Optimal Consulting and Counseling

10/23/2020

So true!

08/18/2020

There's a lot of news about the mental health issues that individuals are facing as a result of the ongoing challenges created by Covid-19. Heart rate variability training can be a great approach to help combat stress and anxiety.

Give me a call at 314-207-0940 if you want to learn more about how biofeedback can help reduce stress and balance your autonomic nervous system. A stress profile assessment can provide you with tangible data about how your system reacts and recovers from stress. We can then set up a customized program to help increase your resiliency by balancing your system.

Emerging findings support use of HRV biofeedback training for anxiety.

07/13/2020

Nice article that describes Somatic Therapy. When individuals face acute or chronic trauma, stress or other adversities; often a cognitive approach needs to be combined with a somatic approach for full resolution. Somatic Experiencing and Biofeedback can help clients change their physiology to achieve a greater sense of calm, fulness and healing. Call, text or message me to learn more 314-207-0940 or [email protected]

Body-centered techniques such as Somatic Experiencing are shifting the focus of trauma therapy from talking to feeling, offering new potential for healing.

05/15/2020

Although it is a little dreary today, I found myself surrounded by beauty on my morning walk with Wally (the sweetest big dog around, who is also training to be a therapy dog to join the Optimal staff 😁).
My walk was a wonderful example and reminder of the work that I do with clients. Slowing down and making room to expand on our full experience (both internally and externally) to help balance and regulate our systems. In these extremely strange and stressful times, it’s more important than ever to try and find connection, balance and support. Sending positive thoughts your way and a gentle reminder to focus on those slow exhales!

03/31/2020

Check out these free online resources to keep busy during your time at home. The Cincinnati Zoo FB page has a bunch of Live video safaris that are educational and fun to watch. You can also tour museums, learn a new skill, and find other creative resources for your family. I'm trying to learn the ukulele and work on home projects during my increased home time, how about you? Please share other resources and activities that you are enjoying in the comments.

Stay safe!

As the COVID-19 pandemic drives more businesses to close and events to be canceled, we’ve compiled a list of activities and creative ways to stay busy while social distancing.

03/30/2020

Hi Everyone, hope you are staying safe and healthy! Here's another resource with some great tips to help manage your fear response, related to COVID 19. I especially loved mindfulness video #4, it has great a audio and visual component that you can enjoy when you want to take a break and clear your mind. Stay safe and reach out to your resources if you need support - we are in this together!

The fears of the novel coronavirus are spreading quicker than the virus itself. Check out these 8 Mindfulness Exercises for dealing with COVID-19.

03/26/2020

Hi Everyone, I've been meaning to launch a FB page for my counseling and consulting business and decided now was a great time to make it happen. I'll be adding tips and resources to help people navigate this crazy time. Stay safe and healthy and don't hesitate to share this info/page if you know someone who might benefit.

03/26/2020

Here's a great article with tips for Managing COVID-19 Anxiety. Please remember to use your resources during this time. I am currently offering video sessions that are covered by most insurances if you need an additional resource. We are all in this together!

** Please note that tip 9 on breathing in the article, suggests a breathing pattern of inhale for 4, hold for 7 and exhale for 8. I'd highly recommend simply starting with noticing your exhale (which is the parasympathetic - rest relax part of your system); you can progress to a longer exhale, but don't do a long hold. Think "low and slow" breathing and don't try to take an abnormally large breath - just a comfortably full one. Biofeedback shows that most people do not achieve an optimal level of balance with an extended hold or abnormally deep breath.

When dealing with increased anxiety related to COVID-19, it may help to recognize your feelings are normal. Once you do that, consider this counselor's tips.

03/26/2020

Great article explaining how respiration and heart rate variability training can help regulate your autonomic nervous system and counteract the fight/flight (sympathetic) activation. Call today to learn more about Biofeedback and other strategies to help achieve balance, reduce anxiety and improve peak performance.

Respiratory vagus nerve stimulation (rVNS) counteracts fight-or-flight stress.