Outside the Lines Counseling

{Self-Care is not one universal activity or practice. What you do to nurture yourself depends on your individual needs.}⁣⁣⁣
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How are you practicing self-care? ⁣⁣⁣
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Keep in mind where you have control, especially during these uncertain times.

For anyone who is struggling, just a reminder.

Feeling stressed? Anxious? Overwhelmed?
Pause. Take a break. Do something that brings you joy.
Dance.
Sing.
Move your body.
Feel the softness of your pet's fur.
Bite into a juicy apple.
Sip some tea.
Step outside and listen to the birds.
Walk barefoot in the grass.
Smell the flowers.
Listen to music--find your anthem for the day and belt it out.

It's the small things that calm us, allow our body to reset and bring us a bit of joy.

https://pin.it/n2js7csugi6no5

all in one day It is okay to contain multitudes – and all of it is beautiful.

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Adult Therapy Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know before you learned it.

https://9gag.com/gag/a491Pqm/the-mind-is-a-wondrous-thing/amp

The Mind Is A Wondrous Thing Share with your friends now

This is a great read for adults struggling with ADHD. Russell Barkley is one of the leading experts in this area for both children and adults.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1606233386/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505056267&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=russell+barkley+adhd+adults&dpPl=1&dpID=51q55Dl2iCL&ref=plSrch

Taking Charge of Adult ADHD For adults with ADHD, problems with attention, planning, problem solving, and controlling emotions can make daily life an uphill battle. Fortunately, effective help is out there. No one is a better guide to how to get the best care—and what sufferers can do for themselves—than renowne...

Often, people think of ADHD as something diagnosed in children. In fact, many adults are undiagnosed or diagnosed later in life. This article offers a look at what ADHD means in terms of executive functioning.

https://www.additudemag.com/7-executive-function-deficits-linked-to-adhd/

7 Executive Function Deficits Tied to ADHD An internationally recognized authority on ADHD, Russell Barkley, Ph.D., explains how executive function deficits originate in the brain and how they may serve as early warning signs of ADHD.

What is comfortable or routine feels safe. Challenging ourselves to feel uncomfortable--emotionally, spiritually, mentally--feels risky. Ask yourself: will this risk help me grow in a healthy way?

People often wonder how therapy helps. These are just a few ways you can benefit from therapy. Self-discovery and self-awareness are two other benefits. How has therapy benefitted you?
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www.firstcarecc.com

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Anxiety disorders are some of the most commonly experienced mental health issues. They are also often untreated. This link offers a nice concise write up with visual about anxiety disorders. If you suffer from some of these symptoms, consider a consultation with a therapist and with a psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practioner. Help is available and you can feel better.

6 Main Types Of Anxiety Disorders And What They Mean [INFOGRAPHIC] Anxiety disorder can be debilitating, but there are ways to cope.

Sometimes, imagining mental illness as something tangible allows others to realize just what you feel and experience. These are great illustrations and a way to embody to be invisible into something more understandable--both for families and friends and for those with mental health issues.

The monsters we fight with. (Click to enlarge) Click to see the pic and write a comment...

Sometimes it is difficult for someone to explain how depression and anxiety make him/ her feel--and how it affects him/ her each day. For loved ones, this captures some of this and puts it in perspective.

http://pin.it/cmPI_1R

This Comic Explains With Depressing Clarity What Living With Depression is Like This Comic Explains With Depressing Clarity What Living With Depression is Like

One of the hardest things to do:

Adult coloring books and colored pencils have infiltrated bookstores, craft stores and online shops. These books feature intricate designs, sometimes based on a theme. The colored pencils come in shades adults do not recall having as a child.

Coloring is a great way to tame anxious feeling and thoughts, to set aside a moment to focus on the sound of the pencil as it glides across the paper, the feel of the pencil in your hand, the bright and muted colors building in the picture, even the smell of pencil shavings. It allows you to use your senses to be in the moment. In other words, you are being mindful.

While the adult books are beautiful, I find that sometimes they can be too intricate and difficult for older clients to see. They can also be frustrating for some. As an alternative, I like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Magical-Mandalas-Arena-Verlag/dp/1402717210/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1474759019&sr=8-4&keywords=kids+mandala+coloring+book

While it may be kid themed, there are larger spaces to color, easier on the eyes and hands. As a bonus, you can encourage parents to do one with their child as a connecting activity. Happy Coloring!

Kids' Magical Mandalas When children start to color in these mandalas, magic happens. Suddenly, they quiet down, become deeply drawn into the images, and produce wonderful art. The reason: all the patterns are evenly distributed around a center to create a feeling of balance and harmony that no youngster can resist. Ki...

Greetings! I am Amy Heilman, Clinical Social Worker and owner of Outside the Lines Counseling. I am excited to be starting my own practice and to continue my work with clients. It is an honor and a joy to work with amazing individuals each day and share in their journey and self-discovery. I can't wait to update this page with cool quotes, links for resources and tips for people.