The Convenient Counselor

How can you establish a connection with a group of people? Why is being a part of a community important? Sometimes we hear about someone's "tribe" and it strikes a note of jealousy in our hearts, because we long for that as well. This episode dives into all of this and more, with practical ways to actively pursue community right around you!

What is it like to live with depression? What if you could peek into the mind of someone who has/is dealing with this very common mental health issue? This episode gives a glimpse into Briana's personal experience with depression, what a typical day can look like for someone struggling with depression, and how to support a loved one you might have dealing with this issue as well!

It's pretty obvious how important self-care is for our overall health. But have you created a "menu" of options that is fully customized to what works for YOU? Learn about creating a self-care menu and how small, medium, and large can all have an impact on your life!

Is there a difference between "self-care" and "self-help?" YES. Find out about these two commonly misunderstood mental health phrases, and why it's important to know the difference! Self-Care Episodes referenced: Episode 10 - Rethinking Self-Care Part 1 Episode 11 - Rethinking Self-Care Part 2 Episode 52 - Unconventional Self-Care

Finally!! I'm back and excited about returning to this podcast - with a new name! This episode helps explain why the name change was made, and also covers why change is important in your life...and what might be holding you back from making that change.

We often blaze through daily life, without much rest in sight - but do you know when you need to "pause" certain areas of your life? This episode focuses on this question, as well as offers three reasons for a pause. Also Briana announces some upcoming changes for the podcast!

Do you pay attention to how your environment affects you overall? Paying attention to the people, places, physical reactions, and beauty around you is crucial to your overall health. Learn more about this and ways to pay more attention in this episode!

Are you thinking about pursuing counseling but not sure where to start? Have you made your first appointment and now you are nervous about what to expect? This episode helps calm some of these very normal feelings, and offers insights into what to expect and look for as you begin your therapeutic journey!

Do you currently "prep" for upcoming stressful situations? We may not be able to control what is going on around us, but we can control how we react and prepare for those moments! Listen to this episode to learn three steps of creating a "stress plan," and deciding what you need to exit/enter in stressful seasons. Previous episodes about self-care referenced: Episodes 10 and 11...

Did you know that you brain registers every word that you speak? This directly impacts your overall well-being, whether your words are positive or negative. Learn a few simple swaps for things you might be saying to yourself everyday, and how this can "shift" the way you think about life.

What are our basic needs? Typically food, shelter, and water come to mind...which is correct. But there are three other basic needs that humans need to thrive, and often these can get overlooked or neglected. Learn more about these "other" three basic needs in this episode.

Sure, most people think of massages, bubble baths, and even sleep when they think of self-care. But this episode has some ideas of "unconventional" self-care practices (provided by Briana and listener submissions), and maybe there is a new one that would be a good fit for your life! Other episodes on "Re-thinking Self-Care" from this podcast: Episode 10: https://www.brianaleach...

In the first Q&A episode of Grace in Progress, Briana focuses on two questions: - How do I keep work stress at work, and not take it home with me? and - How do I share news or what's going on in the world with my children? Listen in to hear a counselor's perspective on these excellent questions!

What does a tater tot have to do with processing triggers in your life? Learn more about the TATER tool and the importance of slowing down to listen to your inner voice - it can change everything!

"I'M TRIGGERED." Do you know any of the emotional triggers in your life? How does your body react to triggers? Why does it even matter? Learn more about these questions in this episode, and start to evaluate the interactions in your daily life! Article referenced: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gen-y-psy/201810/how-spot-your-emotional-triggers

Do you have a dream, big or small, that has been on your heart for a while...but you just don't know where to start? Briana speaks a little bit about how she did "something small today" to pursue the dream of starting a podcast, and how you can apply that practice to the dream in your heart. This episode marks the one year anniversary of the Grace in Progress podcast!

Emotional awareness is essential to a child's overall well-being. Do the children in your life know how to name their emotions? Learn about the various stages of development, and specific ways to help kids in each one, including: - Birth to age 3 - Preschoolers - Elementary Age - Middle/High Schoolers The kids in your life deserve for you to be their "emotional coach," you might jus...

Do you have a "go to" motto for when a situation puts a strain on your mental health? Dive into four of Briana's most popular phrases/mottos in this episode, and add them to your emotional toolbox starting today!

In this episode, Briana talks about the top question she is asked as a counselor - "is this normal?" Plus learn more about a suggested alternative question and how it can alleviate some fears. 

Just like the title sounds, this short episode is a pep talk from Briana for you to visit and re-visit anytime you feel overwhelmed! We've all been there, and sometimes we just need to be cheered on a bit!

What kind of "deposits" are you making into your emotional bank? Are you making tiny deposits of shame? Learn more about this unhealthy habit (that we all do regularly), and how to combat it on a daily basis.

How do you connect with those in your life? Answering this question is the goal of this episode, and learning how the root of each relationship can impact you on a regular basis! Three main points: 1. The root of your relationship shapes your expectations 2. How you attract someone is how you keep them 3. Not every relationship needs to be profound References: Vital Friends book by Tom Rath https:...

Continuing from Episode 40 on the importance of how we begin and end our day, this episode presents 3 questions to ask at the end of your day, before you go to sleep. Gratitude, introspection, and kindness can help you wrap up each day, and you are worth taking the brief moments to put these questions into practice!

How do you start each day? In this episode, three questions to help begin your morning are presented - moments of gratitude, introspection, and kindness. Episodes referenced: https://www.brianaleach.com/post/episode-24-motivation-vs-momentum https://www.brianaleach.com/post/episode-9-say-the-nice-words

What do you love about yourself? What makes you unique? If the answers to those questions are not readily available, there might be some personal growth that needs to happen. Learn more about the importance of these positive revelations, as well as a framework to help makes this question easier to answer.