I encourage everyone who suffers from PTSD, trauma, loss and grief to seek professional
behavioral or mental healthcare counseling and therapy. Consider it to be an important aspect
of healing the mental and emotional areas of your life which in turn has positive effects on your
Spiritual and physical well-being. For reference, I also encourage you research the differences
and similarities between behavioral or mental health and healthcare.
Professional Counseling
Below are the types of counseling I have used and the benefits I received from each one. There are many other benefits as well, and I encourage you to research, explore and discover what each type can provide to you.
Group Counseling: Helped me relate to and share with others on the same needs and issues in a confidential environment. It gave me a sense of community and provided collaborators who could offer mutual support to one another.
Family Counseling: Helped me find healthier ways of functioning as a family and appreciate everyone’s way of life, needs and circumstances.
Marriage/Partner Counseling: Helped us work better together as a couple dealing with unique and intense family challenges. We gained a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s needs and desires, and it assisted us working through partnering and parenting differences.
Individual Counseling: Supported self-awareness, helped me understand the issues I faced, provided coping skills, and offered someone to talk to who understood and appreciated the challenges and circumstances I was dealing with as a parent, partner and caretaker.
Re-programming Your Conscious and Sub-conscious mind:
Conscious Mind: The conscious part of your brain processes thousands of bits per second. The conscious mind communicates to the outside world and the inner-self through physical movement, writing, pictures, speaking, and thoughts. It includes feelings, perceptions, sensations, memories, and fantasies.
Tips: Use daily positive affirmations and mantras, focus on what makes you happy, practice mindfulness, journal, write a letter of forgiveness to yourself and others, and write a letter of love to yourself and others.
Sub-Conscious Mind: The sub-conscious part of your brain processes millions of bits per second. The sub-conscious mind functions without awareness and you do not actively have control. It is in charge of our recent memories and is continually connected to the unconscious mind. An example is dreams (conscious mind is asleep, sub-conscious mind is awake).
Tips:
- Live out daily affirmations and mantras – actually incorporate the actions into your life; Example: “I am a loving being” – go be a loving being with your actions every day
- Use daily mantras
- Consider various techniques such as; Life Improving Internal Focus Technique (LIIFT) or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping.
Have fun, laugh, smile and hug a lot:
“Do what makes you happy” is a great phrase we have all heard. God wants you to be happy and humor brings happiness to many. Laughter is actually medicine for your Soul, mind and body. Happiness and joy are very underrated. Hugs cure. (Note: God celebrates your happiness!)
Tips: Laugh, hug and engage in fun activities for yourself and with others every day.
Chase your dreams; follow your passions and do what fulfills you and brings you joy
Take actions to make happen and do what you dream of, or wish you did.
Tip: Journal what you have always been passionate about in your life and what you have always dreamed of doing with your life. Then write out simple steps to pursue what you journaled.
Examples: Take dance or art lessons, write a book, try public speaking, become a teacher, support animal rescue, go on a dream a vacation where you would like to live, pursue a sport, or learn to fly, sew, sing, play a musical instrument, design an invention, take a class or study a new subject, etc.
Exercise the creative part of your brain (supports intuition)
For everyone, particularly if you are a left brain type, participate in activities that stimulate the creative side of your brain.
Tip: Pick a new creative activity each month and pursue this activity 1-3 times per week.
Examples: Art: paint, draw, sculpt, craft projects; Music: listen, write, sing; Dance; Design an interior space; Watch shows, documentaries or movies on creative activities then try them, etc.
Required Disclaimer: The information below is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical health care professional before making any health care, nutritional/dietary or exercise changes. Always seek the advice of a behavioral health care professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental condition. Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and is his or her sole responsibility.