Alexa Connolly, LLC

Hello everyone, would you consider taking a look at this petition and signing it? Essentially, all of my fellow mental health therapists and I in Wisconsin are trying to advocate for our insurance reimbursement rates to increase. We haven't had a cost of living raise in quite a long time, and as the cost of everything keeps skyrocketing, it has become incredibly difficult for us to pay our bills in this economy.

The reimbursement numbers shared in the petition also need to be taken with the understanding that as a therapist I only get a percent of the money sent to me by the health insurance company, with the rest going to things like office rental fees, billing company fees, cost of having a secretary, call service fees, internet fees, office supplies, etc. On top of it, a lot of us see many people pro bono or on a sliding fee scale, making our income even smaller. We are required to have a masters degree for this work, yet sometimes our paychecks are below $1,000 for two weeks worth of work.

Here is the link: https://chng.it/HRP5Wn5LVJ

Thanks for signing and sharing!

Have you seen this petition yet? Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Wisconsin Mental Health Therapists

Sad news to share. Many of you may have met Jeff when he led group therapy with me last year. This is truly a devastating loss for our community.

Today’s grief group explored what the six stages of grief look and felt like for them. They explored their experiences with denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and meaning making. It was a tough group, and everyone in attendance was incredibly brave in their vulnerability.

Hey everyone! This amazing fundraiser is happening to benefit Mentor North, and not many tickets have been sold yet! This is such a great program for our community, so please consider buying a ticket! Plus who doesn’t like enjoying a yummy breakfast that you didn’t have to cook yourself?!? 🥞 🥞 🥞

https://mentornorth-bloom.kindful.com/e/flapjack-6

Help out my friend and business neighbor by bringing in some peanut butter and jelly to donate! Word on the street is that you can get two jars or PB and two jars of jelly at ALDIs for under $8!

We’re doing a peanut butter and jelly drive! Were be donating to the local Salvation Army in Superior. I toured the food shelf recently and they said they are always in need of PB and J. I’ll have a bin at the shop! Thanks for your consideration!

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Join me in lighting a candle at 7pm that day to honor all of the unborn children who were born sleeping, the miscarriages, and the children who died too young.

Happy World Mental Health Day!!

I believe that mental health is a universal human right, and I’m so honored to be supporting so many incredible individuals on their journey to heal, grow, and thrive!

Happy Indigenous People’s Day.

Here is a link to some culturally sensitive educational activities and resources to help you better understand today’s holiday:

https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/columbus-day-myths

Photo credit: Morningstar Designs
https://instagram.com/morning.star.designs?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Our grief support group spent some time reflecting on their grief journeys, and the important part that their support system played as they worked through their grief.

They came up with a list of things to say and do when someone is grieving, as well as a list of things to NOT say and do when someone is grieving.

Take a look and feel free to share any positive or negative experiences you have had when sharing your grief with others.

Some of my fellow therapists and I created a funny TikTok video. Enjoy! 🤪

TikTok · Al Connolly Check out Al Connolly's video.

Happy Juneteenth.

As a white person, I recognize my privilege and that it is my duty to do better. Celebrating Juneteenth is just the beginning. Getting rid of unconscious bias and working toward anti-racism is the next step.

www.local79.org

I often have clients who call themselves lazy, or selfish.

You. Are. Not. Lazy.

You. Are. Not. Selfish.

Taking care of yourself is important, and that could look like resting on the couch, laying in bed, saying no, canceling plans, or going out with friends. Do what is necessary to help yourself rest, grow, recover, and heal. ❤️

Training day for the next two days!

I’m looking forward to learning more about treating complex trauma through the lens of Internal Family Systems. ❤️

My office is a safe place for folx who are LGBTQIA+.

Anyone else grow up saying “Sorry” too much?

This was definitely me as a young adult. I’ve found this particular strategy to be immensely helpful, freeing, and empowering.

Have you given this strategy a try? I’d love to hear your experience!

This is such a powerful message. I often have clients share the toxic experiences they had with their parent(s), and their desire to have their parent(s) finally admit or even validate the emotional and/or physical pain/trauma they caused them throughout their childhood.

✨Your healing can't depend on someone else deciding they also want to heal.✨

What a deep lesson to process.

This is a great depiction of grief. Contrary to popular belief, grief is not a five stage process that ends with acceptance. It is a grueling, heart-rending journey where you experience all of the stages repeatedly. Grief isn’t something you get through, but instead something that you learn to live with.

If you struggle with grief, we have a lovely little grief therapy group that meets every week.

Reach out to us at the Creative Counseling Group to see if we would be a good fit for you. 📲 715-718-5606

Setting boundaries for your own wellbeing can be hard, but boundaries are so important. Don't let yourself feel guilty for doing what you need to stay healthy and whole.

Please share and donate if you can! The GSAFE board of directors is offering ANOTHER dollar-for-dollar match for their $5 @ 5PM campaign. Combined with the same offer from UW Health, your donation to support and protect LGBTQ+ students in schools across WI will be TRIPLED!

https://www.thebigshare.org/p2p/292269/alexa-connolly

5pm is coming soon!

Please share and donate if you can!

UW Health is partnering with GSAFE to offer a $2500 dollar-for-dollar match for this year's $5 @ 5PM campaign. Unlock the power of your donation by giving $5 or more to support and protect LGBTQ+ students in schools across WI!

https://www.thebigshare.org/p2p/292269/alexa-connolly

Please share and give if you can! While any time is a good time to give to GSAFE, a great time to give (or give again!) is 5-6PM on Tues, March 7th during their $5 @ 5PM campaign. Your donation of $5 or more will be doubled AND you can help GSAFE win an extra $750! Please join me in making schools safe for LGBTQ+ youth.

https://www.thebigshare.org/p2p/292269/alexa-connolly

Please join me in protecting and investing in LGBTQ+ youth by making a donation of $5 or more to GSAFE. Together we can make a big difference for students across WI!

https://www.thebigshare.org/p2p/292269/alexa-connolly

Hello everyone!!!

I'm fundraising to support and protect LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin schools. I see first hand how vital it is to support LGBTQ+ youth through my own work with many LGBTQ+ clients. I’ve always been impressed with GSAFE’s programs and willingness to advocate for our youth.

Will you join me by donating $5 or more to GSAFE by March 7? Together we can help students feel safe in school! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

https://www.thebigshare.org/p2p/292269/alexa-connolly

Alexa Connolly's Fundraiser Profile | The Big Share 2023 Help Alexa Connolly's fundraiser efforts for The Big Share 2023

Today’s grief group spent time exploring how grief has battered our hearts, but also identifying the supports we can utilize to help us along the way. Nothing can ever fix grief, but with a strong support network and healthy coping mechanisms, we can keep moving forward, hour by hour, minute by minute.

What or who has supported you through your grief journey?

Free Grief Support Tip:

There is a free, online support group for survivors of su***de loss in Northern Wisconsin put on by the Washburn County Mental Health Task Force. You don’t need to be a resident of Washburn County to join. It meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month.

Grieving a loss due to su***de is incredibly painful, and often is so different from other forms of grief.

This support group is led by someone who lost a loved one to su***de, and the group members are all incredible. They have met for coffee on the side and even marched in a su***de prevention walk.

Consider signing up here:
https://forms.gle/YjzGJpCKgz24k5X59

*please no 3rd party registrations

www.cambermentalhealth.org

Our grief group recently reflected on how difficult it is to hear the words of support from our loved ones that are made with the intention to help, but instead cause more pain.

Megan Devine in her book “It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok”, really nails it:

“Platitudes and cheerleading solve nothing. In fact, this kind of support only makes you feel like no one in the world understands. This isn’t a paper cut. It’s not a crisis of confidence. You didn’t need this thing to happen in order to know what’s important, to find your calling, or even to understand that you are, in fact, deeply loved.”

Grief groups, places where you can speak with others who have been through the same thing as you, places where people really get your pain, are truly important resources. If you have lost someone, consider reaching out to find a grief support group near you. And as always, we have a grief group here at The Creative Counseling Group every Tuesday.

Sand tray work!

This client explored what calm, safe spaces would look and feel like for them. What a beautiful way to explore what that can look like.

Not every therapy session has to be ‘talking’. There are so many different ways to express your feelings and share your thoughts aside from talking about them. Sand trays are such a beautiful way to explore your thoughts and emotions.