Conversations with Crosswinds Counseling

Many people find themselves stuck in a negative cycle of communication because they don't know how to communicate effectively with each other. Curtis Smith and Shanese Passmore, MA, LMFTA explore the negative cycle of communication from an emotion-focused therapy perspective and the different ways to break the negative cycle. 

Rest is more than just a nap, a break, or a day off here and there. Curtis Smith and Grant Anderson, MA, LMHC, discuss what rhythm of rest is, how to get into a good rhythm of rest, and how it can help our daily lives. 

Emotions are a normal part of everyday life, but they can be hard to regulate for some. Shaun Hardie, MA, LMHCA walks Curtis Smith through self-regulation and how it can be the key to healthy behavior.

So, what the heck is "Polyvagal Theory," and how does it work? In this episode, Stephen Weaver, MSEd, LMFT, walks Curtis Smith through the "Polyvagal Theory" and how it can help individuals better understand and manage their body's response to stress and trauma.

If you have ever tried to make or break a habit, you know how hard it can be to change your behavior. Michael Megonnell, MA, LMHC, discusses with Curtis Smith how changing your thoughts and motivating yourself, while hard, can benefit one's life. 

Sometimes life can be fast-paced, hectic, and overwhelming. Stephen Weaver, MSEd, LMFT, talks to Curtis Smith about why taking time to slow down is so important and how it can help mitigate feelings of being overwhelmed.

Co-parenting counseling aims to help parents develop new methods to interact with one another, regain balance in their lives, and discover new parenting strategies. Jenna Garcia, MA, LMFT, ATR, talks to Curtis Smith about the positive outcomes of co-parenting counseling on relationships and children. 

The power of an apology can improve both the receiver's and the giver's self-esteem while also providing closure. Phil Erichsen, MA, LMHC, sits down with Curtis Smith and discusses the five steps of a good and genuine apology. 

Inner healing is a journey that many people go through. Susanne Foster, MA, LMHCA, talks to Curtis Smith about inner healing and what tools counselors use to teach the concept of changing negative patterns of thought. 

What is EMDR therapy? Grant Anderson, MA, LMHC, walks Curtis Smith through what eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is, what it looks like, and how it may help someone. 

Social media has made it possible to stay connected to family and friends and can improve one's sense of belonging. However, social media can also lead to stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Tessa Duncan, MSW, LSW, talks to Curtis Smith about the pros and cons of social media and ways to limit one's social media consumption. 

Discovering your value not only helps promote healthy living, but it can also help you strengthen your relationships with those around you. In this episode, Lynn Albin, MA, LMHC, and Curtis Smith discuss women recognizing their value and why recognizing your value is important. 

The mental load refers to the invisible, non-tangible tasks that are part of running a household. Jenna Garcia, MA, LMFT, ATR, walks Curtis Smith through what mental load is and gives some tips on how to manage your mental load and how to work with your partner on your mental load. 

The stories we tell ourselves shape how we experience the world. They contain our feelings, hopes, dreams, desires, fears, worries, and much more. Michael Megonnell, MA, LMHC, talks with Curtis Smith about how stories are a way to share who you are.

As the days grow shorter in autumn and winter, some people may start feeling sad and tired but then bounce back in the spring when daylight hours increase. Those who experience this might have seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Brendon Lengacher, MA, LMHCA, and Curtis Smith dive into how seasonal depression can be triggered by the change of seasons and some tips to cope with seasonal depression.

Are you getting ready for the holiday season and feeling overwhelmed already? You're definitely not alone. Everyone experiences some level of stress during this time of year. Phil Erichsen, MA, LMHC, talks to Curtis Smith on ways to help cope with the holiday stress so you and your family can find more happiness and peace during the holiday season.

If you are considering counseling, you may wonder what you should expect or how to prepare for counseling. It can feel overwhelming, but understanding how it works can help you feel more comfortable when you go. Heather Boise, LMHC, talks to Curtis Smith about what to expect from your first session, what questions to ask your counselor, and more.

Teens using social media have skyrocketed over the last 10 years, with many social media platforms becoming an integral part of their lives. Unfortunately, the effects of social media on teens can contribute to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Leanda Weimer, LCSW, LSSW, and Curtis Smith discuss social media anxiety in teens and what some best practices are to help teens navigate social media positively and responsibly.

Gratefulness can positively impact your mental health, relationships, and emotional well-being. Tina Grzesiek, MEd, LMHC, dives into gratefulness with Curtis Smith and how practicing gratitude can improve your overall mental health.

Holistic healing in counseling focuses on a person's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Corrine White, MFT discusses the topic of holistic healing and why it can be beneficial for some.

Healthy attachments with other people are essential to your mental health. Rachel Leonard, MA LPC, talks Curtis Smith through recognizing insecure attachment and building stronger, healthier connections.

Parenting is not just a task; it’s a relationship and like any relationship, at times, it can be challenging. Amber Rose Habig, MA, LPC, talks to Curtis Smith about relational parenting and how relational parenting can help you connect, understand, and discipline your child.

Suicide prevention is important every day of the year, but National Suicide Prevention Week can give us an opportunity to shine a special, encouraging light on this topic that affects us all. Destina Easley, MA, LMHCA, sits down with Curtis Smith to not only talk about suicide prevention but to also give a hopeful message that help is available and suicide can be prevented. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, including self-harm or thoughts of suicide, please contact 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 in the US. You can call, text or chat online at www.988lifeline.org.

You are ready to start counseling with Crosswinds Counseling, now what? Audrey Trout, Office Coordinator and Scheduler, talks with Curtis Smith and outlines how to schedule an appointment with a Crosswinds Counselor. 

Mindy Tiburcio, MA, LMHC, CSAYC, walks Curtis through Adaptive Information Processing Theory (AIP) and how, according to AIP, our brain has the natural capacity to heal in a healthy and adaptive manner under the right circumstances. Trauma is stored and stuck in the brain's neural network. The goal of AIP is to add adaptive behaviors to the neural network. This is accomplished through bilateral stimulation, a process that creates new neural pathways and the ability to access the stored trauma. 

Connecting with and supporting others is essential in one's life. That’s why identifying with other people's struggles and supporting them is so important. Clinical Supervisor Jenna Garcia, MA, LMFT, ATR, talks with Curtis Smith about how we can build empathy for others, understand them more, and connect with them, which can help boost your resilience and ability to bounce back after challenges.

Mediation has a single goal, to help bring a couple or a family together and come to a decision. This goal is not just about being consensus but for each party to gain a genuine understanding of and acknowledge the other person’s way of seeing things. Lora Friedrich, MSW, PhD, LCSW, walks Curtis Smith through how this mutual understanding leads to mutual decisions about the next step – be that the future of a relationship or the outcome of some other problem. 

A new school year is an excellent opportunity for a fresh start, but some parents and kids may be experiencing greater levels of anxiety and stress tackling the transition back to school. Karen Albrecht, M.Ed., talks to Curtis Smith about how to have a positive back-to-school transition for both parents and children.

Mental Health Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer support to employees struggling with personal and work-related problems. Shawn Shepherd, MSM, Crosswinds Counseling's Business Developer, talks to Curtis Smith about Crosswinds' Mental Health EAP and how it can help both employees and employers. 

Wisdom is acquired through many life experiences and by exercising sound judgment and understanding. Zach Herber, LMHC and Curtis Smith talk more about this topic and how wisdom and counseling work hand in hand.

Are you struggling to know yourself? Do you wonder who you are? Does something need to change in your life, but you don't know what? Stephen Weaver, MSEd, LMFT, dives into these types of questions with Curtis Smith as he talks about the importance of knowing yourself.

Feeling worried or unsure about what to expect from therapy is common. MaryClare Donaldson, MSW, LSW, NBC-HWC, sits down with Curtis Smith to discuss what therapy is and what to expect in therapy. 

“A picture is worth a thousand words” This saying shows just how powerful the arts and creative expression can be. Art therapy harnesses this power to benefit people experiencing mental health issues. Learn more about art therapy and how it works as Katie Cooley, MA, LMHC, talks to Curtis Smith. 

Even when people get along well, stress and daily life can cause conflicts that seem difficult or impossible to resolve. Curtis Smith and Shon Ridenour, MA, LMHCA, dive into how counseling can help people improve their relationships. 

Every child is unique and different. As are their parents and their parenting style. Curtis Smith discusses how parenting styles play an essential role in a child’s overall well-being with Esther Awoyinka, MSW, LCSW. 

Technology allows people to be more connected than ever, but this may come at a price. Curtis Smith talks with Grant Anderson, MA, LMHC, on how technology affects our mental health and why you might want to cut back on your screen time.

When it comes to our mental health, it is difficult for many people to admit they need help and then to actually seek out that help—it’s sometimes even more difficult for men. Curtis Smith talks to Brendon Lengacher, MA, LMHCA, about counseling for men and why it can be helpful for their mental well-being. 

Challenges with anxiety and depression are common during pregnancy and the first 12 months of parenthood. In this episode, Curtis Smith talks with Kyla Neely, MSW, LCSW, about perinatal counseling and how perinatal and some of the mental health challenges that can arise for men and women during this beautiful and stressful time of their lives.

It can be hard for adults to understand, sort through, and communicate their feelings. Now imagine how hard it must be for a child experiencing these emotions for the first time. Curtis Smith sits down with Danna Hamilton, MS, LMHC, to discuss the benefits of child counseling.

Forgiveness is a bigger concept than most people realize, especially when it comes to forgiveness in therapy. In this episode, Curtis Smith talks to Tim Gilleand, MA, LMHC, about how forgiveness benefits more than the person being forgiven.