Bankston Counseling Services

Quick self-care tips from your favorite neighborhood therapist.
1. Get outside & touch grass
2. Try to be where your feet are
3. Don’t forget to look up and
4. Ask for help

It was a perfect morning to kick off my Walk & Talk sessions season today 🙌 🥰☀️🌱

Happy Self-Care Sunday! It's that time of year when I get to remind clients (and inform potential clients) that Walk & Talk sessions are now available since you cannot tell me it's too cold for awhile!🙃These sessions combine psychotherapy and walking. They are my fave!

Why choose a Walk & Talk session? Well, because it helps:
Boost your mood
Decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms
Improve sleep patterns
Practice mindfulness & grounding
Increase your physical activity
Improve focus & fatigue
Connect with nature, outdoors
Connect with me in-person
Enjoy our warmer seasons

These sessions are for you if:
You have been feeling stuck
You have been feeling anxious or depressed
You are working through a difficult life transition
You enjoy nature & outdoors
You feel comfortable walking & talking side-by-side vs. face-to-face
You want to be more active, but at a relaxed pace
You feel a lot of energy (or anxiety) in your body during traditional sessions
You want to try a different modality for your treatment

Ready to get moving? Come walk with me! Walk & Talk sessions begin in July. Email [email protected] to get scheduled. I have 2 spots available for new clients.

Be well,
Erica 🌱☀️💜
*my Walk & Talk sessions are located in Central Ohio

Can’t wait to see it!

The 'Inside Out' movies give kids an 'emotional vocabulary.' Therapists love that Pixar's Inside Out was praised for helping kids understand how emotions affect their actions. Adults learned a few things too. The sequel's new characters include Anxiety, Embarrassment and Ennui.

Now scheduling for June! If you're living in OH or FL and need counseling support, I'm here to help! Get scheduled here: https://headway.co/providers/erica-bankston OR
https://growtherapy.com/provider/nohhio2td8a7/erica-m-bankston

It's official! I completed this training this week and am now a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional 🤩🥳I've learned so much about trauma over the years, but this was my favorite training (so far)! I'm excited to add what I learned to my trauma work toolbox

https://cdn.pesi23.com/images/YnHs5W4WREGk7AfrNSO_AQ.png

Wonderful news and so fitting that it’s Mental Health Awareness Month!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

NASW Ohio is thrilled to announce that Ohio has officially joined the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact! Thank you to all our NASW Ohio members for being a vital part of making this happen, and to all those who made calls, wrote emails, and advocated!

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The Social Work Licensure Compact has been enacted in over seven states and has thus reached activation status, however multistate licenses are not yet being issued. The implementation process for the compact will take 12 to 24 months before multistate licenses are able to issued. Learn more at https://swcompact.org/. NASW Ohio will be here to keep you in the know about what this process could mean for you!

Now scheduling for May! If you're living in OH or FL and need counseling support, I'm here to help! Get scheduled here: https://headway.co/providers/erica-bankston?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=44546

📢Let's Talk About Boundaries -

📢Let's Talk About Boundaries I talk about Self-Care, like a lot! Many of you have at least a basic of idea of how to practice self-care. You may even know what self-care activities work best for you. However, what I hear almost every week is:

“The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.”
Max Lucado💜

With a shaky voice, uncertain steps, & a wavering faith, I started an online counseling service 4 years ago.

And then the world shut down.

It was a bittersweet experience. Though people always have (and always will) hurt, the pandemic definitely helped my business (and faith) grow.

I cannot thank God enough for His faithfulness.

God nudged. I ignored. He pursued. I hid. He pushed. I pulled. Can anyone relate??☺️

I’m thankful for the people that I have had the pleasure to serve and the purpose He created and held for me, despite my resistance.

4 years! I’m listening, God. No ignoring, hiding, or pulling. I’m happy to help and still dreaming up ways to support others.

I took time off from groups & events to rest my introvert soul, but I’m planning some events for this summer & fall.

If you’re interested in future mental health and self-care support groups & events, join my email list to stay in the loop: https://mailchi.mp/bankstoncounseling/join-the-self-care-club-email-list

Need individual counseling support and live in OH or FL? I’m scheduling for May. You can join the waitlist by emailing [email protected]

Be well,
Erica

📸: Em Christine Photos

Hello to Spring and You! 🌸 -

Hello to Spring and You! 🌸 How ya been? I know I have been absent for awhile so I wanted to pop in your email inbox with an update. Many Self-Care Clubbers have been reaching out to see if we’re having Self-Care Day this year. The answer is no.

Happy Spring! 🌷Is it time to refresh your Self-Care routine?

5 Spring Self-Care Practices Is your self-care routine season appropriate? Experts suggest taking advantage of longer days and warmer temperatures with these tips.

Self-Care does not mean my focus is on "me only" or "me first." I'm just making sure I take care of "me too."💜

I’m a proud member of Open Path because I believe in making mental health services accessible. Sharing for those who don’t know there is help available even if you’re uninsured or underinsured.

High-Quality Therapy You Can Count On - Join Today! Our nonprofit serves clients in financial need who are seeking affordable therapy. Open Path clients cannot afford market rates for therapy, lack adequate mental health insurance coverage, and have an annual household income below $100,000.

You can’t heal what you don’t reveal💜

Your purpose is greater than your grief💜

You deserve some rest.💜✨

Encourage Your Mind to Come to Rest Why you must take a moment to relax.

Expressing empathy is so important in relationships 💜✨

9 phrases to express empathy without saying “sorry” There's a distinct line between expressing empathy and mindlessly uttering apologies.

Hey there! I thought it would be a good idea to give the new followers a quick counselor intro! Thanks for being here btw!

I'm Erica, the Clinical Social Worker & Therapist behind Bankston Counseling Services! My style is empathetic, warm, and solution-focused. I've always been called Mama Bear among family & friends. This part of me definitely shows up with counseling clients. I give honest feedback and advice (with love, like a Mama should).

My current focus has been supporting adults who are coping with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, life transitions, and parenting challenges. All of my sessions are held online via secure video. I am able to support clients in Ohio & Florida.

To schedule your first session, visit www.bankstoncounseling.com/contact or email [email protected].

Note to self: Hope is a decision. 💜✨

Sleep is so important for your mental health and overall wellness. Here are some great tips to help you catch your zzzzz's😴😴

Gentle reminders:

Practice positive self-talk.

Breathe.

Drink some water.

Relax your shoulders. While you’re there, relax your jawline and eyebrows too.

You got this. Make it a great day 💜✨

Call now to connect with business.

✨New Year, Better You!
Book your online counseling session today.⭐️
www.bankstoncounseling.com/contact