Author: Chanelle Spencer, LCSW
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Strategies for Managing the Loss of a Loved One
In the past 15 years or so I’ve had about 4 truly significant deaths in my family (or those I would consider like family). Every time I’ve experienced the loss of a loved one I’m grappled with questions like why them, why now, and why this way. I recognize that to some degree I will…
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Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul Through Journaling
I believe when most of us hear the word “diary” or “journal” we think about an emotional preteen/teen girl venting about her feelings and experiences in a book she keeps hidden from the rest of the world. As we’ve gotten older we now know that journals aren’t only for preteen girls. I hear some of…
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How Spring Cleaning Impacts Mental Health
Spring is in the air! As we start to get through the long dark nights, gloomy cold weather of winter – some of the symptoms of seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder) starts to lift – it’s always a pleasant feeling to know it comes to an end. To see the trees grow their leaves, the…
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The Value of Self-Love in Black History: Promoting Empowerment and Self-Care.
“Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.” – Janelle Monáe Self-love is a process of recognizing one’s own potential and worth, and accepting oneself fully, flaws and all. It is about taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs, as well as accepting and embracing who you are. It’s more than…
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Achieving Your Goals: Setting & Reaching Your Goals for Success
It’s that time of year again where we’re setting New Years’ resolutions, goal setting, setting intentions and turning a new leaf. While it’s admirable to have the desire to change things around for the new year it’s important to be mindful of how and why you make that change. Changing habits and routines may be…
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“Winter Blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Do you experience a change in mood during the shorter, gloomier winter days? This is colloquially called the “winter blues.” You might notice that you’re generally more depressed and lethargic during this time of the year. The winter blues may make you more unhappy than usual, but they usually won’t stop you from having fun.…
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Celebrate Yourself and Express Gratitude to Improve Your Quality of Life
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission. Thanks. When was the most recent time you paused, celebrated yourself, patted yourself on the back, and expressed gratitude? Far too many of us neglect to stop and appreciate ourselves, express gratitude, or think about…
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Anxiety as a Mental Health Problem
Anxiety is when you’re worried, tense, or afraid, particularly about things that are going to take place or that you think might happen in the future. Humans inherently have anxiety when they feel a sense of danger to their safety. It’s something that you can sense, think about, and experience.
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Adult Friendships & Mental Health
Do you have a friend with whom you can cry, laugh, and share your most private secrets? Or looking for a trusted friend to do life with? If yes to either of those questions, then you understand the importance of friendships. And you may have noticed that at some point in your life friendships were…
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Life Transitions & Changes
“Change is the only constant.” that’s what one of my high school teachers would say way too often during my high school years. *cue to my teenage self* Yes, I was rolling my eyes in class. As you could imagine, I didn’t like change, and I didn’t like hearing it was the only thing that…