Charmed Counseling

Charmed Counseling Charmed Counseling creates a relaxed, supportive, non-judgmental environment where you can discuss anything that may be on your mind. No walk-ins.

Schedule by appointment only! Vancouver Office Information:

108 SE 124th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98684

360-217-9050

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are several hyper-local events happening in the Vancouver area ...
05/23/2026

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are several hyper-local events happening in the Vancouver area over the next week, alongside year-round community resources.
​Upcoming Local Events & Activities
​If you are looking to get involved, learn, or find community support in the immediate coming days, here are a few specific events happening in and around Vancouver:
•  ​Blooming Together: A Neurodivergent Support Group
◦ ​When: Tuesday evenings
◦ ​Where: Méraki Collective / Body Vitality (Vancouver, WA)
◦ ​What: A community-led space focusing on connection, validation, and mental wellness for neurodivergent individuals.
• .
◦  ​"Our Time to Shine" Mental Health Wellness Event
▪ ​When: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
▪ ​Where: Washington State University Vancouver (303 E 16th Street)
▪ ​What: Presented by Seedling Psychological Services, this event focuses on community mental health awareness, wellness strategies, and local resources.
◦ .
▪  ​Thrive2Survive Community Wellness Pop-Up
▫ ​When: Recurring local dates (Check their community calendar for upcoming neighborhood locations)
▫ ​What: These events bring together roughly ten local organizations to provide direct, walk-in support for mental health services, recovery resources, housing assistance, and a hot meal in a family-friendly environment.
▪ .
▪ ​Local Mental Health & Peer Resources
▪ ​If you or someone you know needs support, connection, or advocacy, Vancouver and Clark County have robust local organizations ready to help:
▪ ​1. NAMI Southwest Washington (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
▪ ​A premier local grassroots organization offering support groups, educational classes, and stigma-reduction workshops for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families.
▫ ​Location: 2500 Main Street, Suite 120, Vancouver, WA
▫ ​Contact: (360) 695-2823
▫ ​Services: Offers drop-in resources, specific family-to-family education, and a recurring Crisis Intervention & De-escalation community training on the third Wednesday of every month.





~Amy Manley, LICSWA

Caregiver burnout can look like exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, or feeling emotionally numb. Recognizing the signs ea...
05/22/2026

Caregiver burnout can look like exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, or feeling emotionally numb. Recognizing the signs early matters. Prevention starts with boundaries, rest, support, and asking for help before reaching a breaking point. -Makayla Wilson, LICSWA

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a type of therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, cope with stress, ...
05/12/2026

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a type of therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, cope with stress, improve relationships, and stay grounded during difficult moments.
One helpful DBT skill is the TIPP skill, which is designed to help calm the nervous system quickly when emotions feel overwhelming.
TIPP stands for:

- Temperature: Use cold water, ice packs, or cold air to help bring your body out of a heightened emotional state.

- Intense Exercise: Short bursts of movement can help release built-up stress and adrenaline.

- Paced Breathing: Taking slow deep breaths can signal safety to your body and help reduce emotional intensity. Try taking a deep breath in through the nose and exhaling a longer breath through the mouth.

- Paired Muscle Relaxation: Tensing and relaxing muscle groups can help the body let go of tension and reconnect with the present moment.
These skills are not about ignoring emotions or “getting over it.” They are tools to help lower the intensity enough so you can respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
Sometimes coping starts with helping the body feel safe first.
‌
- Jenica Jett, LMHCA

Connection starts when we stop trying to be “right” and start trying to be understood (and to be open to understanding!)...
05/09/2026

Connection starts when we stop trying to be “right” and start trying to be understood (and to be open to understanding!)
Non-Violent Communication is the simple practice of observing what happened without blame, owning how you feel with “I” statements, and asking for what you need clearly. -Makayla Wilson, LICSWA

World Schizophrenia Day AwarenessPurpose: To educate the public on the reality of the condition, advocate foWorld Schizo...
05/01/2026

World Schizophrenia Day Awareness

Purpose: To educate the public on the reality of the condition, advocate foWorld Schizophrenia Day is observed on May 24.

It serves as a global platform to raise awareness about schizophrenia—a complex mental health condition—and to challenge the persistent socialr better mental health services, and support the roughly 24 million people worldwide living with schizophrenia.

History: The day was established by the National Schizophrenia Foundation to honor Dr. Philippe Pinel (1745–1826). Dr. Pinel was a French physician who pioneered the humane treatment of people with mental illnesses, famously advocating for the removal of chains from patients in asylums.

Understanding Schizophrenia

One of the primary goals of this day is to correct common misinformation.

MythReality"Split Personality"Schizophrenia is often confused with Dissociative Identity Disorder. It actually involves a "split" from reality, not multiple personalities."Inherently Violent"Most people with schizophrenia are not violent; they are actually more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators."Untreatable"While chronic, it is highly treatable with a combination of medication, cognitive therapy, and community support.

How to Observe the Day

Educate Yourself and Others: Share accurate resources from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Use Social Media: Use hashtags like or to join the global conversation.

Support Organizations: Many local and international mental health charities hold fundraisers or webinars during the month of May (which is also Mental Health Awareness Month in several countries).

Practice Empathy: Listen to the stories of those with lived experience. Recovery is possible, and community support is often a critical factor in long-t

# World schizophrenia day
the stigma
health awareness

~Amy Manley, LICSWA

Anxiety can feel like a constant, loud alarm ringing in your head, making you feel on edge or fearful even when there is...
04/30/2026

Anxiety can feel like a constant, loud alarm ringing in your head, making you feel on edge or fearful even when there is no immediate danger, but it’s important to know that having these feelings is not a sign of weakness. It is a natural biological response that has simply become overactive, and it is nothing to be ashamed of—in fact, millions of people navigate these same waves every day. When the world feels overwhelming, you can find small moments of relief by practicing square breathing, using the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to reconnect with your senses, or simply labeling the feeling by saying, "This is just anxiety, and it will pass." While these self-help tools are great for the moment, talking to a therapist is one of the most effective ways to manage anxiety long-term, as they can help you understand your triggers and teach you how to "retrain" your brain's alarm system.

~Kelly Rawhouser, LMHCA

It's time to normalize the "AND." We often think that if we feel one way, we can't possibly feel another. If we aren't a...
04/20/2026

It's time to normalize the "AND."

We often think that if we feel one way, we can't possibly feel another. If we aren't at peak performance, we are failing. That mindset leads straight to burnout and anxiety.

The truth is, our brains and our lives are complex. The key is finding balance, not forcing elimination.

💡 You can be dedicated to your career AND prioritize your family.
💡 You can be working hard toward a goal AND have a day where you just can't focus.
💡 You can feel strong and independent AND still need a shoulder to cry on.

This is what emotional agility looks like. It’s making peace with the duality. Your worth isn’t based on your ability to be one-dimensional.

Which pair from the image is most relevant to you today? Let's talk about it. 👇
-AB

In therapy, we often talk about getting to live life and THRIVE. Sometimes when we’ve operated in one of the other modes...
04/18/2026

In therapy, we often talk about getting to live life and THRIVE. Sometimes when we’ve operated in one of the other modes for so long, we forget that things can get better.
The goal is to recognize where you are and get the support you need to move toward steadier ground. -Makayla Wilson, LICSWA

The Restored & Revived Behavioral Health Launch Dinner & Auction. It is a major upcoming fundraiser in Vancouver, Washin...
04/18/2026

The Restored & Revived Behavioral Health Launch Dinner & Auction. It is a major upcoming fundraiser in Vancouver, Washington, specifically focused on expanding trauma-informed mental health services in Clark County.

​Event Details

​Date: Friday, May 8, 2026

​Time: Starting at 5:30 PM

​Location: Matson Building, 10713 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662

The Restored & Revived Behavioral Health Launch Dinner & Auction is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026, at The Matson Building (Faith Center Church).

​Website: restoredandrevived.com/events

​Details: This event officially launches their trauma-informed mental health services. You can RSVP for the dinner and find information on event or table sponsorships directly on their site.

​Listen Line "Sunshine State of Mind" Dinner

​Purpose: To launch and sustain accessible behavioral health services for the local community.

​What to Expect

​The evening is designed as a co-ed community event focused on connection and local impact. The program includes:

​Social Hour: A mocktail and networking hour to kick off the evening.

​Dining: A full catered dinner followed by a "Dessert Dash."

​Auction: Both online and live auctions featuring various items and packages.

​Program: Inspiring speakers sharing the importance of accessible mental health care.

​Support & Tickets

​Restored & Revived is currently looking for:

​Sponsors: Opportunities for event and table sponsorships.

​Donors: They are accepting in-kind donations for the auction.

​Attendees: You can typically register through their official website above to secure a seat or a full table.



~Amy Manley, LICSWA

When communication starts to feel like a stressful game of charades, it's time to try another game: Couples Counseling.B...
04/10/2026

When communication starts to feel like a stressful game of charades, it's time to try another game: Couples Counseling.

But Seriously...

We've all been there: a simple request turns into a complex puzzle. Is it the dishes? The trash? The tone? The implication?

Couples counseling isn't just about fighting (though that happens too). It's about finding better ways to talk—and better ways to listen.

Every relationship is a mix of two different languages, histories, and communication styles.

It's Time for an Interpreter.

A therapist can act as that interpreter, helping you both:

Stop Assuming, Start Asking: Replace mind-reading with real communication.

Translate "Tone" into "Needs": Understand what your partner is really trying to say, even when they say it clumsily.

Find Common Language: Learn to express your feelings in a way your partner can hear.

Don't wait until you're communicating solely through Post-it notes (and even then, only on good days). Let's talk.
-AB

Address

400 S. Jefferson Suite 200
Spokane, WA
99204

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm

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