Category: Uncategorized

Depressed? Differences between Clinical and Situational Depression

June 3

By Sarah Beardslee, LCPC

Note: Only a professional trained in recognizing and treating mental health diagnoses is qualified to diagnose someone, including yourself, with a mental health disorder. This post is for educational purposes, not for self-diagnosis. If you feel like you may struggle with these issues, seek out a qualified professional for clarity and help. 

The word “depression” is used in many ways throughout the world. People use the term “depression”  interchangeably with burnout, sadness, grief, or when having a bad day. This creates confusion for many when trying to determine whether they or someone they love is experiencing … Read more

Accessing Your Inner Relaxation Resources

May 3

By Sarah Beardslee, LCPC

In this previous post, I discussed how the imagination can help us feel empowered, calm, and confident or can bring anxiety, depressed mood, and insecurities. When you feel stuck with negative thoughts and images scrolling through your mind like an unending film reel, here are some things that may be helpful. 

Developing a Container

A mental container is something you create to hold all the distress, tension, and negative images that overwhelm and feel unhelpful to you. The mental container is not simply another way to dismiss, avoid, or ignore thoughts and emotions. It is … Read more

Mindful Imagining: Leveraging The Power of Your Inner World to Feel Different

March 12

By Sarah Beardslee, LCPC

Imagine – eating a favorite meal, hearing a favorite sound, smelling a favorite scent. You may notice your body connecting with such an image. Perhaps you smile as you imagine a funny story, feel warmth and comfort imagining a loved one, or your heart rate increases and muscles tighten when imagining something scary.

The imagination lets us explore our world in new ways. It allows us to create solutions, connect with things we cannot see. However, the imagination may also make us feel trapped within a world fueled by fears, insecurities, anger, or hopelessness. It can … Read more

Helping Kids Talk When They Are Struggling

December 29

It is no secret the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on people’s mental health. Kids of all ages have been affected, too. Their lives have been disrupted by changes in schedule and routine, as well as experiencing social isolation because of canceled activities and limited group contact.  Mental health treatment is available for kids of all ages, but we must have a pulse on what is going on with our kids so we can know when that type of help is needed.  It can be hard to get kids to open up, but below are some things we can … Read more

Teletherapy Available Across the State of Kansas

December 10

Real Life Counseling therapists are able to provide teletherapy, which means you can find hope and healing now with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your own home. If you are located in Kansas, you can connect with one of our gifted therapists today  and speak with someone who can help.

Contact us and get connected with a therapist who will schedule an initial video session with you, gather some information about you and your goals, and help you get where you want to go. Don’t hesitate any longer – we are here to help, and honored to walk … Read more

Find Hope

November 24

It has been a trying year. The effects of all the stressors we are under are weighing on us in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. As we enter this holiday season, many of us are struggling with depression, hopelessness and wondering if things are going to get better. Like many times in our lives, we just need someone to walk with us through tough times. If you or someone you love is in a dark place or just needs a little extra support, we would be happy to help. It is our honor to walk alongside people to help them find … Read more

Teaching and Modeling Resilience to Our Children in Tough Times

September 2

By Michelle Cunningham, LCP

We are going through a monumentally strange time in our lives right now. This is maybe the only thing that is utterly true at all times because everything else is shifting. A global pandemic has put it’s thumb on daily life and changed things we have taken for granted – face-to-face time with friends, family and acquaintances, work, school and now school sports. It’s all changing, stopping, or both, and it is hard. Potentially losing a year of team sports is going to be a challenge that we never planned to face.

While this is a … Read more

6 Free Sessions for those Affected by Racial Tensions

June 15

Real Life Counseling clinicians, in partnership with ROSE, Inc. (Reach Out 2 Someone Else, Inc.), are offering 6 free therapy sessions to those affected by racial tensions in our country. Many are struggling with grief over recent events, or live in fear of future violence and unrest. Others would like to understand their own reactions and/or how they can contribute to peace and reconciliation. We would invite anyone affected to take advantage of this offering regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Contact us with questions or to get started. You may fill out our contact form… Read more

Navigating Our Collective Trauma, Part 2: Dissociation and Reactivation

May 26

By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT

Even as reopening plans roll out all across our country and world, COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on our lives. The pandemic’s impact will likely continue to be felt for a number of months, if not years. As mentioned previously, it is not a stretch to say this virus and the resultant changes in our lives have functioned as a collective trauma we are all experiencing at once. Trauma is a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon, but one of the hallmarks of it is when we experience a sense of helplessness. At this point … Read more

Navigating Our Collective Trauma: Part 1

May 4

By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT

It is not a stretch to say we are undergoing a collective trauma now as this pandemic exerts its will on our lives in some pervasive ways. Even if it has not had an impact on us directly, the looming nature of the virus seems to be casting a dark cloud over us, keeping us from embracing hope for the immediate future, and at the very least reminding us of the inevitability of our own illness and death. As is often true with these sorts of happenings, we experience some of the effects now and we … Read more

Seeking Clinician for Derby Practice

May 4

Real Life Counseling is seeking a clinically licensed mental health clinician passionate about creating change in the lives of individuals, couples and families while impacting the community. We provide a flexible and rewarding environment in which clinicians can maximize creativity and focus on client care. Clinicians determine their own schedule, crafting a position that works for them while meeting their professional goals.

Interested applicants may contact us using the contact information below:

8911 E. Orme, Suite D, Wichita, KS 67207

(316) 425-7774

or use our contact form… Read more

Tips for Remaining Resilient during COVID-19

May 1

As COVID-19 starts to wear thin, we thought we might take this opportunity to relate some tips for staying resilient during this time. This is a difficult time for most of us in some way because life has been interrupted, there are added worries and we are restricted from our normal freedoms. Here’s some of advice from Real Life Counseling clinicians on navigating this pandemic and the resultant constraints placed upon us.

  • Take small doses of the news every day to stay informed.  Constant exposure to the news can increase worry, anxiety, and depression.
  • Take time to spend quality time
… Read more

Healthy Eating During Quarantine

April 23

By Maggie Thompson, LCMFT

During these stressful times, so many of us are struggling with over-eating, and we are not sure what to do about it. Let’s first discuss why, then discuss what we can do about it.

There are 4 eating styles that can be employed on any given day.  The first is Fuel Eating.  This is eating to give your body all the nutrition and support it needs to run at an optimal level.  The second is Fun Eating.  This is the eating we do to get pleasure.  The third is Fog Eating.  This is when a person … Read more

OCD Support Group Starts This Week

April 21

Location:  Online currently; future meetings will be held at Real Life Counseling Derby (1720 E. Osage, #200, Derby, Kansas).

Start Date:  April 22, 2020 from 7:00pm-8:30pm; Additional dates/times to follow.

Open to: Adults presenting with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, preferably currently in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) treatment.

Fee: Free

Contact: This peer support group will be facilitated by Shauna Meier, LSCSW.

If interested, please email Shauna or call (316)425-7774, ext. 3013.… Read more

Free Teletherapy for Healthcare Providers and Elderly Populations

April 14

Real Life Counseling clinicians are providing free teletherapy to populations affected by COVID-19 until July 1st. If you or someone you know is a healthcare provider on the front lines caring for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or affected by the virus in any way, or part of the elderly population with limited access to mental health services, we are offering teletherapy sessions with NO OUT-OF-POCKET COST TO OUR CLIENTS. Many insurance carriers are covering clients’ portion of the cost for teletherapy. If there is any out of pocket cost or those in these affected populations do not have … Read more

Financial Help for Therapy and Telehealth

April 1

The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges for everyone. We wanted to let everyone know we remain open and are providing services to those who need them. You might also want to know insurance companies have made provisions for telehealth during this time, including some insurance companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aetna waiving patient copays and coinsurance! Check with your insurance company about your specific plan and coverage, and let us know if you’d like to take advantage of telehealth. All of our providers are set up to provide these services in an effort to keep our community … Read more

Our Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and Government Recommendations

March 17

As we as a community are trying to limit the spread of disease, we at Real Life Counseling strongly encourage all of our clients to abide by the government’s recommendations to avoid going in public if possible, and avoid gathering with others at this time. Additionally, if you are having any symptoms of illness at all, please stay home. Our providers are working to continue holding sessions if at all possible. Your provider will contact you about their plan for seeing clients, including utilizing teletherapy. We recommend that you contact your insurance company, if applicable, about their reimbursement for telehealth … Read more

Helping Children Harness Fear: Lightning in a Jar

August 27

By Seth Hock, LMFT

As a child, I was very anxious about many things. I would worry about how long my parents would be away when they left home, about going on campouts or to church camp for a week, and perhaps most of all, I would worry about storms. I can, when I choose to visit my inner child, still experience the anxiety he once felt about those Midwestern storms that would slowly roll though our part of the prairie. I remember listening closely when the weatherman came on the TV or radio; I would scan the skies looking … Read more

Therapists Starting in Derby Office October 1st

August 25

We are thrilled to announce Real Life Counseling will have an office in Derby (1720 E. Osage Rd. #200) starting October 1st, 2019! Our commitment is to be a resource to the greater Wichita community, offering our services in convenient locations for our clients. Just like our Wichita office, Real Life Counseling Derby will house a team of clinicians who are dedicated to their work and provide the highest quality treatment and support using evidence-based approaches, and meeting all clients where they are in their journeys.

Michelle Cunningham, LCP, Shauna Meier, LSCSW, Jeanine Jantz, LCPC and Maggie Thompson, … Read more

Addressing Jealousy in Partner Relationships

August 20

By Whitney Mosier, LCMFT

We all know that feeling: the heavy, gut wrenching, all-consuming feeling that doesn’t seem to go away and appears even in the most unexpected moments. Jealousy hijacks our bodies, our minds and our hearts, and often leaves the people involved with overwhelming feelings of fear, distrust, insecurity, and even despair. As a couples therapist, I’ve seen how jealousy can corrupt the positive connection between partners. Jealousy is a natural feeling when you love someone, but can have adverse effects on relationships. When it is present, it is important to gain awareness of where it is coming … Read more

Tips for the Transition Back To School

August 14

We hope you’ve had a great summer. It hasn’t been as hot as past Kansas summers (fingers crossed!), so hopefully you and your kids have been able to enjoy the outdoors and the swimming pool or whatever you like to do! Now it’s time for kids to go back to school. This is one of the biggest transitions in the year for families with kids of all ages, and it is important to keep in mind stress is higher around this time. To help with the back to school stress, our Real Life Counseling clinicians have compiled a list of … Read more

LGBTQIA+ Community: Why Are Pronouns Important?

July 29

By Maggie Thompson, LCMFT

When we’re toddlers, we’re taught whether we are a “boy,” or a “girl.”  We learn to use “he/him/his” with boys, and “she/her/hers” with girls.  The gender labels, and resulting pronouns help us to figure out who we are.  We hear things about girls and how they act, things about boys and how they act, and we are shaped into what society deems we should be.

Throughout history, society has banned and generally not tolerated someone “changing” their gender.  However, this is something that science supports as a natural act.  It is becoming a more known occurrence … Read more

6 Ways to Establish A Sense of Self-Worth (Apart from Relying on Others’ Opinions)

July 16

By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT

One of the most common questions I run into working with people is, “How do I establish a sense of self-worth not based on what other people think?” Most of us understand we shouldn’t be defined by others – what they say or think about us – but we don’t readily know how to establish a sense of value in a more legitimate way. After working for 20 years to help people improve their sense of self, I have gathered that there are actually multiple dimensions that can give us a sense of worth and value.

… Read more

“Because I Said So”: Instilling Confidence and Healthy Decision-Making in Our Children

June 12

By Seth Hock, LMFT

We have all been there, on both sides of the conversation – the ongoing negotiation between parents and children, when parents are asking children to do something they may not want to do. As parents, we can be exasperated from the arguments, power struggles, and the constant reminders to do something. The voice, oh so familiar, broadcasts the same tired message. It reverberates through our headspace like an ancient echo: “How many times do I have to ask or tell them to listen?”

Children, at times in innocent ignorance and at other times in stubborn defiance, … Read more