"'No' is a complete sentence" - Anne Lamont. Boundaries are all the rage these days. You might even call them “trending.” But setting effective boundaries that still honor your relationships is TOUGH. Boundaries aren’t cute or easy and they can call on us to dig into our deepest pain and break old people pleasing patterns … Continue reading What the hell are boundaries? Blog by Gwynaedd Howdyshell
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When it Comes to Nervous System Regulation, Prevention is Key
Lately, there has been a theme that has been coming up a lot with clients.. And that is the magic of PREVENTION-especially when it comes to regulating your nervous system. If Michael Jordan only shot basketballs during games, he wouldn’t be very successful, right? The same can be said for practicing nervous system regulation skills … Continue reading When it Comes to Nervous System Regulation, Prevention is Key
Surviving…no Thriving During the Holidays
The holidays bring about many emotions for us all, sometimes, there’s joy and gratitude but for some, it can be a traumatic time of the year, filled with grief and turmoil. Whether you’re planning to spend the holidays alone or with family members or friends in less desirable hometowns or vacations to Cabo – coping … Continue reading Surviving…no Thriving During the Holidays
What the Hell is “Self-Care” Anyway? by Gwynaedd Howdyshell
"Self-care" is promoted on the covers of magazines, in online advertisements, and all over social media. A common question I've been asked by clients and peers alike is, "what the hell is, is self-care"? Perhaps you have asked this same question or know you struggle with it. Maybe it feels like another thing on your … Continue reading What the Hell is “Self-Care” Anyway? by Gwynaedd Howdyshell
Why The Men In Our Lives Aren’t Sprinting to Therapy (Guest Blog by Gwynaedd Howdyshell)
I decided to ask an open question on my Instagram story to see why the men who followed me were afraid/reluctant to seek therapy. The responses surprised me in comparison to much of the research that I’ve come across. I noticed a lot of toxic masculinity was a common theme and shame was super prevalent. … Continue reading Why The Men In Our Lives Aren’t Sprinting to Therapy (Guest Blog by Gwynaedd Howdyshell)
Broken Rainbows: The Long Journey Towards Healing from Anti-Queerness
Happy Pride. Happy Pride y’all. Rainbows are flying, people are starting to be able to come together again to celebrate the many forms of queerness and Madonna, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga are bumping through the airwaves. To my beautiful LGBTQIA+ community, we make the world brighter, more colorful and more creative (try to imagine theater … Continue reading Broken Rainbows: The Long Journey Towards Healing from Anti-Queerness
Pulling Back The Veil
To our beautiful AVOS community, This is the time to be unequivocal. This is the time to pull back the veil on our blind spots and sit in discomfort. We at AVOS are committed to equity, inclusion, diversity and to practicing and becoming an Anti-racist organization. We cannot claim to be a trauma-informed practice without … Continue reading Pulling Back The Veil
7 Ways to Still Be a Badass Amidst COVID-19
REMEMBER THE GREATER GOOD- I hate to admit this, but my first thought when I started realizing this virus was a real concern was “OH NO!- the play I am directing at my son’s school will be canceled.” Then, I remembered that the greater good is more important than that. Remember that we are looking … Continue reading 7 Ways to Still Be a Badass Amidst COVID-19
Is it Love or is it Trauma? GUEST BLOG by KRISTEN MCGEEHON!
If you think about our Western culture, and its ideas about love - I mean really break down these ideas, you can see that our view of love is kind of f****ed up! Seriously. Think about your favorite movies that involve romance. How many of those romances involve a love that entails a slow burn, … Continue reading Is it Love or is it Trauma? GUEST BLOG by KRISTEN MCGEEHON!
When you Can’t Just Cut Toxic People From Your Life
https://youtu.be/2mZSS1zZthU I see so many posts and memes on “cutting all the toxic people out of your life.” While I am certainly a proponent of healthy boundaries and spending as much time as you can with people that champion you, lift you up and don’t suck every last bit of energy with their vampire ways, … Continue reading When you Can’t Just Cut Toxic People From Your Life
A.V.O.S. Counseling 