Melissa LaCour, LPC

Love this! ❤️

Born in Oklahoma, Kenny was placed in foster care after experiencing abuse and neglect. After months of moving in and out of foster homes, Kenny felt afraid for where he might end up. Thankfully, Mary met Kenny and adopted him at age 4.

Though Kenny had the stability of a permanent, loving family, as a child, he struggled with the impact of being in foster care. He had difficulty processing his emotions and trusting those around him. As a response to the experiences he had been through, he’d sometimes act out in anger or frustration.

“When I was in high school, I loved sports, but I also had a lot of feelings of insecurity and a lack of belonging,” recalled Kenny. “I always said I wanted to be an Olympian, but I think at the time, I wasn’t really thinking about what that required. I was just going through the motions.”

When Kenny discovered track and field, he unlocked a new part of himself. He finally had a way to channel his energy into a positive and productive outlet. He defied the odds and started breaking records while running track there, quickly going pro.

Most recently, he qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.

In all of Kenny’s success to date, he credits his past with driving him forward.

“Every single previous version of me is still a part of me, including the trauma from my childhood. I own my past and my present,” said Kenny. “I am who I am, and I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved by buckling down and doing the really tough work — work on myself, working through emotional trauma and setbacks, and tough, hard work on the track.”

His message to those touched by foster care and adoption is one of hope.

“I want to inspire others and those who may have similar experiences and promote safety and stability for all children,” said Kenny.

Shared by Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Hi, it's me! Long time, no see y'all. I find it really challenging to keep up with social media posting, but I'm working on getting better at that. In the meantime, please check out my brand new website. This has been a months-long project and I'm really proud of the work I've done. It was really important to me to make sure people fully understand what I do and who I serve as a counselor. Please check it out and share!

Note: I currently have a few openings for new clients. Please reach out in a message or through the website if you have questions!

Melissa LaCour, LPC   Compassionate therapy for trauma & stress, relationships, and adoption.TEENS | ADULTS | FAMILIES Schedule Free Consult Does this sound familiar?You struggle to overcome painful past experiences and feel like they’re holding you back.You feel overwhelmed by your thoughts or emotions.Communicatio...

Emma Noel, PLPC and Melissa Cavanaugh, LPC are both counselors at Counseling and Recovery
Guidance. They have extensive experience working with children that have been affected by divorce.
They have put together this series of community classes to help families in this difficult transition and aid parents with the skills necessary to coparent effectively.

These courses are open to families that are currently navigating separation, mental health professionals, or anyone in the community that wants to learn more.

Co-Parenting Do's and Dont's: a Series Co-parenting is hard, one of the hardest things to do once a separation takes place. Allow us to help.

Slowly but surely creating a warm, safe space for my clients. I love what I do!

Tune in this Friday at 10:30 am to hear Katie's interview with Kaitlyn Moreau! November is National Adoption Month, something very special and personal for me. I've known Katie since kindergarten and am so excited to follow her work in the mental health field.

An honest conversation about her road to adoption. Tune into the LIVE with .moreau THIS friday. 🥰

✌️days away... Set your reminders! 🎉

Mine are: 😂 🥰 😬

Happy 4th of July! May we all continue to work tirelessly to create an America where everyone, regardless of race, creed, identity, or values, feels safe, honored, and loved. In the words of Peter Marshall, "May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right."

Did you know that today is International Joke Day? To mark the occasion, here are a few of my recent favorite mental health/counseling memes! Hope they make you giggle like I did!

#

Remembering all of the brave men and women whose lives were lost in service to our country. Your sacrifice is honored and deeply appreciated.

Happy Mother's day to all mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, birthmothers, godmothers, and anyone who plays a maternal role in the life of someone else.

My heart is with those for whom today is is difficult or painful. I see you and I'm here for you.

It's World Book Day! I have been an avid reader most of my life; however, over the past few years, I was "too busy" to read. What that really means is that I found plenty of other ways to spend my free time.

Last summer I took some time off of work and decided to try using that free time to read. I had forgotten how much I loved it and quickly fell back into a routine. I read every day now. My 2022 goal is to read 50 books and I'm currently ahead of schedule at 26.

The cool thing about reading is how much more accessible it is now than when I was growing up. We have access to audio books, e-books, and traditional print books. While there's nothing like the smell and feel of a printed book, the ease of digital reading has been a game-changer for me. Using my library card, I'm able to check out books digitally, saving time by not having to physically go to the library. I've also really enjoyed exploring Goodreads for suggestions and keeping tabs on what I've read. I'm so glad I decided to rekindle my love for reading!

📚 Are you a reader?
📚 Why or why not?
📚 What are your go-to genres of books?

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day was born in 1970, at the start of the modern environmental movement, and is celebrated each year on April 22. Today, Earth Day is now celebrated in over 192 countries across the globe.

Here are some Earth Day events happening in the Acadiana area:
🌎 Earth Day Festival, hosted by Sustainable Lafayette, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation, and Lafayette Chamber on April 30 from 11-2 at Golden Gate Way, behind the Library.
🌎 Earth Day Forest Bathing, hosted by The Therapy Garden on April 23 from 10:30-12 at Acadiana Park Nature Station.

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day was born in 1970, at the start of the modern environmental movement, and is celebrated each year on April 22. Today, Earth Day is now celebrated in over 192 countries across the globe.

Here are some Earth Day events happening in the Acadiana area:
🌎 Earth Day Festival, hosted by Sustainable Lafayette, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation, and Lafayette Chamber on April 30 from 11-2 at Golden Gate Way, behind the Library.
🌎 Earth Day Forest Bathing, hosted by The Therapy Garden on April 23 from 10:30-12 at Acadiana Park Nature Station.

Wishing you sunshine and a basketful of chocolate on this beautiful day. Happy Easter!

🐣

Melissa LaCour, LPC updated their address.

Treated myself to a little birthday gift today. Stay tuned for updates in the next few weeks. I’m so excited!

Happy first day of Spring! I love this season and everything it represents - renewal, rebirth, revival. May your spring be one of growth and new life!

🎆 Happy Holi! 🎆

What is Holi? It's a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the "Festival of Love," the "Festival of Colors," and the "Festival of Spring." Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love and for many. It is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I wanted to share one of my favorite Irish Blessings with you today.

"May peace and plenty bless your world
With a joy that long endures
And may all life’s passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours."

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Happy Valentine's Day! Some people love this holiday while others may struggle with it. I want to share a few tips from Talkspace for navigating logistics and emotions today.

If you're single:
💛 Indulge in self-care, by doing your favorite self care activities, whether it’s taking a bath with a fancy bath bomb, doing some yoga, going for a run, journaling, or meditating.
💛 Treat yourself! Be your own Valentine. Order in some of your favorite foods and watch a movie or show.
💛 Plan something with family or friends and celebrate other types of love. Instead of worrying you'll be alone, you'll be able to look forward to spending quality time with those you love.
💛 Seek out help if necessary. If you're feeling down, reach out to a friend or trusted mental health professional and let them know you need to vent.

If you're in a relationship:
❤️ Communicate. No matter how long you've been with your partner, it's important to communicate each of your expectations for what this day will look like for you.
❤️ Avoid comparison. Every couple is different. Everyone feels differently about this holiday. Maybe take a timeout from social media if it's hard for you not to compare your day to another couple you know.
❤️ Remember the meaning of the holiday. While Valentine's Day has become incredibly commercialized, it's important to remember that today is all about celebrating love. Celebrate you and your partner’s unique love, appreciate the relationship you have, and be grateful.

I hope today is filled with reminders that you are loved!

Wellness Wednesday! Have you done a mental health check-in with yourself lately? Here are a few areas of reflection to assess how you're doing:
☑️ How are your stress levels?
☑️ How do you feel your relationships are doing?
☑️ Are you taking care of your physical health?
☑️ Are you finding time to rest?

If you have a routine to "check-in" with yourself, what does that look like? Share in the comments!

Today is National Hugging Day! Hugging is simple and prior to COVID-19 and social distancing, something we probably took for granted!

Why are hugs so powerful? Well, hugging is one way in which we create close bonds with others, and it has a very real impact on us physically and psychologically. When we hug those we care about, our bodies release the hormone oxytocin which is good for both our mental and physical health. Oxytocin counteracts stress hormones such as cortisol. This is why hugs help us feel reassured, safe, and calm.

Who will you hug today?

Wishing all of you a very happy Thanksgiving! I'm feeling so much gratitude for my clients and colleagues who make this career so fulfilling.

Although we're nearing the end of November, I can't let the month pass without acknowledging one of my favorite topics - adoption!

I always spend a lot of time during this month reflecting on all the unique aspects of not only being adopted, but being part of a birth family too (my story is wild!) and I'm so grateful that this is something I've been able to incorporate into my work as a counselor.

I'm going to attempt to make a few more posts before the end of the month highlighting parts of my work in adoption counseling. Don't hold me to it though, because I'm also trying to take some time to actually rest during this Thanksgiving week!

Happy National Adoption month to everyone whose life has been touched by adoption!

Didn’t bring my sweet pups this morning but I enjoyed getting to visit with Rudy and Frankie! Great morning with the whole Worth Counseling gang.

Counseling | Melissa LaCour, LPC | Lafayette Melissa LaCour, LPC | Licensed Professional Counselor in Lafayette, LA. Counselor who works with children, adolescents, adults. Experience with anxiety, depression, trauma. Specializing in adoption counseling and sports counseling.

It’s back to school time here in Acadiana. While I love my time spent with clients at Worth Counseling Group, by day I work as a mental health counselor at a local school. Effective immediately, I have openings for new client sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30. I work with kids ages 10+, adolescents, and adults. Please reach out if you’re interested in counseling!

After 5 years that included obtaining a master's degree, passing the national board exam, and 3,000 supervised work hours, I'm pleased to announce that I am OFFICIALLY a Licensed Professional Counselor!

I am so grateful to have a career that I adore and I'm looking forward to many more years of working as a counselor. Stay tuned for some updates soon as I'm working on a few things to enhance my practice!

I love seeing athletes like Simone Biles advocate for counseling and mental health!