Walters Counseling, LLC

06/03/2026

One of the hardest, and sometimes scariest things to do is to make new friends as an adult. Some of this is self-talk ("They have all the friends they need." or "No one wants to meet new people at my age."), and some of it is truth. As we get older, we tend to have more responsibilities that consume our time, along with decreased frequency of interaction. When we were in kids, we saw the same kids, at the same times, every day. It is not a coincidence that most of us did not make friends with kids outside of our world. You can use that some concept as adult, if we a few changes. Maybe you don't want to become besties with your boss, but who else in your office catches your eye? What hobbies or activities can you do regularly, and on the same days and times? Maybe it's an art class, going to the gym, or taking your kids to the playground; you already have at least one thing in common with everyone else doing the same activities as you--a shared interest or life situation! Take a deep breath, and just initiate a conversation. A little bit at a time, these interactions may turn into your next new friendship.

No shared class schedules or freshman group chats to fall back on? Experts break down how to build a real social life as an adult—from making the first move to knowing when to reinvest in old friendships.

05/27/2026

I recently went to a music recital, and in the intermission heard one of the performers telling someone that she had heard that sad music can actually make us happy. I wondered about the truth and science behind this claim, and found this article. While there are times when this is not true (such as too many sad songs, or during depression and the songs are increasing the sadness), sad music can actually increase our general happiness. Sad songs activate areas of the brain responsible for navigating empathy and emotional regulation, in addition to stimulating the release of dopamine. So if you're feeling a little down and want a pick-me-up, try some sad music!

Sad songs can bring us joy by evoking deep emotions. Discover why we find pleasure in melancholy music.

05/20/2026

I often have conversations, both personal and professional, where people disclose their fear in telling others who they are. This could mean details about a good or bad day, values that are important to them, or information about their mental health. While there are times when these fears are justified, more often than not, sharing a part of yourself actually strengthens relationships, bringing you closer than you were before. Try telling one person something true about you that they don't already know, and see what happens!

05/13/2026

When's the last time you apologized? I don't mean a quick "Sorry about that." I mean a true, heartfelt apologize where you owned your mistake. Many of us will have to think awhile before being able to answer that question. So often, the value of apologizing is minimized or completely ignored. A true apology, with not only a promise to change but actually taking this actions moving forward, can change the dynamics of a relationship significantly. This article outlines the steps to effectively apologizing, which is not as simple or easy as we tend to make it.

Learn how to help clients access the healing power of apologies.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day! Wishing you some time to do whatever it is that truly rejuvenates you, with or without your family!

05/06/2026

Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Month! This year's theme is "More Good Days, Together." How do you, at this moment, define a good day? Don't overthink your answer, and definitely don't judge yourself for it. It could be as simple as not crying today. Maybe it's seeing a special person, or feeling productive at work. Anything goes, as long as it truly makes you feel good. If you're having trouble with this, try this interactive worksheet to discover some things that may help you have a good day. You can take what you learn about yourself and use it to help define good, for you.

Learning to help yourself feel more joy and peace takes practice. These questions will help you practice these skills and have more good days!

04/29/2026

For many people, living with ADHD means struggling with their set of symptoms, and experiencing the negative reactions of others, who do not understand this disorder. A new comic is trying to help both people who live with ADHD and those around them to recognize the effects on everyday life, particularly how this can lead to other mental health disorders, such as depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of ADHD and/ or depression, contact a licensed counselor for help.

Can you relate?

04/22/2026

At this point, you may have heard about the disturbing video game that is sweeping across the world. Parents have learned that some schools have not properly set up controls to block students from accessing this via their school computers/ accounts. I encourage all parents to contact their children's schools and directly ask if this has been done. Games like this both expose children to distressing content, and minimize the real-world effects of serious, life-altering situations.

A FNAF-inspired game called 'Five Nights at Epstein's' has gone viral among US students as it takes place in Jeffrey Epstein's Little St. James island, where he lured his victims.

04/15/2026

Perhaps you have seen this video by now, but it is a good reminder for how we listen to others. Going straight to problem-solving is a common habit, and for understandable reasons. We want to remove the pain and sources of problems for the people we love. But when we go straight to the "fix its," we accidentally negate their feelings, ignoring what they really need from us in the moment. The moral? Take time to really hear what someone is communicating, and take a few steps back from solving the problems.

"Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen." Every man has heard these words. And they are the law of the land. No matter what.

04/08/2026

How do you feel about cooking? I think I can hear a chorus of sighs from around the world just from asking that question. For many of us, it's a daily chore to be completed, not relished. Others, however, have made the case that it can not only be nourishing, but also enjoyable, or even relaxing. The connections to social relationships and the meditative qualities of cooking are primary to this. Even when cooking alone, it may remind us of a past experience with a loved one. The repetitive elements of chopping, measuring, and stirring allow our brains to calm. Next time you are getting ready to prepare a meal, try to focus on ways to engage with these elements, rather than focusing on the chore of it.

Cooking isn't just another task to be completed; it can be self-care, a creative outlet, and a means of connection, all rolled into one.