Alongside You Counseling

Alongside You Counseling Alongside you into the darkness to find and shine your light. Heal & live your best life!

Today is National Su***de Prevention DayLearn the Free and Confidential Support number that anyone can call or text at a...
09/10/2026

Today is National Su***de Prevention Day

Learn the Free and Confidential Support number that anyone can call or text at any time.

988

Learn it
For yourself
For a loved one
For a stranger

Help is are available 24/7/365

09/08/2026

That's it. That's the invitation 🤍

Self-compassion can get a bad rap.Sometimes people assume it just means being soft on yourself. Or, an even more damagin...
09/03/2026

Self-compassion can get a bad rap.

Sometimes people assume it just means being soft on yourself. Or, an even more damaging misconception, that it means being passive or avoidant — ignoring any shortcomings, mistakes, or even harm that one causes. Sugarcoating yourself through life to avoid uncomfortable feelings like disappointment or guilt from self-accountability... that is NOT self-compassion. That is avoidance.

Self-compassion is a quality of relationship in which we show up with ourselves — one that is decent, loving, and kind. It actually supports us in turning toward and being with our shortcomings, failures, and mistakes. It’s a way to be accepting of ourselves as human beings. We can be kind and loving while we hold ourselves accountable, look at our mistakes or shortcomings, or simply be with ourselves in a hard time.

Imagine you tried something new and failed at it.

If we showed up as our own harsh inner critic, our inner dialogue might sound like: “Of course you failed. Why did you even think you could do that? What is everyone going to think?!” This can lead to avoiding new things altogether and retreating into a comfortable safety bubble. No risks. No growth.

Now imagine you were “just soft” — avoidant and sugarcoating. Your inner dialogue might sound like: “Oh well, that didn’t go the way you wanted. Let’s sweep it under the rug and never look at it again — time for ice cream.” Chances are you might try new things again, because that wasn’t so bad, but you may miss the valuable lessons in the failure that would set you up for success next time. You may also miss an important repair that needs to happen.

But self-compassion might sound like: “Ooof, this hurts. I really wanted that to go differently, and I wasn’t able to do it. But you know what, not everything goes right the first time. Let me take a look at what happened and learn from it.”

Self-compassion meets us on the ground when we fall, and helps us up when we’re ready — cheering us on as we take the next step.

We can be that for ourselves. Self-compassion is a skill, and we can practice it.

WWDDWhat Would Dolly Do?The world is grieving the loss of a cherished storytelling woman– someone who, if we knew of her...
08/26/2026

WWDD
What Would Dolly Do?

The world is grieving the loss of a cherished storytelling woman– someone who, if we knew of her in any capacity, touched our hearts in one way or another.

For some of us, Dolly filled in the blanks where our mothers and grandmothers left holes.

Her warmth, love and kindness became patches on our own coat of many colors.
Isn’t it magical how we don’t need to know someone in real life to receive their loving energy?

I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA – the home of. Mr. Rogers. Through my television screen – he was gentle, patient, and present. Something I needed from an adult that I wasn’t usually able to receive in my real life. And he told me people can like me – just the way I am. Something I wasn’t always sure of, but he reminded me again and again. I am so familiar with the soothing tone of his voice, and I know just what he would say in whatever situation I find myself in. It can sometimes be easier to think, what would Mr. Rogers say? And allow that to wash over me.

I moved to East TN – the land of Dolly – in 2018. It was immediately obvious how important she is to the community here and how much of an impact she has as a superstar with worldwide reach.

Dolly was sure of herself. Confident.
She was loving, warm and kind.
Non-judgmental.

When people expressed hurts or needs, she listened and took them seriously. She didn’t dismiss other people’s experiences because they were different from hers or her understanding. She listened with an open ear and learned from others – because she was open hearted enough to not need defenses.

Dolly is an inspiration that we can build a truly loving compassionate relationship with ourselves and from that place be truly open and loving with the world around us.

May we all continue to allow Dolly’s warmth and love into our hearts to heal the parts that need it. The more we allow and receive love to the wounded parts of us, the more connected with ourselves we can be.

The more connected with ourselves, the more loving with others we can be.
By doing so, we can all carry on the legacy of Dolly!
The world needs it!

If you carry a constant pressure to produce/do/accomplish/busy/hurry and the thought of rest or stillness is accompanied...
08/18/2026

If you carry a constant pressure to produce/do/accomplish/busy/hurry and the thought of rest or stillness is accompanied by judgment and guilt, then this is an invitation to notice that.
Instead of trying to avoid it, notice it. If curiosity is accessible, wonder about it, by asking “where did that come from and what is it trying to do for me?”

The answer may surprise you.

Maybe there is an old story playing - about the need to earn, achieve, or prove your:
Worth
Value
Lovability
Fill in the blank _______.
Or maybe there is a different story. See if you can notice what comes up.

This is an invitation to see the story as an old story.
As old unmet needs from the past that are being played out in your current day.
And an opportunity to rewrite the story.

Practice:
Close your eyes if that is comfortable.
Place your hands on your heart
OR wherever you noticed a sensation when you were wondering and noticing earlier.

Now - show up for yourself, the part of you that picked up that story, as you would a loved one.
Show up for yourself as the loving parent of your younger self who is experiencing this story.
And SHOW that part of you that you are loved, worthy, accepted.
No earning, achieving, proving.
Just in this moment. All is well.

That may look like in your mind's eye you give yourself a hug and/or engage in a conversion.
However that need wants to be met, let that unfold.
You can invite the image/voice of the most nurturing figure to be there too. For example, what would Mr. Rogers say to a child experiencing that story. Allow that to play out in your mind's eye.
Notice any sensations of ease, release, relaxing, opening etc.

Allow for that.
Notice that.
Breathe into it.

When that feels complete, open your eyes, move back into the moment and choose from this place. What is the next thing that feels right?

This is a practice you can come back to.
If you are called to embark on a journey back to yourself - we are here when you are ready, to join alongside you on that path.

08/12/2026

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Monday, Frontier Health opened a new free mental health center for kids who are experiencing a crisis. The Frontier Health Children’s Crisis Walk-In Center …

Part 2 | From Inner Critic to Inner CompassionIf practicing self-compassion feels difficult...There is usually a reason....
08/12/2026

Part 2 | From Inner Critic to Inner Compassion
If practicing self-compassion feels difficult...
There is usually a reason.

Therapy can be a place to explore the part of yourself that has taken on the role of the critic.

To get curious about what it has been trying to do for you.

To discover the unmet need beneath it.

To build inner trust.

And over time, to support a shift...

From protection to connection.
From criticism to compassion.
From contraction to expansion.

At Alongside You Counseling, we believe lasting healing happens when we heal the past that continues to shape the present while building the skills to create new patterns.

Repairing old wounds.
Healing your relationship with yourself.
And cultivating a practice of self-compassion.

Because learning to treat yourself with kindness isn't about ignoring mistakes or lowering your standards.

It's about creating an inner relationship that supports growth instead of shame.
Our hope is that, over time, you become your own lifelong best friend.

đź’ś If you're curious about beginning that journey, we'd be honored to walk alongside you.

Part 1 | A Practice of Self-CompassionIf you find yourself being your own worst critic...Kicking yourself when you're do...
08/10/2026

Part 1 | A Practice of Self-Compassion

If you find yourself being your own worst critic...

Kicking yourself when you're down.
Judging yourself for your mistakes.
Believing that you will never be enough.

And yet, alongside this harsh inner critic, another part of you longs for something different.

A relationship with yourself that is loving, nurturing, and compassionate.
One where you lift yourself up instead of tearing yourself apart.

You are not alone.

And you do not have to stay stuck here.

Try this simple 3-Step Self-Compassion Practice developed by self-compassion researcher Dr. Kristin Neff.

Step 1: Mindfulness
Notice your inner dialogue. Catch yourself when your self-talk becomes harsh or critical.

Step 2: Compassion
Practice speaking to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love if they were in the exact same situation.

I often ask myself:
"What would I say to my best friend if they told me this happened to them?"
That simple question can help shift you toward a more compassionate response.

Step 3: Common Humanity
Why do I deserve to speak to myself with kindness?

Because we all do.

Every human is imperfect.
Every human makes mistakes.
Every human deserves dignity and compassion.

If you would offer compassion to a stranger, then you already believe people deserve kindness simply because they are human.

That includes you.

Self-compassion is a practice.

Some days it will come naturally.
Some days it will feel hard.
Some days you'll forget.

Don't judge your practice.

Just keep coming back...
Again.
And again.

Notice the small shifts over time.

➡️ In Part 2, we'll explore why self-compassion can feel so difficult—and how therapy can help.

✨ Now Offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) ✨I'm excited to share about Alongside You Counseling offering Ketam...
08/07/2026

✨ Now Offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) ✨

I'm excited to share about Alongside You Counseling offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with Journey Clinical.

Throughout my career, I've been passionate about finding therapeutic approaches that help people move beyond symptom management and toward deep, lasting healing. That's what led me to train in EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an approach that combines psychotherapy with ketamine in a carefully supported therapeutic process.

Through our partnership with Journey Clinical, clients receive a comprehensive medical evaluation and ongoing oversight from a licensed psychiatric provider, while I provide the preparation, therapeutic support during the medicine session, and integration afterward.

While KAP isn't a magic solution—and it's not the right fit for everyone—it can be a powerful therapeutic tool that helps some individuals access meaningful insight, emotional healing, and new possibilities for change when combined with psychotherapy.

I look forward to continue to share more about:
✨ What KAP is
✨ How it works
✨ Who may benefit
✨ What to expect from the process
✨ Common questions and misconceptions

If you're curious about KAP or wondering whether it may be a good fit for you, we'd love to answer your questions.

📱 Call or text Alongside You Counseling at (423) 390-8603. Whether you're simply exploring your options or ready to take the next step, we're here to help.
Healing is a journey, not a destination. There is no single path to take. My role isn't to tell you which path is yours—it's to walk alongside you as we discover the supports that help you heal. KAP is one of those possible paths.

Treatment backed by science. Healing informed by spirit. Journey held with intention.

Address

108 E. MAIN Street STE #218
Kingsport, TN
37660

Telephone

+14233908603

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