Verna D. Johnson, Women's Wellness and Psychotherapy

05/22/2026

Mental health is widely considered a leading global health crisis.

Nearly 1.2 billion people had a mental disorder in 2023, a new study has found — reflecting a 95.5% increase since 1990.

05/06/2026

Veteran's Hall of Fort Bend

Good morning! As we begin another month, Houston Volunteer Lawyers wants to invite you to learn more about our criminal record clearing program. We are having two sessions this month, and we welcome you to come learn more! Tell your friends!

05/06/2026

Good morning! As we begin another month, Houston Volunteer Lawyers wants to invite you to learn more about our criminal record clearing program. We are having two sessions this month, and we welcome you to come learn more! Tell your friends!

04/16/2026

Hormones, Exhaustion and Identity

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04/15/2026

Eating about a handful of walnuts helps to improve brain health. For all of the women in perimenopause or menopause please read this article.

Walnuts have been considered valuable throughout history. Perhaps it's because of the positive impacts they can have on your health. Learn the nutrients and health benefits of walnuts from our dietitians.

03/30/2026

Mindful Monday Moment: When Financial Stress Feels Like A Threat

Financial stress isn’t just about dollars, it’s about safety. When your mind senses “I might not have enough,” it can interpret that as “I might not be safe,” because the brain doesn’t always distinguish between a practical stressor and a real threat. That’s why financial strain can feel emotional, psychological, physical, and even identity shifting.

This week, I invite you to slow down and ask yourself: What’s in my control right now? What’s the real issue I need to name? Naming the stressor helps your nervous system settle and reminds you that you’re not powerless, even in uncertain seasons.

Last week, I came across a post on LinkedIn by Dr. Dwight Turner that said, “A lot of ‘mental health issues’ disappear when bills are paid, rent is secure, and the fridge is full. Peace is expensive.” It immediately brought Maslow’s hierarchy to mind — how safety and stability are foundational to our well‑being. And yet, even when our basic needs are technically met, psychological stressors can still activate the same alarm in the brain, making us feel physically unsafe.

This is your reminder that your reactions make sense. Your body is trying to protect you. And you deserve spaces — internal and external — where safety isn’t a question mark but a lived experience.

03/23/2026

Pain Will Change You: Chronic Illness and Identity

Living with chronic illness reshapes more than your body—it reshapes your identity. It influences how you see yourself, how you plan your day, and how you show up at work. When we only treat the physical symptoms, we overlook the emotional and psychological weight that comes with constant unpredictability.
Chronic illness also changes the small, everyday choices most people take for granted. It can shift your mood, drain your confidence, and alter how you make decisions, manage relationships, and navigate stress at work.

In the video, I talk about recognizing the positive adaptations you’ve made—but I also understand that many people with chronic pain may not feel they’ve reached that point. As both a psychotherapist and someone living with chronic nerve pain, I understand the psychological toll of invisible conditions, not just clinically, but personally. So, if you’ve noticed these shifts and haven’t been able to adapt in a way that feels sustainable, you’re not alone. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you explore how the changes in your body and mind are affecting your sense of self—and support you in adjusting with compassion rather than pressure.

03/16/2026

The Quiet Weight of Caregiver Fatigue — and Why Self Care Isn’t Optional

Caregiving often asks people to show up with strength, patience, and compassion long after their own energy has run low. That’s why self care isn’t a luxury for caregivers — it’s a lifeline. Tending to your emotional, physical, and mental well being creates the stability you need to keep caring without losing yourself in the process. Self care can be small and practical: a moment of quiet, a supportive conversation, a brief break, or accepting help when it’s offered. These acts don’t diminish your commitment; they protect it. When caregivers honor their own needs, they create space for resilience, clarity, and genuine compassion to return. Caring for yourself is one of the most powerful ways to sustain the care you give to others. Hopefully these resource will aid in your self care.

Please see Resources below.

Nationwide:
Eldercare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that helps find local services, (1-800-677-1116)
CMS.gov: The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is a voluntary, nationwide model testing the impact of providing comprehensive services and supports for people with dementia and their caregivers. 2024-2032
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): Connects caregivers with local services.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): Offers counseling and information on long-term services.
Easterseals Disability & Community Services
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): Provides a monthly stipend, often ranging from $1750 to over $3, 200 depending on the level of care needed (62.5% or 100% of local home health aide rates). The spouse must be over 18, and the veteran must need in-person care for at least six months.
Contact 211
ARCH National Respite Network, which provides a National Respite Locator Service to find local services,
LIDDA (Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority): Offers respite for individuals with disabilities.

Texas (Specifically Houston and Surrounding areas):
CarePartners provides respite care to offer temporary relief for caregivers (offering free programs).
Easter Seals Greater Houston
Home Helpers Home Care: Specialized care in SE Houston, including Alzheimer's support.
Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS): Partners with Home Instead to provide up to 100 hours of free professional caregiving services for Parkinson’s patients.
Christian Provider Service: Offers temporary care for daily living needs.

Government & Statewide Programs:
Take Time Texas: A Texas Health and Human Services search tool to find local, free, or low-cost respite options.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC): Free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA): Directory to locate attorneys specializing in elder law, including power of attorney and guardianship.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): Fact sheets, legal planning resources, and guidance for families managing dementia or chronic health conditions.
ACL Administration for Community Living (.gov): Legal assistance for older Americans (60+) and their caregivers.

03/13/2026

Many people recognize they need mental health support, but the intake paperwork alone can feel overwhelming. This article may be for you if you’ve ever started the process of seeking therapy—or if you’re thinking about it. Please don’t feel discouraged by the questions and forms you may be asked to complete.

Seeking Mental Health Support: Don’t Let the Intake Paperwork Stop You

Before seeking therapy, there are often signs we try to ignore: intense mood swings, constant crying, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, or withdrawing from people we care about. Sometimes work performance declines, emotions feel harder to manage, or coping behaviors such as alcohol or other substances increase.

Even when we know something is wrong, we often push the feeling down. We don’t want to disrupt our routines or revisit painful experiences. Admitting we might need help can bring feelings of shame, making us believe there is something wrong with us rather than recognizing that life experiences, trauma, and stress can affect our mental health.

Then comes the next challenge: the intake paperwork.

Many therapy intake forms ask deeply personal questions about mental health history, trauma, abuse, and life experiences. When someone is already emotionally overwhelmed, these questions can feel intrusive or exhausting.

As a clinician, I often see how difficult it can be for people to take this first step. The paperwork is not meant to interrogate or judge you—it helps therapists understand what you may be experiencing so they can better support you.

If completing intake forms feels overwhelming, communicate with your therapist and ask for more time. You can also write down or journal what you’re feeling so you can discuss it during your appointment.

Seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes the hardest part of therapy is simply giving yourself permission to begin.