Renteria Counseling and Wellness

The Holidays are drawing near. For many of us, this can be extremely stressful. At a time that is expected to be filled with joy, many struggle with feelings of grief and loss, being overwhelmed by changes in routine, being around unsupportive family, and many other issues that pop up this time of year. Because this time of year can be difficult, it's important to put in place some self-care strategies to help cope as you navigate through the holidays in a healthy way. 1. Set realistic expectations.  If attending three holiday parties in one weekend seems exhausting, give yourself permission to only go to one or two (or none). If planning the holiday meal is too overwhelming, ask for help. Create a reasonable budget for gifts, and don't exceed it (even if that budget is $0.00). Keeping your expectations for the season realistic will allow you to resist the pressures that the season can bring. 2. It's okay to feel sad or lonely. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, o...

So you've probably heard all about how you need to be engaging in self-care, right? It is   pretty important part of your mental health. But what exactly does self-care entail? How do we make it a part of our every day life? I'm here to answer some questions and bust some myths so that we can demystify self-care and make it something real and meaningful for your everyday life. In this post, be prepared to explore the nitty gritty about self-care, like how it does not equate to having wine and watching real housewives (but it can look like that sometimes), and how it doesn't have to cost you money (really, it doesn't!), and how self-care can look different for everyone (it's individualized!). Let's get started: Myth #1: Self-Care is just Treatin' Yo'Self This one is a big one! I often talk with my clients about the difference between self-care and self-pampering. They are not the same! Pampering yourself might mean getting your nails done, stopping t...

Last month, we discussed the first six of the Mental Health All-Stars. In this post, we'll continue exploring these areas of self-care that give us the armor to stand up against depression and anxiety. 7. Healthy Diet Nutrition plays SUCH an important role in mental health and wellness. In many ways, the food you eat influences the function of your brain and mood. There is lots of research showing that a healthy diet is just as important to mental health as it is to physical health. A low-quality diet that's high in refined sugars can really impact depression and anxiety. To reap the most benefits of nutrition for mental health, focus on a balanced diet that is nutrient-dense. Research shows that diets high in these vitamins pack the biggest mental health punch: B Vitamins, Iron, Zinc, and Omega-3s. If you feel you may be nutrient deficient, be sure to have a chat with your primary care doctor! It's helpful to approach mental health care from all angles. Don't unde...

I borrowed this super cute comic from iamhoneydill.com, which is an awesome webcomic if you haven't checked it out. I love this comic, and share it frequently with my clients. Depression and anxiety can be so debilitating. It sucks our energy and our motivation, it tells us we can't when we want to believe we can, and it can make us feel so, so small. It's difficult to find that inner-strength when depression and anxiety have their grip. Normal activities feel so much more exhausting, scary, or impossible. I find that many of my clients feel empowered when they are able to access the ways in which they can take back control of their lives, even if it's in just a small area. In this blog post, we'll go over each of these "Mental Health All Stars" to explore how you can better access tools to fight back in the battle with depression and anxiety. We'll start with half of the All Stars this week. Stay tuned for the next post to learn about the second...

Hello and welcome! I'm so excited to be starting this blog! Here, I hope to keep my clients and followers up to date on important news about my practice, as well as provide some useful information about mental health topics. I'd love to share with you a little about me and my practice to get us started. I've been providing therapy services for children and adults in the Louisville community for five years now. My experiences include working in residential treatment, addiction, foster care, community mental health, and now private practice. In September of this year, Renteria Counseling Services will officially be opening its doors to begin serving our community! My practice will be operating out of the beautiful offices of b.mindful Louisville , which is conveniently located just off the Watterson on Goldsmith Ln. Renteria Counseling Services will specialize in treating trauma, depression, and anxiety in adolescents and adults. I'm so happy to be starting my...