Monarch Counseling & Wellness

07/29/2026

Have you ever caught yourself saying:

“It wasn’t really that bad.”
“Other people have been through worse.”
“At least they never hit me.”
“I’m probably just being dramatic.”

Minimizing our experiences is often more than simply denying what happened. From an Internal Family Systems—or IFS—perspective, the part of us that downplays pain may be trying to protect us from emotions, memories, or realizations that once felt too overwhelming to face.

While minimization can help us compartmentalize and keep functioning during difficult moments, it can also prevent us from recognizing emotional abuse, seeking medical attention, setting boundaries, or getting support for past trauma.

Our latest blog explores:

✨ Why we minimize painful experiences
✨ How childhood, family, religious, and generational beliefs can shape this response
✨ When minimization may be protective
✨ When it can keep us stuck or unsafe
✨ How individual therapy can help us approach these protective parts with curiosity and compassion

Your experience does not have to be the worst experience imaginable to matter. You are allowed to take your pain seriously.

Read the full blog:
https://monarchcw.com/why-we-minimize-our-experiences/

Monarch Counseling & Wellness provides trauma-informed individual therapy in Starkville and Columbus, Mississippi, as well as through telehealth across the state.

Understand the impact of minimizing your experiences and learn why it is important to acknowledge your feelings fully.

07/27/2026

Calling all EMDR-trained clinicians! 👋

Looking for a space to sharpen your EMDR skills, talk through complex cases, and connect with other professionals who understand the work?

Monarch Counseling & Wellness is launching a bi-weekly EMDR Consultation Group for practitioners beginning Thursday, September 3rd at 1:00 PM.

This group is designed for clinicians who have completed an EMDR training and want:

✔️ Collaborative case consultation
✔️ Support with challenging clinical situations
✔️ Opportunities to build confidence and strengthen EMDR skills
✔️ Consultation hours that may count toward EMDR certification

Attend in person in Columbus or via telehealth.

💲 $40 per session
⚠️ Limited spots available

To register, contact Janae Robinson at [email protected].

Please share with an EMDR-trained colleague who may be interested!

07/24/2026

💛 Happy Parents Day! 💛

Today, we are celebrating the parents of the therapists and staff at Monarch Counseling & Wellness—the people who raised us, encouraged us, loved us through every season, and helped shape us into who we are today.

The compassion, strength, patience, and care we bring into our work were first modeled for many of us at home. We are deeply grateful for the lessons you taught us, the sacrifices you made, and the love that continues to support us.

To our parents and to all those who have filled a parental role: thank you for helping us grow. Your influence reaches further than you may ever know.

Happy Parents Day from all of us at Monarch Counseling & Wellness! 🦋

07/22/2026

Is it unhealthy to depend on your partner? Not necessarily.

Healthy relationships are not built on complete independence. They are often strengthened by trust, emotional attunement, support, and knowing you can rely on one another during difficult seasons.

The problem is not needing your partner. The concern is when support turns into codependence—when one person repeatedly ignores their own needs, takes responsibility for another adult’s emotions or choices, or loses their sense of self within the relationship.

Our latest blog explores:

• The difference between healthy dependence and codependence
• Why humans are biologically wired for connection
• What healthy interdependence can look like
• Common signs of codependent relationship patterns
• How individual and couples therapy can help

You can care deeply for your partner without abandoning yourself.

Read the full blog:
https://monarchcw.com/dependence-vs-codependence-in-relationships/

Discover why dependence vs. codependence in relationships matters for healthy emotional responses and connections with loved ones.

07/20/2026

🌿 Please join us in welcoming Berrell Cobb, P-LPC, to Monarch Counseling & Wellness!

Berrell is passionate about creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. He works collaboratively with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and major life transitions. Berrell also has extensive experience supporting people impacted by systemic racism and those with lived experience of incarceration.

Berrell is now accepting new clients for in-person appointments at our Starkville and Columbus offices, with evening availability Monday through Thursday.

Learn more about Berrell and request an appointment:
https://monarchcw.com/therapist/berrell-cobb/

📞 (662) 435-5703
📧 [email protected]

Help us give Berrell a warm Monarch welcome! 🦋

07/17/2026

✨ Fun Friday Spotlight: Amanda Coleman! ✨

When she’s not supporting clients or helping lead Monarch Counseling & Wellness, co-owner and therapist Amanda Coleman loves making memories and seeking out new adventures with her family!

From celebrating the Fourth of July on Moon Lake, to their very first trout fishing trip, to hitting the slopes in Breckenridge, Amanda and her family know how to enjoy quality time together in every season. 🎣🌊⛷️

We love sharing a glimpse of the people behind the therapist’s chair—and the moments, relationships, and adventures that help keep them grounded, connected, and refreshed. 🧡

07/15/2026

Summer can bring a lot of joy — beach trips, concerts, cookouts, pool days, and time with friends. But for those in recovery or exploring sobriety, summer can also bring extra challenges and temptation.

In our newest blog, Elizabeth Hawkins, LPC, shares honest, supportive insight on staying sober in the summer, including the importance of therapy, sober activities, support groups, and coping skills that can help make this season feel lighter.

Sobriety does not mean you have to stop living. It can be a chance to experience life more clearly, more intentionally, and with more freedom.

Read the full blog here:
https://monarchcw.com/staying-sober-in-the-summer/

Staying sober in the summer can be tough. Discover effective tips to help you enjoy your summer while maintaining your sobriety.

07/13/2026

💙 Community Resource Spotlight 💙

We know that many people are looking for safe, supportive spaces to process the stress, uncertainty, and emotions that can arise during challenging times.

Our friends at Clear Leaf Therapy & Consulting are offering a virtual therapy group for transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and questioning individuals in Tennessee and Mississippi. The group is designed to provide a supportive environment to process current events, reduce anxiety, build resilience, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

🗓️ Weekly on Wednesdays
💻 Virtual
📍 Open to participants in Tennessee and Mississippi

If you or someone you know may benefit, we encourage you to reach out to Clear Leaf Therapy & Consulting using the contact information on the flyer.

At Monarch Counseling & Wellness, we’re always happy to share community resources that expand access to mental health support. ❤️

07/10/2026

🎉 Big milestone for our newest four-legged team member! 🐾

We're so proud to share that Milo has officially completed Advanced Obedience Training! 🎓🐶

While many of you have already met Milo around the office, this is a huge step in his journey toward becoming a certified therapy dog. He's been "on the job" with Janae since he was just 6 weeks old, learning how to be calm, gentle, and comfortable in a counseling environment.

Advanced obedience is the first major milestone in that process. Up next, Milo will spend the next few months continuing to practice his skills before taking the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Once he passes, he'll begin specialized therapy dog training to prepare him for an even bigger role supporting clients in session.

Milo has already brought plenty of smiles, comfort, and the occasional laugh to our office, and we can't wait to watch him continue to grow into the incredible therapy dog we know he can be. 💙

Help us congratulate Milo on this accomplishment! 🦋🐾 We know this is just the beginning. 🎉

07/08/2026

Spring and summer can bring longer days, more energy, and fuller schedules — but for some people living with bipolar disorder, seasonal changes can also increase vulnerability to manic or hypomanic symptoms.

Mania is more than feeling motivated or productive. It can include decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive decisions, increased irritability, risky behavior, or feeling unusually energized in a way that feels different from your baseline.

For clients and families, knowing the early warning signs matters. Seasonal mood shifts do not mean something is “wrong” with you, but they are worth paying attention to — especially if spring or summer has brought mood changes in the past.

In our newest blog, co-owner and therapist, Amanda Coleman, explains why manic symptoms may increase during spring and summer, what warning signs to watch for, and when to reach out for support.

Read the full blog here:
https://monarchcw.com/seasonal-mania-bipolar-symptoms/

If you have noticed changes in your mood, sleep, energy, or behavior, you do not have to wait until things feel out of control to ask for help. Monarch Counseling & Wellness offers therapy in Starkville, Columbus, and online across Mississippi.

Get informed about seasonal mania and bipolar disorder. Learn how spring and summer may bring unique challenges for those affected.