[Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash] “I feel melancholy sometimes, especially lately” said my friend as he leaned back in his chair. We were sitting in my backyard. The sun had just set and the sky had that lovely deep blue hue that appears for just a few brief moments as the day and…
mindfulness
Mindful Parenting
Many new parents and parents-to-be reflect on the question, “What type of parent do I want to be?” This question can seem so monumental and challenging to answer. This article offers a way to sort through how to arrive at answers. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help us in this exploration. The goal of…
How to Ground During Times of Uncertainty
During this uncertain time, it is inevitable that many of us are experiencing stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm. This stress can take a toll on the brain and the body. One way to work through these feelings of anxiety is to draw on grounding skills. Grounding skills can allow you to step away from…
Mindful Movement Exercises to Reduce Tension
If you, like many of us, have been finding yourself sitting more than usual or have been noticing some increased muscle tension or soreness, a little movement can be a lifesaver. The two brief practices below are designed to invite some mindful gentle movement and release tension. These practices are great for small spaces and…
Anxiety during the Pandemic: When to Seek Help?
Is it possible to not be anxious when the coronavirus pandemic threatens our lives, health, and economic wellbeing while disrupting routines and relationships in ways most people until now associated with science fiction movies? Experiencing restlessness, unease, and worry about what is to come is understandable in the light of the sudden loss of control,…
Mindfulness-Based Tools for Coping during Difficult Times
Mental health professionals often speak about mindfulness, or non-judgmental attention to the present-moment experience. I also like to think of mindfulness as an invitation to engage with ourselves and our environment just a bit differently from what might be our norm. Mindfulness is about cultivating awareness and welcoming the full range of what shows up…
Finding a Way out of Fight, Flight, and Freeze Response
Our bodies and minds are experiencing the current global crisis as a serious threat to survival and all that feels familiar and safe. Living in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze is exhausting. We must find ways to release this stress on a daily basis. Connect with friends and family, exercise, knit, scream…
Therapist Spotlight: Jennifer Piwnicki, MA, LPC, RYT
Jennifer a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bradley University and her Master’s degree in couple and family therapy from the University of Colorado Denver. Her personal and professional development emphasizes evidence- and systems-based therapies in the treatment of trauma, grief and loss, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety issues. Jennifer is also…
Therapist Spotlight: Rosa Figueroa, MA, LCPC
Rosalena (Rosa) is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Services, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adler University in Chicago. Prior to coming to Wildflower, Rosa was a clinical director at a rape crisis…
Why Mindfulness Matters in Relationship-Centered Care: Should You Care if Your Doctor or Therapist Meditates?
In all my years of supporting expectant parents as they navigate their pregnancy, birth and parenting, finding the right health care providers, the right therapists, the right doula has been front and center for them, and for those of us who are advocates. We’ve created guides and lists, and even healthcare personality quizzes to help…
