applied_counseling

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Nixa, MO
applied_counseling

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Counseling services that include working with children, adolescents and adults that are struggling with mental health concerns.

Sessions are self-pay and by appointment only. Call, email or message for more details. I enjoy my role, as a counselor, in providing a safe and compassionate place for individuals to feel seen and heard. I enjoy working with individuals that are aware that they need to do something different but aren't sure what the next step is. This could be parents concerned about their child's behavior, needs at school, adolescents and adults going through life transitions, mental health concerns or just needing a safe space to talk and process life. I have experience working with children, adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health needs and also have over 10+ years of experience in the public education system. Some of my specializations include working with children, adolescents and adults that are struggling with: depression, anxiety, ADHD, school issues, relational issues, grief and loss, adjustment to change, life transitions and other mental health concerns.

10/26/2026

🍂🎃 “You don't have to walk through the dark alone.”

Over the Garden Wall teaches us that sometimes life feels like wandering through an unfamiliar forest… unsure where you're going, a little overwhelmed, and occasionally wondering if that frog has a name. 🐸😂

Life can feel that way, too.

🕯️ Sometimes we feel lost.
🍁 Sometimes the path forward isn't clear.
🌲 Sometimes our worries make the woods seem darker than they really are.

Counseling is a place to slow down, make sense of what's happening, learn new ways to cope, and find your next step—even when you can't see the whole path ahead.

You don't have to have all the answers.
You don't have to pretend you're not scared.
And you certainly don't have to figure everything out alone.

Take the next step.
I'd love to help you find your way. 🧡

10/07/2026

🛋️ REST IS NOT LAZINESS

Sometimes your brain does not need another solution, another task, or another thing to worry about.

Sometimes it needs a pause.

Rest gives your body and mind a chance to reset, process, and recharge.

So today, give yourself permission to:

☕ Sit down without feeling guilty
📱 Put the phone away
😴 Get some extra sleep
🎧 Do something you enjoy
🤫 Take a few quiet minutes
🚫 Say “not today” to something that can wait

You are a human being—not a phone battery that has to hit 1% before you’re allowed to recharge. 🔋😂

Rest is part of taking care of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self! 💪

09/10/2026

💛 World Su***de Prevention Day

Sometimes the person who says, “I’m fine,” is not really fine.

Sometimes a smile is hiding exhaustion.

Sometimes “I’m just tired” means “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply ask.

👉 “How are you really doing?”
👉 “Are you feeling overwhelmed?”
👉 “Have you been thinking about hurting yourself?”

Asking the question does NOT put the idea in someone’s head.

It can open a door they desperately needed someone to open.

You don't have to have the perfect words.
You don't have to fix everything.

Be present.
Listen.
Take it seriously.
Help them connect with support.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

You matter.
Your story matters.
You don't have to face the hard days alone.

09/01/2026

🧠✨ NEURODIVERGENCY

Different brains.
Different wiring.
Different ways of experiencing the world.

Neurodivergence isn’t something that needs to be “fixed.”

It means a person’s brain may process information, emotions, communication, sensory experiences, or social situations differently.

And different doesn’t mean less than. 💛

Sometimes neurodivergent kids and teens may:

🎧 Become overwhelmed by sounds, lights, or crowds

🌀 Feel emotions BIG and have a hard time explaining them

💬 Communicate differently than expected

🔄 Need routines, predictability, or extra time to transition

🎯 Have intense interests or incredible areas of focus

😴 Need more recovery time after a socially or sensory-heavy day

🚫The goal isn't to make everyone fit the same mold.

🥇The goal is understanding, acceptance, support, and helping each person learn how their own brain works.

Sometimes what looks like “behavior” is actually communication. ❤️🤔

08/31/2026

🎒 School is back....and so is STRESS!

Back-to-school stress can show up as:

😩 “I don’t want to go!”
😤 Random attitude
😭 Meltdowns over absolutely everything
😴 Suddenly being exhausted 24/7
🫠 Forgetting how to function before 8 AM

Remember: big transitions can create big feelings.

🚫Kids don't need perfect days.

They need:
Patience
Reassurance
Structure
..and maybe a snack. Definitely a snack. 🍪

Remind them:

👉 You don’t have to know everything yet.
👉 It’s okay to be nervous.
👉 Mistakes are part of learning.
👉 You can ask for help.
👉 One rough day does NOT mean a rough year.

The goal isn’t to raise kids who never get stressed.

It’s to help them learn:

“I can feel stressed AND still handle it.” 💪🧠

08/18/2026

Back to School ≠ Back to Chaos 📚

School is starting!

This means it’s time to dust off the backpacks, reset the bedtime, and bring some structure back to the family schedule. 😅

🚫A routine doesn’t have to be perfect—

✔️It just needs to be predictable.

🕒 Consistent wake-up and bedtime
🎒 Prepare the night before
🍎 Regular meals and snacks
📱 Set healthy limits around screens
🧠 Build in time to decompress
❤️ Give kids space to adjust

Something to remember:

Behavior often improves when expectations become predictable.

The first few weeks may be bumpy. Don't panic!

Give yourself, your kids, your family—time to find the rhythm.

New school year.

New routines.

Same goal:

Helping our kids feel safe, supported, and ready to grow.

07/31/2026

Today......

BREATHE

Stop and take a few deep breaths

Breathing is one of the few things your mind and body can work on together.

By intentionally slowing your breath, you're sending your nervous system a message: You're safe enough to slow down.

Try this:

🌿 Breathe in for 4 seconds.
🌿 Hold for 4 seconds.
🌿 Breathe out for 6 seconds.
🌿 Repeat for 1–2 minutes.

07/25/2026

🤔🤔🤔

Every time you say yes ✔️

you're also saying no 🚫

The question is...

What are you saying "NO" to?

✔️ Yes - to another obligation.
🚫 No - to time with your family.

✔️ Yes - to keeping everyone else happy.
🚫 No - to your own peace.

✔️ Yes - to staying comfortable.
🚫 No - to growth.

Most people spend a lot of time deciding what to say yes to, but very little time considering what that decision quietly costs.

Choose your yes with intention!!!👏

You will be shaped just as much by the things you decline as the things you accept.

07/16/2026

Today doesn't have to be amazing to be meaningful.

Enjoy the sunshine.
Laugh a little louder.
Put your phone down for a few minutes.
Take the long way home.
Sip your coffee while it's still hot.
Notice the small moments that usually get rushed.

Mental health and taking care of the self isn't only about getting through hard days—it's also about being fully present for the good ones.

You don't have to earn a beautiful day.

Just enjoy it.

06/18/2026

🎵 Music & Mental Health 🎵

Love being able to display music in the counseling office! Thanks Record Roots - Vinyl Display for a great way to display some vinyl!

Ever notice how one song can completely change your mood?

Music has a unique way of helping us process emotions, reduce stress, and feel connected.

Sometimes it gives us the words we can't find ourselves. Other times, it simply reminds us that we're not alone in what we're feeling.

🎧 Need to calm down? Create a playlist of songs that help you relax.

🎧 Need motivation? Find songs that energize and inspire you.

🎧 Need to process emotions? Let music help you sit with your feelings instead of avoiding them.

Music isn't a replacement for therapy, but it can be a powerful tool for supporting your mental health between sessions.

What's one song that's been helping you lately?

Address

819 N Main Street
Nixa, MO
65714

Telephone

+14174134544

Website

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/cody-swearengin-ozark-mo/448750

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