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Mental Health Topeka KS – Angela’s Blog

At Firm Foundations Counseling Inc., we make your safety our highest priority. During this pandemic environment, please allow extra time for therapist to clean and disinfect office space between counseling sessions. Face masks are required to wear in the building and in the waiting room. Firm Foundations Counseling Inc. is also providing HIPAA compliant tele-therapy (virtual) services for your convenience and safety. All of your information is kept 100% confidential. -Angela

Transitioning to Seeing Your Therapist Using Technology

Firm Foundations Counseling Inc.  has recently added teletherapy services to meet the mental health needs of clients. Teletherapy is a great alternative to the traditional face to face counseling session you might be used to. Telemental health services have been around for many years and have been gaining in popularity the past decade.   For busy schedules, the convenience of scheduling an online counseling session using secure video conference technology is a game changer.  Telemental health is effective and increases access to care without leaving your home.  In the current global pandemic environment and recent requirements for social distancing, the need for mental health services is more important than ever and teletherapy can provide a bridge between you and your therapist. I have teamed up with TheraNest, a respected mental health practice management system to offer a very convenient, HIPAA-Compliant teletherapy video platform to better serve you.    If you are interested in utilizing this service please contact me for more information.   Please take a look at the links provided below to learn more about TheraNest's HIPAA-Compliant Telehealth Platform.* Be aware  and avoid  providers offering teletherapy services that are non-secure and non-HIPAA compliant (Facebook Facetime,  Google Hangouts, Skype, etc) 

Clients: How to Prepare For Your First Telehealth Session

Thank you,

Angela

February is Eating Disorders Awareness Month. In a lot of ways, the traditional image of a woman in stock photos mirrors the common stereotype of a person with an eating disorder: young, slim, attractive, and white. However, we all know that those stock images don’t reflect the world around us, and yet most marketing and advertising relies on those images without any alternatives. *Learn More https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Feeling so sad that people continue to put so much time, energy, and effort into hurting others.

We have so much amazing beauty within people, our country, and our world, so let's start utilizing these blessings and gifts vs. destroying one another. If you are angry, depressed, resentful, stressed, internally-focused, resentful, feeling like hurting self or others, use that energy to be the change we want to see in others, seek help, OR if you are truly planning on doing harm, ONLY act on yourself, not others. We (general population and leaders) MUST focus on supporting one another, lifting ourselves and others up, providing needed education, mental health, addictions, and financial resources to EVERYONE vs. focusing on "protecting" only "certain" people, places, things, and/or "interests". Is this the type of world we envisioned for ourselves, our children, families, friends, and/or others? We should not be afraid to leave our homes for any reason. Our fellow man/woman should watch over our homes while we are away vs.or when struggles happen vs. rummaging through our homes, businesses, etc. We should grab a person's hand if he or she is going to fall vs. stepping on that person to get in front of him or her. Let's use our energy, time, and focus to be people of true character, i.e. respectful, honest, loyal, and authentic; be people who would not hurt someone just because he/she can. LET"S ALL BE THE CHANGE WE SO BADLY WANT TO SEE IN OTHERS. The only things we can control are ourselves, our thoughts, feelings, and actions!!!! So, control yourself please. I am praying for all those impacted by the turmoil in our country/world.

-Angela

Got them holiday blues? You're not alone. At Firm Foundations Counseling Inc. we know that the holiday season is a festive time for many, but also one of the most difficult times of the year for others.

Many people can experience feelings of anxiety or depression during the holiday season. People who already live with a mental health condition should take extra care to tend to their overall health and wellness during this time.  Extra stress, unrealistic expectations or even sentimental memories that accompany the season can be a catalyst for the holiday blues. Some can be at risk for feelings of loneliness, sadness, fatigue, tension and a sense of loss.  A lot of seasonal factors can trigger the holiday blues such as, less sunlight, changes in your diet or routine, alcohol at parties, over-commercialization or the inability to be with friends or family. These are all factors that can seriously affect your mood. There are several things you can do to help during the holiday season to help reduce the "blues".  Here are some simple tips that may help.  https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2015/Tips-for-Managing-the-Holiday-Blues

 

13-Humorous Mental Health Quotes

Those of us who suffer from a mood disorder know that this is a serious illness. Depression can rob us of our relationships, work, career, passions and most importantly our joy for living. Likewise, therapy, used to treat our depression is serious hard work. Our mental health and wellness is critical for us and for our family and friends. Yet in all this seriousness I think it is important that we sometimes take a step back and appreciate the humor in all this. Yes humor. Laughter can sometimes save us in our darkest moments. In fact some say that laughter can be the best medicine.  In this post I tried to find the most offbeat, humorous, and absurd quotes, jokes, and sayings about mental health. Enjoy!

How do you communicate rejection?

“I don’t want to date anymore.”
“We’ve decided not to hire you.”
“I’ve decided not to buy your product.”
“I don’t want to hang out with you any more.”
“I want a divorce.”
“You didn’t win the contract.”
“You didn’t get the grant.”

It can be hard to say "no". Here are nine useful tips written by Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D. which might help you through this sometimes difficult process.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ambigamy/201512/how-say-no-compassionately

How to Say No Compassionately

Angela

Mindfulness is a practice that can help you in all aspects of your daily life.

Start appreciating life for what it is and what you have, instead of focusing on what you do not have or the changes you want to make. You may want to join a mindful meditation group to learn more about mindfulness, but in the meantime, consider trying one or all of these steps as a healthy start.

2 minute read by By Richard Taite