John Opalka MA. LPC.

06/08/2026

Did you know I see clients till 8pm. I have some evening appointments available. Call 417-501-507 or
www.focusedcounseling.org to schedule!

05/27/2026

Some Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy:

1) you feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety
2) you are struggling with fear or confidence
3) you are experiencing relationship challenges.

So many people wait to do counseling and by that time things are worse. Reach out and let me help.
www.focusedcounseling.org

05/22/2026

Happy Friday everyone! You made it through the week. I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

After the holiday, I would encourage you to do a mental health check. Spring and summer can be a great time to focus on your mental health. Reach out today if I could be of help.
www.focusedcounseling.org

Professional counseling service in Springfield, MO for individuals, teens, 20-somethings, and adults. Confidential sessions via in-office or telehealth.

05/16/2026

Fact!

05/10/2026

“…since the sun is going to come up anyway, and I’m a person, I get another chance everyday the sun comes up”
-Bill Murray on not completing su***de

05/07/2026

Natural life hacks: Tired of caffeine, energy drinks or medications? Test these out to see how you feel.

04/30/2026

Good afternoon. Convenient evening and after-school appointments are available. If you're facing challenges with depression, anxiety, or other life issues, please feel free to contact me at 417-501-5057 or

Professional counseling service in Springfield, MO for individuals, adolescents, 20-somethings, and adults. Confidential sessions via in-office or telehealth.

04/22/2026

Stressful day or week? Feeling overwhelmed? Anxious? Try a couple of these.

04/10/2026

Are you lying in bed with a racing heart, shallow breathing, and a completely overwhelmed nervous system, desperately trying to calm down but feeling completely trapped in your own body?

You don't need a heavy prescription sedative. You need to mechanically manually trigger your brain's biological reset button.

Functional neurology utilizes a profoundly simple, scientifically backed maneuver known as the Basic Exercise (pioneered by Stanley Rosenberg). Your eye movements are directly, neurologically linked to the suboccipital muscles at the very base of your skull. These are the exact muscles that physically surround and compress your Vagus Nerve.

By lying flat, keeping your head perfectly still, and looking with only your eyes as far to the right as possible for 30 to 60 seconds, you mechanically stretch these deep cranial tissues. This physical movement forces the locked muscles to release, immediately sending a massive parasympathetic signal to your brainstem. You will involuntarily yawn, swallow, or sigh—the biological confirmation that your nervous system has violently shifted out of "fight or flight" and into deep relaxation.

It acts as a direct, mechanical override switch for severe anxiety.

04/09/2026

Spring- The perfect time to try this out. What thing are you going to try? Pay attention to how it makes you feel.