Peaceful Path Counseling, LLC

07/17/2022

Today is a historical day for su***de prevention and mental health in the U.S.! The National Su***de Prevention Lifeline, now known as the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, can be more easily reached by calling or texting 988, or chatting on 988lifeline.org.

988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You do not have to be suicidal to reach out. Our trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.

We're so grateful to SAMHSA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Communications Commission, and our other su***de prevention and mental health partners in the field for working together to get us here, and we look forward to growing and expanding our services and supports in the years to come.

04/17/2022

Peaceful Path Counseling is 10 years old!

09/01/2021

The Lord knows every single tear that falls. But a day is coming when He will wipe away every tear.

05/10/2021

Mother's Day was yesterday. While it is a joyous occasion, it can be painful for women who have lost a child or their own mother. But there is a group of women whose loss often goes unrecognized, those who cannot have children. These women often feel deep pain knowing that they will never be mothers. They have lost dreams, feel different from everyone else, feel like they are not women, feel betrayed by their bodies, feel immense guilt for not being able to give their husbands children or their parents grandchildren, are fearful of aging and being alone, and have a hard time making friends because friends their age have children and want to talk about children.

It is a complex loss, that can feel like a death. They often just want to belong, and may look for ways to find comfort and healing. But there is hope, they can find peace and contentment. They can live each day, grateful for their many blessings. But again, that does not make Mother's Day any less painful. So if you know someone who cannot have children, appreciate her for the pet she cares for, the other person's child she loves, the neighbor she checks on, the people at her job she serves, or the husband she is devoted to. Being a mother can look like different things.

Amy Kay, LPC

01/01/2020

Happy New Year!

Peaceful Path Counseling would like to wish you a very happy New Year. May we focus more on God and who He is, instead of our circumstances. May we slow down and see our blessings, instead of our losses.

06/01/2019

Every relationship experiences ups and downs, but any relationship can be successful, as long as there is commitment and communication.

Did you know that June is when the most weddings take place?

When I work with couples (dating, engaged, or married) I have them think of 3 needs they each have for the relationship to be successful. These needs can be what they want for themselves, for the other person, or for the relationship in general. We then see if each need can be met, and assignments are given accordingly.

After analyzing the needs of the relationship, we look at 5 things they each think are going well. It is equally important to focus on the strengths of the relationship. We tend to voice our concerns about what is wrong, but do not take the time to voice what we appreciate. I liken it to working for a boss who only points out what needs improvement, and never points out what you are doing right.

Couples counseling does not have to be a long process. Sometimes you just need someone neutral to foster communication, give you the tools you need, and then serve as an accountability partner. Often times, couples only need to see me a few times, and then as needed. After all, the goal of counseling should be to get out and live life together, not to be stuck in a Counselor's office.

Amy Kay, LPC

03/01/2019

Each day is a new day.

12/01/2018

As we enter the busy holiday season, and then a new year, it is important we have obtainable goals. Often times, we set ourselves up for failure by having unrealistic expectations. Less truly is more, and something is better than nothing. So if you have a to do list, or things you hope to accomplish, make sure it leaves time to take in the moment. Make sure it leaves time to enjoy the little things in life.

Any Kay, LPC

06/01/2018

As summer quickly approaches, take time to slow down. Most of us live life over-booked and over-scheduled. This robs us of joy and peace. What can you take off your plate? Can you leave one day of the week for fun? Taking time to rest does not mean you are lazy. On the contrary, we all need to know how to be still. We all need to relax, rejuvenate, and take in the moment. I always say, less truly is more.

Amy Kay, LPC

01/01/2018

Peaceful Path Counseling would like to wish you a very happy New Year. May we focus more on God and who He is, instead of our circumstances. May we slow down and see our blessings, instead of our losses.

10/02/2017

The holiday season is quickly approaching. With it can come the holiday blues, especially if we have lost someone. While grief is different for everyone, we all experience the same things. It can help to understand what we are experiencing. To combat the holiday blues, take time to slow down and enjoy the moment.

April showers bring May flowers. This saying reminds me of the greif we all experience at some point in our lives. As bad as things may seem, there is always hope. Things do get better. Flowers do bloom afterwards. After all, it is the rains that makes us grow.

Grief is what happens when we experience a loss, and every loss matters. A loss is any change in our lives. This change can be expected or unexpected, wanted or unwanted. Some examples of this are moving, changing jobs, divorce, illness, the loss of a pet, or the death of a loved one.

The stages of grief are the different emotions we experience after a loss. They can come and go, and can come out of nowhere. Grief is different for everyone, yet we all experience the same things. I have added to Kubler-Ross's 5 stages of grief, based upon my own work with grief over the years:

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Guilt
• Fear
• Depression
• Acceptance
• Hope

There are different things we can do to heal from the hurt we feel. In time, we can feel better:

• Know that you are normal and are not alone
• Let yourself feel whatever you feel
• Talk about what has happened
• Acknowledge the changes in your life
• Get involved in something you like
• Do not give up hope for the future
• Acknowledge your many blessings
• Give yourself plenty of time to heal, as the first calendar year can be the hardest
• Know that you will feel better in time
• Know that feeling better does not mean forgetting

If you are struggling with a loss, no matter how big or how small it may seem, or how recent or how long ago it was, we can help. We truly care, and know that every loss matters.

Amy Kay, LPC