Resilient Minds Counseling

Today is National Grief Awareness Day. I believe everyone's grief deserves a space where they can find belonging and be accepted for themselves and their story. The deepest way to support grief is by listening, and creating a space for those to belong as they navigate the depth and complexities of their stories.

Together let's support grief through listening and coming together.

Hi! I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself. I am Stephanie Heitkemper, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, FT. I own Resilient Minds Counseling which specializes in Grief & Trauma support for children and adults. I am licensed in Colorado and Texas. My main modality for Trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to counseling support I provide consultation for EMDR and Play Therapy for therapist looking to deepen their knowledge of the modalities. I thoroughly enjoy creating and sharing presentations around children’s grief, trauma, EMDR, and facilitation for peer based programs. Outside of the office I love to travel, participate in early morning CrossFit, drink coffee and explore with husband & Boxer named Frank.

"Grief and resilience live together."- Former First Lady Michelle Obama

Journal Inspiration: What do you consider your resilience to be? How do your grief and resilience live together? What do you do when one (either resilience or grief) feel off balanced?

It’s early, cool and already busy here in Colorado! Twenty days till .foundation Camp Erin NYC!! Preparing our welcome snail mail and flags for campers & their families! See you all soon!
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After a great morning of 5x5 backsquats ,I am excited to read “Lifting Heavy Things” by . I am personally grateful for the ability to lift heavy things as part of my self-care and community care.

Thank you for this birthday gift 🏋🏼‍♀️♥️

"In grief we need to take time to mourn the life were supposed to have."- David Kessler

Journal Inspiration: What did you want your life to look like? What do you wish you said out loud regarding your life? What would message do you want others to about your wishes for your life?

Grateful for yesterday’s dream session with ! My heart is bursting with creative ideas, inspiration, numbers, energy and goals with rolling momentum. Wishing you and your communities a healthy, safe and happy Fourth of July week. ♥️

P.S. I still love you

Journal Inspiration: Write a letter to the person who died about today. What do you want your "post script" aka "P.S" to be?

Sometimes I wonder if the title Play Therapist encourages creative expression or if I naturally would have had these ideas. In any event grateful for . I can’t wait to experience these items transformed in our presentation at the symposium H6: Unlocking Resilience: Building Connections and Healing with LEGO Play.

It’s early mornings like today that I wish I had a secret superpower..

If I had a superpower it would be to tell that little girl who moved constantly and worried about finding future friends that in the end she’d be okay. She’d find the friends and ultimately keep them forever, her friends would understand life’s movement and worries.

I don’t remember anyone telling me in those moments that actually I was creating a superpower. A superpower to help connect others. A superpower that works to transform any space into a brave space. A superpower to listen so children and teens can hear their bodies.

I am honored to be flying home to this weekend to support group 2 . There will always be a soft space for yesterday, today and tomorrow’s military children. I know first hand it isn’t always easy.

"I know a heart that's broke is a heart thats been loved." Ed Sheeran

Journal Inspiration: Describe your heart. What love has impacted your heart? How do you hold the paradox of complete and broken (as it pertains to your heart)?

I had the pleasure of previewing this book a few months ago. I have loved it since the moment I read it. Memorialization can be a struggle for children (and adults). This book grants gentle permission to carry and honor the person with you throughout the days. My favorite quote “Some days, I’ll think about the things you never got to do. I’ll do them for you. The people you never met. I’d tell them of you. “

If you’re looking for a new book to add to your collection, a simple one to base groups off, or use with children & adults. I would recommend this new title!

Thank you Amanda for sharing in advance!

# childrengriefbooks

Join us NEXT Friday for the Private Practice Hub! This group meets to support and lift up those in Private Practice serving grieving children, teens and families. This will be the last online group before the summer break (June, July, & August).

Looking forward to connecting in person at the 27th NACG Symposium June 17-19, 2024.

Grateful for the opportunity to connect with loving, kind, intentional grandparents. Who want to help ensure their legacy exist for their grandchildren. Thank you Dr.Kerry Byrne for hosting me today!

"An experience of collective pain does not deliver us from grief or sadness; it is a ministry of presence. These moments remind us that we are not alone in our darkness and that our broken heart is connected to every heart that has known pain since the beginning of time.”- Brene Brown

Journal Inspiration: What moments remind you that you are not alone? What in the last month has left you feeling connected? How have you moved through darkness?

expression

Grief is universal, and expression is an individual experience. When supporting bereaved youth remember ask about the person who died, check in regarding school, ask how their bodies feel (think headaches, hungry, constipation etc.), listen twice as much as you talk, create time to memorialize (consider participating), talk! talk! talk! About the past, present & future. When you feel uncomfortable about a topic, this is often a subtle reminder it is important.

"Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people." – Steve Jobs

I am grateful for the collaboration with Julie from Denver Metro Counseling and Tattered Cover Book Store.

Come Join Julie & I tonight at Tattered Cover. Tattered Cover book store is committed to Mental Health Conversations. This month we explore how to further support Neurodiversity.

# resilientmindscounseling

Resilient Minds Counseling is a proud member of the National Alliance of Children’s Grief (NACG). Stephanie was first introduced to NACG while working at Jessica’s House, in 2012. The webinars were the first introduction to a supportive, collaborative community. The second Friday of every month Stephanie host the Private Practice Discussion Hub. The Private Practice Discussion Hub is designed to bring clinicians together who are supporting grieving children and teens together.

Resilient Minds Counseling is part of the following professional organizations: ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling), APT (Association for Play Therapy), EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) & NACG (National Alliance for Children’s Grief). Professional organizations provide education, networking, current trends, and community.

Resilient Minds Counseling uses some of the following approaches: Person Centered, Play Therapy, SMART approach and EMDR.

Resilient Minds Counseling offers the following in person or virtually: individual counseling, community collaboration, professional presentations, program development, EMDR consultations and Play Therapy Supervision.

Now accepting new clients & programs.

, EMDR

Did you know that children set us up to feel their emotions? Consider RAIN, FITS, LOVE, and SPICE to help you support navigating their needs.

"To avoid sadness is to also avoid love." - Imelda (Good Grief -Movie- 2023)

Journal Inspiration/ Prompt: How do you avoid sadness? How does it impact the love in your life? What can help you reduce avoiding sadness?

quotes expression

Mark your Calendar for next Friday, March 8th @ 12 pm est. for the NACG member Private Practice discussion hub call! Come connect with others serving grieving children and their families in private practice.

Register today to for " Cultivating Inclusivity for Children and All Abilities in Funeral Planning" hosted by the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG).

This interactive presentation will be presented in collaboration with my dad Jack Lechner, is the President and CEO of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Together we will share our knowledge and experience around funeral planning.

Register Here: https://ow.ly/espW50QzWxi

Photo Information: 1987 with Vanguard the dog in Germany

Next week (02.22.24) at Tattered Cover Book Store & Cafe, I will be participating in a new Mental Health Series. February's topic is Grief and Loss for children and teens. This event will include a small presentation around how to support children and teens as they navigate grief, resources, and Q& A.

To register visit: https://ow.ly/kNkM50QzWnn

Event Information: https://www.tatteredcover.com/events/mental-health-series-colfax