Brittany Salling, Marriage and Family Therapist

Winter can be so many things. It can be a refreshing reset with restorative cozy care… or it can be harsh and cold and overwhelming. It depends on one’s resources, tools and life circumstances. If winter is a time of hardship take a moment to reach out to someone you trust and find hope by creating a plan for the reset. One thing we know for certain, after winter, spring always follows. Sending love to all but especially those who struggle during the winter season. Hang in there, spring is coming.

I was out of the office all week enjoying some quality family time and quality time with my husband (thank you kids club!) Ready to come back with a full cup to ensure I’m the absolute best therapist I can be to my incredible clients!

Which one of these will you commit more to? Let’s celebrate you too, which one are you best at?

It’s September first which means fall decor is popping up everywhere, pumpkin spice becomes a word we constantly hear and depending on where you live, the leaves begin the yearly transition.
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Unless you live in Orange County where I practice… if that’s the case it has never felt more like summer! It was over 90 degrees at the beach yesterday!
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What I like about fall is the invitation to slow down. The cozy vibes and the time of year that is all about community and traditions.
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What is your favorite thing about fall? Make sure you are taking time to enjoy the parts that you live most!

Going into the weekend with the best intentions to make this happen! Will you try to join me?

I am passionate about perinatal mental health and that includes infertility. I am honored to walk along side women who struggle with fertility. I have had immense clinical training in the area but I also have life experience as I have walked that journey myself. I have included a few pictures from my personal journey. Today that once sweet little embryo lost his second tooth! I’m grateful to modern science for my clients and myself. Happy world IVF day! 🤍🤍🤍

This is huge and I hope it helps many. Now I’m darkest hours no one has to look up a number. Memorize this, 988, that’s it! Dial that be be connected to someone who can help. You matter, your life matters! 🤍🤍🤍

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, but extra love to those breaking generational trauma and being the dad no one taught them to be. We see you and celebrate you!

The last 6 weeks of my life I had to show up for those most important in my life, my family and my clients. I did my best to keep up with my doctoral degree work as well… everything else, was moved to the back burner. Everything that was a plastic ball was dropped so I could juggle those glass balls.
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I don’t remember where exactly I heard about glass balls the first time but it has been credited to multiple individuals claiming the idea is theirs. You see, we all have glass balls in life and those glass balls are precious. We protect our glass balls at all costs because they are the areas that would be devastating if they broke. These last few weeks one of my glass balls was in jeopardy and in order to protect all my glass balls, I suddenly dropped all my plastic balls. Plastic balls are things that either aren’t that important, or that we know we know could bounce and be okay so we can pick them back up when we are capable of juggling more. Friends are very important to me and I value those I call friends so much but they are plastic balls. Why would something I value and are so important to me be plastic? Because I know they will bounce. I have enough security in my friendships that I know they won’t shatter because I dropped them for a little while.
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My glass ball is not in crisis anymore and I am slowly able to pick up my plastic balls, such as this page. Thank you to those that stuck around while my Instagram was “on the floor.” I can’t promise you content all the time, but I can promise I will do my best to deliver mental health content that educates and inspires.
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Do you know what your glass balls are? Can you safely juggle them all? Do you know what your plastic balls are? Can you drop them to protect a glass one?

A Mothers Day Poem

To those who gave birth this year to their first child
-we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year
- we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day
and wear the badge of food stains
- we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss this year through
miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away
-we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with
pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment
- we walk with you.
Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don't mean to
make this harder than it is.
To those who are step moms, foster moms, mentor moms,
and spiritual moms
- we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your
children
- we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance
with your children
- we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year
- we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own
mother
- we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and
the overall testing of motherhood
- we are better for having you in our midst
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year
- we grieve and rejoice with you
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected
and surprising
-we anticipate with you
This Mother's Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the
faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We
remember you.
May God bless you and yours this Mother's Day.
~Author Unknown

There are many mamas, and parents, who don’t have a baby earthside and there are many mamas who have a child earthside but mourn their children who never made it earthside, or left far too early. Today is their day. We see you, we honor you and we love you.

Want to know when I celebrate on the inside as a therapist? When my clients start to recognize their trauma responses… when I am able to “flip the switch” and help them make that light bulb moment discovery that their response to something is rooted in trauma. From this realization we can uncover not only healing but help to start to make this changes that can create an even more beautiful life!

Strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. -Ada Love lace (1815-1852)

Mental health is so so very important. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Those who struggle with their mental health are so aware of what a struggle it can be. Those who do not struggle are privileged to not have to experience why mental health is so important. Mental health is health, !

Let’s talk about resolutions you should be making. Resolutions are hard to keep… especially if they are super restrictive (ie I am going to work out every day or eat clean 6 days a week…) Restrictive resolutions aren’t impossible but they rarely work. Pick an area of your life you want to improve and set a non-restrictive resolution. Maybe it’s I want to feel more fulfilled so then make an effort in the new year to do things that fulfill you like spending time with people that positive influence and making an effort to do things that make you fell that way. Hold yourself accountable by picking a few dates in your calendar, maybe put reminders on some of the weeks or or moths to add activities and people to your schedule that will you up. The best investment you can make is in yourself!
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Of the areas above, which is the one you want to focus on?
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It’s hard for me to pick just one, but I am hoping to spend more time with those people that fulfill me and are positive influences this year!

That’s a wrap on clients for 2021. I am actually taking the entire last week of the year off, it’s my first week off all year. I like to use the time at the end of the year to reflect on the year I’ve had. 2021 was a full year of being a therapist in a global pandemic with a mental health crisis. Despite the craziness of world this year, it was an absolute honor to walk with so many in their healing journeys. This was a crazy year to be a trauma therapist but I am so profoundly glad that I am. I am so profoundly grateful to the clients who trusted me. It was an absolute honor and joy to witness the transformation of so many. If you are reading this and have trauma from childhood, a relationship or life in general, I urge you to reach out to a therapist. I have seen lives change in the most beautiful ways. My wish in the new year is collective healing for all but also individual healing for all those who need it. It’s my deep desire that mental health care becomes accessible and that mental health is recognized as a true need as much as physical health. I’m looking forward to 2022, I don’t know what the year will hold but I do know I will be blessed and honored to walk the healing journey with those that trust me. Watching that transformation is a miracle each and every time, I can’t wait for more. Wishing many blessing and health for all. Merry Christmas Eve.

Sending love to those who might be struggling this holiday season. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to have years where you might not be feeling the holiday joy. Some years are harder than others and my wish for you is that you can find small pockets of joy and your spirits are lifted in the new year. If you are struggling, therapy helps. Find a therapist that is a great fit for you, it can make a world of difference. Sending love to all and wishes for small pockets of joy to those who are struggling this year.

Be present, it’s a gift to everyone around you.
stigma

Today is , giving Tuesday tends to be structured around giving financial gifts to charities. Giving to charities you are passionate about is always a great thing to do but not always possible. There are so many ways to give that don’t cost a penny. In fact, the one resource in life we can’t get more of is time. Volunteer or even just give your time to those who mean a lot to you. Celebrate and love those who are important in your life well. The other great thing about giving? Those who give report high levels of satisfaction, usually even higher then the receiver. Who can you call or give time to today?

I know it’s cliche but can you tell me something you are grateful for in the comments? Let’s create an online gratitude journal. It can simply be a word but I would love if you told me one (or more if you want to!) thing you are grateful for today. No matter how hard life gets there is always one thing… and sometimes we need to remember that one thing to get us through a hard season. Wishing you all a wonderful thanksgiving.

Disconnect to connect with those around you...

Today I’m taking all veterans for their sacrifices they have made. I’m thankful for each and everyone but especially mine, today is my husbands fifth Veterans Day as a Veteran. The second photo is our first born who was small enough to fit in his daddies pocket once upon a time back before my husband was a veteran. I hope you all enjoy you day but also remember the significance of why we have this day, thank a veteran! .

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Who says Halloween needs to stop when you grow up?! Honestly anyone who comes to my house in a costume will get candy! After the last year and a half I think a lot of people are realizing how important simple joys are.
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Let your inner child have fun this weekend!! Put on a simple (or elaborate costume), get together with some friends and enjoy a bit of chocolate.
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This weekend our family has a movie outside planned (California luxuries), cookie decorating, trick or treating and some time with friends. Do you have anything for your inner child planned this weekend?

What is seasonal depression? Sometimes known as seasonal affective disorder is a depressive disorder that effects individuals when there is less sunlight, typically in the fall and winter months exclusively.
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It is more than just feeling blue, it can often be extremely distressing and can interfere with daily functioning. It has been linked to a biochemical imbalance that occurs when the days get shorter and there is less sunlight. It is more common the further one gets away from the equator, thus the shorter amount of day light hours in your location the more common it is. It also effects more women than men.  
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How can you treat seasonal depression? There are a few options one can try. Obviously there are medications that have been proven effective. Medication is not the only option though. Talk therapy can help but another great option that you can do on its own or in connection with others is light therapy. Light therapy is done by sitting in front of a light therapy box which emits a bright light. It is considered best practice to do it every day in the morning for 20 minutes. Usually symptoms improve after two weeks and this should be done through the winter.  

It's October first and I am ready for all things COZY! If you have been to my office you already know I love a cozy atmosphere. I believe we should feel safe while being asked to be vulnerable in therapy. If I am being honest, it brings me joy too! Something about calm music, a lovely candle, a comfortable chair and a blanket at the ready just feels so inviting and calm!
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What are you most excited for for fall?

🎵 Im running low on Serotonin, chemical imbalance got me twisting things.  🎵
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So what is Serotonin? Serotonin is the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. This hormone impacts your entire body. It enables brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with each other. Serotonin also helps with sleeping, eating, and digestion.
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How do you increase Serotonin? Of course there is medication, SSRIs are designed to increase Serotonin in the brain and are often prescribed for depression. If you want to try some natural ways here are 3 suggestions…
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Exercising regularly. 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 3 times a week has been proven to improve Serotonin levels.   
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Food high in tryptophan such as salmon, eggs, poultry, soy, and spinach.
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Get more natural light, a little vitamin D (with sunscreen) can do you wonders! If you live in an area or have a job that might make getting natural light difficult the next best thing is a special natural light.  

Consider this your Monday motivation. Life isn't a race. It's best to go at your own pace and not compare your speed to anyone else's.
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You do still need to take those steps though so one foot in front of the other, let's go!
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I can't wait to celebrate your success! What are you working towards?

Are you free tomorrow and want to come to a totally free parenting seminar with childcare? I will be speaking on pandemic parenting, “Still Parenting In a Pandemic: Where Do We Go From Here?” I will be speaking on ways our kids may be reacting to the last year and half and some useful tips that may help.
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Feel free to sign up here: https://my.fcchb.com/page/644?EventOccurrenceId=263
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I hope to see you there! Feel free to share

Hi 👋 I took a few days off from instragram which turned into a few weeks and now I honestly don’t remember when I last posted. Summer was ending, work was busy and I honestly my focus was pulled away. Life is all about seasons and I think I subconsciously wanted to enjoy the last little burst of summer before fall starts to set in with back to school. As of yesterday, all 3 of my kids are back in school. My baby started preschool I’ve entered a new phase of motherhood. I appreciate everyone who sees the value in my content and I appreciate you presence in my little space. 🌊
So tell me, are you excited for fall 🍂 or are you wishing we could squeeze a bit more out of summer? 🌞