Life is a journey full of possibilities. How will you choose to live it?

Quote of the Week

“Relationships that can’t hold vulnerability can never reach their full potential”

-Unknown

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Sometimes it can be difficult to feel completely free from a toxic or abusive relationship. The first step is to recognize it for what it is and what it is not.
Sometimes it can be difficult to feel completely free from a toxic or abusive relationship. The first step is to recognize it for what it is and what it is not.
We may not have a parenting handbook (even thought that would be so awesome), but we can create some guidelines for ourselves. Here are a few that can be very beneficial for creating an emotionally secure environment for our children.
We may not have a parenting handbook (even thought that would be so awesome), but we can create some guidelines for ourselves. Here are a few that can be very beneficial for creating an emotionally secure environment for our children.
Are your expectations reasonable or unrealistic?
Are your expectations reasonable or unrealistic?
Hello my name is Brandy and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cypress, Texas. I am currently accepting new in-person and virtual clients. I provide couples, family, and individual therapy for ages 11yrs+. I also provide Women's Empower
Hello my name is Brandy and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cypress, Texas. I am currently accepting new in-person and virtual clients. I provide couples, family, and individual therapy for ages 11yrs+. I also provide Women's Empowerment Groups and Mom Groups various times throughout the year. I do not accept insurance; however, I can provide you with a Superbill (receipt) to provide to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Check out my website for more information and to book your first appointment. https://brandybrocktherapy.squarespace.com/
Fear is not always a "bad" thing. Fear can be helpful in so many ways. However, when you stay in the fear and do not make efforts to change, you are not reaching your full potential. The fear of the unknown can be strong, but it can also fe
Fear is not always a "bad" thing. Fear can be helpful in so many ways. However, when you stay in the fear and do not make efforts to change, you are not reaching your full potential. The fear of the unknown can be strong, but it can also feel rewarding when you realize what you are capable of. If you are wanting to make changes in your life and don't know where to start, reach out for help from a professional. https://brandybrocktherapy.squarespace.com/
When you feel like you are ready for a change, take some time to write down how you would like your life to be in the future. Focus on accomplishing your goals and building new habits. If you aren't sure where to start, maybe seek out professional su
When you feel like you are ready for a change, take some time to write down how you would like your life to be in the future. Focus on accomplishing your goals and building new habits. If you aren't sure where to start, maybe seek out professional support. https://brandybrocktherapy.squarespace.com/
It is not always our actions that mold our children, but it is the way that we respond to our imperfections. Children don't need to see a perfect parent. They need to see how their imperfect parent overcomes obstacles.
It is not always our actions that mold our children, but it is the way that we respond to our imperfections. Children don't need to see a perfect parent. They need to see how their imperfect parent overcomes obstacles.
Make memories with your children. Name brand clothes, expensive toys, lots of presents...they will change over time. The memories we tend to hold on to that give us strength, resiliency, and motivation are the ones where someone made us feel importan
Make memories with your children. Name brand clothes, expensive toys, lots of presents...they will change over time. The memories we tend to hold on to that give us strength, resiliency, and motivation are the ones where someone made us feel important, capable, and knowledgeable. They are the ones that demonstrate unconditional love.
As parents, should want to protect our children from the challenges of life. However, we must also realize that there is only so much that we can protect them from. Help them prepare for life by giving them the tools to problem solve. Teach them that
As parents, should want to protect our children from the challenges of life. However, we must also realize that there is only so much that we can protect them from. Help them prepare for life by giving them the tools to problem solve. Teach them that they do not have to go through life alone. Show them that strength to endure comes from within. And most of all....believe in them so much that they believe in themselves.
Are you feeling distant from someone you care about? Do you want to build a stronger connection? Connection goes hand in had with vulnerability. Vulnerability can be hard, but so is maintaining a distant relationship.
Are you feeling distant from someone you care about? Do you want to build a stronger connection? Connection goes hand in had with vulnerability. Vulnerability can be hard, but so is maintaining a distant relationship.
It can be easy to compare ourselves to other parents...especially with technology and social media nowadays. Comparing ourselves to others is unfair to us and to our children. We shouldn't have unreasonable expectations of ourselves and we shouldn't
It can be easy to compare ourselves to other parents...especially with technology and social media nowadays. Comparing ourselves to others is unfair to us and to our children. We shouldn't have unreasonable expectations of ourselves and we shouldn't expect our children to behave or act a certain way. Parenting involves constantly adjusting and problem solving in the moment.
When we raise our children to be afraid of us or of the consequences, we start to silence them and teach them to live life out of fear. Instead, maybe build their confidence and teach them how powerful and strong they are to make better choices.
When we raise our children to be afraid of us or of the consequences, we start to silence them and teach them to live life out of fear. Instead, maybe build their confidence and teach them how powerful and strong they are to make better choices.
Yelling is our way of being heard. However, yelling at children can create fear, cause them not to trust you, feel like they do not have a voice, and so much more. Take a breath before you speak. What is it that you truly want to get across and why?
Yelling is our way of being heard. However, yelling at children can create fear, cause them not to trust you, feel like they do not have a voice, and so much more. Take a breath before you speak. What is it that you truly want to get across and why? How do you feel when someone yells at you? Do you feel receptive to hear what they have to say or do you go into fight, flight, or freeze mode?
Children have tantrums for many reasons. Many times, tantrums are a child's way of telling you that they do not feel like they are being heard and they do not know how else to tell you the magnitude of their emotions.
Children have tantrums for many reasons. Many times, tantrums are a child's way of telling you that they do not feel like they are being heard and they do not know how else to tell you the magnitude of their emotions.
As adults, it can be easy to tune out what our children say and feel like they are small, unimportant topics. Remind yourself that they have not experienced the world like you. They have only lived for so many years and have been sheltered and protec
As adults, it can be easy to tune out what our children say and feel like they are small, unimportant topics. Remind yourself that they have not experienced the world like you. They have only lived for so many years and have been sheltered and protected by you. Give them the time and the floor to talk about what is going on in their world and what is important to them.
As parents, we often feel like our children do not want to listen to what we have to say whether it is following the rules, taking our advice, or teaching them new things. Our children do not only learn from what we tell them. They learn from what th
As parents, we often feel like our children do not want to listen to what we have to say whether it is following the rules, taking our advice, or teaching them new things. Our children do not only learn from what we tell them. They learn from what they see. What are you modeling for your child? How often do you tell them to listen to what you say, but don't do what you do?
If you feel like you may be in a toxic or abusive relationship and do not know what to do, reach out for help. Maybe talk with a friend, a family member or contact a professional. You do not have to stay in the same toxic or abusive cycle. https://
If you feel like you may be in a toxic or abusive relationship and do not know what to do, reach out for help. Maybe talk with a friend, a family member or contact a professional. You do not have to stay in the same toxic or abusive cycle. https://brandybrocktherapy.squarespace.com
Do you feel like someone in your life is not changing or growing? Maybe take some time to hear what is going on in their lives and validate how they feel. Feeling like someone hears you and can empathize with you is so much more healing that we reali
Do you feel like someone in your life is not changing or growing? Maybe take some time to hear what is going on in their lives and validate how they feel. Feeling like someone hears you and can empathize with you is so much more healing that we realize.
In any relationship, whether it be a couple, friendship, or parent/child relationship, we tend to constantly thing about how to respond to someone rather than just listen and be curious. We do not always have to solve others' problems of give them ad
In any relationship, whether it be a couple, friendship, or parent/child relationship, we tend to constantly thing about how to respond to someone rather than just listen and be curious. We do not always have to solve others' problems of give them advice. Many times, people just want to feel heard.
Relationships can be challenged when we are faced with hard circumstances like illness, loss of job, depression, financial burdens, etc. We all have a choice in our relationship to either walk through the struggle TOGETHER or let our partner walk thr
Relationships can be challenged when we are faced with hard circumstances like illness, loss of job, depression, financial burdens, etc. We all have a choice in our relationship to either walk through the struggle TOGETHER or let our partner walk through it alone. If your partner is struggling, hold their hand and help them through it. You have the choice to love them so much to share the challenges of life.
Sometimes it can be difficult to feel completely free from a toxic or abusive relationship. The first step is to recognize it for what it is and what it is not. We may not have a parenting handbook (even thought that would be so awesome), but we can create some guidelines for ourselves. Here are a few that can be very beneficial for creating an emotionally secure environment for our children. Are your expectations reasonable or unrealistic? Hello my name is Brandy and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cypress, Texas. I am currently accepting new in-person and virtual clients. I provide couples, family, and individual therapy for ages 11yrs+. I also provide Women's Empower Fear is not always a "bad" thing. Fear can be helpful in so many ways. However, when you stay in the fear and do not make efforts to change, you are not reaching your full potential. The fear of the unknown can be strong, but it can also fe When you feel like you are ready for a change, take some time to write down how you would like your life to be in the future. Focus on accomplishing your goals and building new habits. If you aren't sure where to start, maybe seek out professional su It is not always our actions that mold our children, but it is the way that we respond to our imperfections. Children don't need to see a perfect parent. They need to see how their imperfect parent overcomes obstacles. Make memories with your children. Name brand clothes, expensive toys, lots of presents...they will change over time. The memories we tend to hold on to that give us strength, resiliency, and motivation are the ones where someone made us feel importan As parents, should want to protect our children from the challenges of life. However, we must also realize that there is only so much that we can protect them from. Help them prepare for life by giving them the tools to problem solve. Teach them that Are you feeling distant from someone you care about? Do you want to build a stronger connection? Connection goes hand in had with vulnerability. Vulnerability can be hard, but so is maintaining a distant relationship. It can be easy to compare ourselves to other parents...especially with technology and social media nowadays. Comparing ourselves to others is unfair to us and to our children. We shouldn't have unreasonable expectations of ourselves and we shouldn't When we raise our children to be afraid of us or of the consequences, we start to silence them and teach them to live life out of fear. Instead, maybe build their confidence and teach them how powerful and strong they are to make better choices. Yelling is our way of being heard. However, yelling at children can create fear, cause them not to trust you, feel like they do not have a voice, and so much more. Take a breath before you speak. What is it that you truly want to get across and why? Children have tantrums for many reasons. Many times, tantrums are a child's way of telling you that they do not feel like they are being heard and they do not know how else to tell you the magnitude of their emotions. As adults, it can be easy to tune out what our children say and feel like they are small, unimportant topics. Remind yourself that they have not experienced the world like you. They have only lived for so many years and have been sheltered and protec As parents, we often feel like our children do not want to listen to what we have to say whether it is following the rules, taking our advice, or teaching them new things. Our children do not only learn from what we tell them. They learn from what th If you feel like you may be in a toxic or abusive relationship and do not know what to do, reach out for help. Maybe talk with a friend, a family member or contact a professional. You do not have to stay in the same toxic or abusive cycle. https:// Do you feel like someone in your life is not changing or growing? Maybe take some time to hear what is going on in their lives and validate how they feel. Feeling like someone hears you and can empathize with you is so much more healing that we reali In any relationship, whether it be a couple, friendship, or parent/child relationship, we tend to constantly thing about how to respond to someone rather than just listen and be curious. We do not always have to solve others' problems of give them ad Relationships can be challenged when we are faced with hard circumstances like illness, loss of job, depression, financial burdens, etc. We all have a choice in our relationship to either walk through the struggle TOGETHER or let our partner walk thr

Books

Addictions

The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcome Problems Caused by Pornography by Wendy Maltz LCSW DST and Larry Maltz LCSW

Anger

Beyond Anger: A Guide for Men by Thomas J. Harbin

The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner

Anxiety

Unf*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, ACN (Explicit)

Childhood Trauma

Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb and Christine Musello

The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment by Babette Rothschild

Confidence

The Magic is in You by Coolin Hosten and Brooke Vitale

Couples

Eight Dates: Essential Conversation for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman Ph.D., Julie Schwartz Gottman Ph.D., and Doug Abrams

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John Gottman Ph.D. and Nan Silver

Emotions

Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day by Jaime Lee Curtis (Ideal for identifying emotions with younger children)

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage by Brene Brown (Audible)

First Responders and Families

The Wolf was Not Sleeping by Avril McDonald (Ideal for children of EMT families)

Grief

Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen

Parenting

Get Out of My Life, but First Could you Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D.

The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Self-Awareness

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

You Got This!