Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness

09/06/2026

This is an incredibly important conversation—and one worth taking the time to watch.

Postpartum psychosis is not the same as postpartum depression. It is a psychiatric emergency that can cause hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, confusion, and a loss of touch with reality.

As both a mom and a therapist, I believe we need to talk about maternal mental health openly and without shame. When a mother’s words or behavior seem frightening or completely unlike her, we cannot assume she is simply overwhelmed. Take it seriously. Listen. Help her get immediate care.

Please watch and share this video. Greater awareness and early intervention can save lives.

If you believe someone may be experiencing postpartum psychosis or is in immediate danger, call 911 or take her to the nearest emergency room.

*** Talking about postpartum psychosis does not minimize the lives of children who have been harmed or lost, nor does it excuse the devastation left behind. We can grieve for the children and families while also recognizing the reality of severe maternal mental illness. Caring about mothers does not mean caring any less about their children. Both can be true.

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09/05/2026

Sometimes we find a mental health page because something we read feels like exactly what we needed that day. 🤍

I’ve noticed quite a few new people here lately, so I wanted to take a minute to say hello and welcome. I’m truly glad you’re here.🩷

I’m Maria, a therapist and the owner of Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness in downtown Frankfort. I spend my days sitting with women who are carrying more than most people realize, teens who are trying to find their way, and parents who love their children deeply but aren’t always sure how to help.

I know reaching out can feel like a big step. My hope is that this page feels like a place where you can find honest conversations, helpful information and a little encouragement when you need it most.

Thank you for following along and helping this little community grow. It truly means a lot to me. If you know someone who might feel at home here too, I’d love for you to invite them. 💗

findinghappinesswithin.org

09/03/2026

There are no words for what happened in our community Tuesday. As a mom and a therapist, my heart is broken for everyone involved.💔

If you are struggling, don’t feel like yourself or are having thoughts that scare you, please reach out. You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable.

We need to look out for one another. We need to make it okay to say, “I’m not okay.” 🤍

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

*988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

*National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for free, confidential support 24/7.

*Postpartum Support International HelpLine
Call 1-800-944-4773 or text HELP to 800-944-4773 for support and resources. **This is not an emergency or crisis line.

Maria Bullion, MSW, LCSW
Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness
www.findinghappinesswithin.org

08/26/2026

I really like this. ❤️

Sometimes with teens, it’s not even what we’re saying — it’s the way it comes out in the moment.

Teens are still learning how to handle big feelings and hard moments. And even when they act like they don’t care what we think, they’re still watching how we respond.

Staying calm doesn’t mean letting disrespect slide or having no boundaries. It means showing them that we can be firm, stay connected, and not let one hard moment turn into a huge blowup.

And yes… that is much easier said than done when you’ve already asked them the same thing 12 times. 😅

But sometimes a few small shifts in how we respond can completely change the tone of the conversation.

This is also one of the things I work on with parents and teens in therapy — helping families communicate in a way that feels calmer, more connected, and a little less exhausting for everyone. 💗

Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness
findinghappinesswithin.org

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07/22/2026

Back-to-school season isn’t just about supplies and schedules.📅📚

A lot of teens are already starting to feel the pressure of what’s coming, even if they aren’t saying much about it. This was a really good read, and a helpful reminder as the school year gets closer.

https://raisingteenstoday.com/what-your-teen-desperately-wants-you-to-know-before-school-starts/?fbclid=IwZnRzaATJGNpwZG9mBWZkaWQWUK0v5tNZFLqrfEGOGvUC4x0RhMTS_WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7W3rBCQEM2oATbEUR_wsGfjDrX9AWCFFvg99OdfP98TTaqRk7HAryLc3AE7w_aem_67yjDUP21ZYp2vfkOc_CtA

School can be really stressful and hard for teens. Here are 15 things your teen desperately wants you to know before school starts.

07/13/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about therapy is that you need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from it.

The truth is, sometimes life is just hard.😢

Maybe you’re overwhelmed or carrying the mental load for everyone else. Maybe you’re going through a difficult season, struggling with family or relationships, or worried about your teen. Or maybe you’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else that you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way.

You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart to ask for support.

My practice is private pay, which means I don’t bill insurance. Because of that, I don’t need to assign a mental health diagnosis simply so insurance will cover your sessions. You can come to therapy because something in your life feels hard, you want support working through it, or you’re simply ready for something to change.

Hi, I’m Maria, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness in downtown Frankfort. I work with women and teens and also offer parenting consultations.

If you’ve been thinking about therapy but weren’t sure if what you’re going through is “serious enough,” I’d be happy to connect and see if I might be a good fit for you or someone you care about. ❤️

Maria Bullion, LCSW provides therapy for women and teens in Frankfort, IL, with support for motherhood and the mental load, pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, anxiety, life transitions and teen mental health.

07/12/2026

Looking for something meaningful to share with your teen this summer? 🩷 I came across this list of TED Talks for teens and tweens and thought it was worth sharing! There are some great topics here—from stress and the teenage brain to confidence, growth mindset, procrastination, and figuring out who you are.

As a local therapist who works with teens, I love finding resources that can help parents connect with their kids in ways that feel natural—not forced. Sometimes hearing a message from someone other than a parent can open the door to some really great conversations. 🩷

Parents of teens—are there any TED Talks your teen has loved?

Findinghappinesswithin.org
708-809-2524

https://parentingteensandtweens.com/ted-talks-for-teens/

Having a hard time getting through to your teen? Ted Talks for teens can teach important life lessons and understand the world around them.

07/06/2026

One of the hardest parts of parenting a teenager is wondering… “Is this just being a teen, or is something more going on?”🤔

Maybe they’re spending more time in their room. They seem more irritable. Conversations that used to come easily now end with, “I’m fine.”

As a parent, it’s hard to know when to give them space and when to lean in.

The truth is, not every teen who is struggling looks like they’re falling apart. Many continue to get good grades, play sports, hang out with friends, and smile when they’re around other people. Yet inside, they may be carrying anxiety, sadness, self-doubt, or pressure that feels too heavy to carry alone.

Sometimes the signs are quiet:
• They become unusually hard on themselves.
• They worry about disappointing others.
• They seem overwhelmed by things that didn’t used to bother them.
• They complain of headaches or stomachaches, but nothing seems medically wrong.
• They slowly stop talking about what’s really going on.

If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake wondering, “Is my child okay?”—you’re not alone. I hear that question from parents more often than you might think.

Therapy isn’t about fixing teens. It’s about giving them a place where they can feel heard, understood, and supported while learning healthy ways to navigate life’s challenges.

If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to follow my page, Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness, where I share practical mental health tips and encouragement for women, teens, and parents.🩷

To learn more about me or my practice, visit:
🌿 https://findinghappinesswithin.org

07/03/2026

What if you’re not failing… but emotionally exhausted?

So many women tell themselves:

“I should be doing more.”
“Why can’t I keep up?”
“Everyone else seems to handle life better than I do.”

But sometimes the problem isn’t a lack of effort—it’s burnout.

When you’ve been carrying responsibilities for everyone else, constantly making decisions, anticipating needs, and putting yourself last, your mind and body eventually start asking for a break.

😩 Burnout can look like:
• Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks.
• Procrastinating because everything feels like too much.
• Snapping at the people you love.
• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed.
• Feeling guilty for resting.

You weren’t designed to carry everything alone.🩷

Therapy can provide a space to slow down, understand what’s contributing to your exhaustion, and help you move forward with healthier patterns—not more guilt.

💜 Finding Happiness Within Counseling & Wellness
📍 Frankfort, IL |
🌐 www.findinghappinesswithin.org

06/18/2026

So many women I work with aren’t failing, falling behind, or doing anything wrong.

They’re simply trying to carry more than any one person was ever meant to carry.

🩷

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