Fresh Start Counseling PLLC

06/03/2026

🌿 Anxiety can make everything feel urgent.

Your thoughts may race. Your body may feel tense. You might find yourself overthinking, avoiding, shutting down, or trying to “fix” everything at once.

DBT teaches practical skills for moments like this. One helpful place to start is the STOP skill:

S — Stop. Pause before reacting.

T — Take a step back. Give yourself a little space from the thought, feeling, or urge.

O — Observe. Notice what is happening in your body, thoughts, emotions, and environment.

P — Proceed mindfully. Choose the next step that supports your long-term well-being, not just immediate relief.

You do not have to wait until anxiety takes over to learn tools that help you feel steadier. At Fresh Start Counseling, we use DBT to help teens and adults build real-life skills for emotional regulation, anxiety, ADHD, and relationship stress.

Telehealth is available across Washington State, with in-person sessions in Port Orchard.

Learn more or schedule a consultation at:
www.freshstart-counseling.com

06/01/2026

🌿 A gentle reminder for the start of the week: anxiety is not a personal failure.

Sometimes anxiety shows up as racing thoughts. Sometimes it looks like irritability, shutting down, over-planning, procrastinating, or feeling exhausted before the day even begins.

DBT helps by teaching practical skills that make big emotions easier to understand and manage. One simple place to begin is naming what is happening:

What am I feeling?

Where do I notice it in my body?

What urge is showing up right now?

What would help me respond instead of react?

When you can name the emotion, you create a little space between the feeling and the next step. That space is often where steadier choices begin.

At Fresh Start Counseling, we help teens and adults build real-life DBT skills for anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, and relationship stress.

Telehealth is available across Washington State, with in-person sessions in Port Orchard.

Learn more or schedule a consultation at:
www.freshstart-counseling.com

05/28/2026

Relationships are the heart of our lives, but they also require nurturing and understanding to truly flourish. 🌱 Whether it's with a partner, family member, or friend, building healthy connections is a journey of growth, communication, and empathy.

At Fresh Start Counseling, we believe in empowering you with the tools to foster deeper bonds. It starts with:

Active Listening: Truly hearing and understanding, not just waiting to reply.
Expressing Appreciation: Acknowledging and valuing the people in your life.
Prioritizing Quality Time: Creating intentional moments to connect without distractions.

These simple practices can transform your interactions and strengthen the foundations of your most important relationships. If you're navigating challenges or simply want to enhance your connections, our compassionate therapists are here to guide you.

05/26/2026

At Fresh Start Counseling, we specialize in helping individuals thrive with ADHD by developing personalized tools that actually work for your brain.
Ready to make a change? Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our ADHD support services and start your journey toward a more focused life. 🌿

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

"Therapy didn't just help me cope; it helped me thrive. I finally feel like myself again." ✨ Stories like this remind us why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your own journey of growth and healing, we're here for you.

05/20/2026

The Importance of Self-Care for Mental Well-being

05/20/2026

Self-care isn't selfish; it's essential. 🌿 Take a moment today to breathe, reset, and prioritize your mental well-being. What's one small thing you're doing for yourself today?

05/18/2026

Feeling overwhelmed? Learn 3 practical DBT skills to manage intense emotions and find your balance.