latest shenanigans in my own life.

It’s natural to be curious about your therapist’s life. And it seems that in this new era of therapy, and especially during these turbulent times, sharing our humanity with clients is serving to strengthen the therapeutic relationship, rather than compromise it.

So here’s a slice of my life...goofing off with my daughter as I’m about to drive her to school. I’m not a morning person. I went by Starbucks on my way home and ordered an oh-so-basic venti vanilla latte, two pumps of vanilla, no foam. I’m worried about my kids. I fret about our decision to send one to campus and let the other stay home. I have strange, vivid dreams and wake to my jaw feeling sore.

Yes, I’m human. And one of the greatest honors of my life is to take a deep breath, put all that to the side, and show up for my clients.

Do you like to hear little details of your therapist’s life? Or would you rather not know? There’s no wrong answer!

That feeling when your clothes are drenched and you borrow something dry from your therapist friend/mentor and of course it’s a cowlneck because...therapist wardrobe. What piece of clothing makes you feel exactly like yourself? Disclaimer: I’m not looking at anyone out of frame. I just can’t take a decent selfie straight-on. 😬

Which one are you today? Please share!

What do you feel you *need* to know right now, but can’t possibly know? Here’s a short list of possible responses to that question: when the pandemic will end, how the election will turn out, whether you or someone you love will get sick. Sometimes we feel if we could just know what’s coming, then we could prepare. We could have a sense of control, not feel so helpless. What would it feel like to accept not knowing?

Nope! Human first, therapist second. 😊

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Gertrude Stein // "Coffee is a lot more than just a drink; it’s something happening...like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but like somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup."

I might spray a client with a water bottle for something else, but not for memes. Note: I don’t actually spray clients with water bottles. No clients have been harmed in the creating of this post.

If things don’t seem to make much sense right now, it’s because...they don’t make sense. Humor is a positive way to cope. I often prefer dark humor!