Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a warm, wonderful and healthy holiday season and a happy new year!

If you are looking for support in making changes and growing the life you always wanted, feel free to contact us here at Another Look at Healing, LLC at 240-274-5680 or by emailing Admin@HealingLLC.com. Our website is www.HealingLLC.com for more details.

Take Good Care,

Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, Director &

Abbie Mortimer, Executive Assistant  

Creating Space for Self and Hospitality for Others

The colors of fall have most certainly changed to brown and the sun disappears earlier in the evening. Meanwhile, the smells of food have turned to warming cinnamon, brisk peppermint, and hearty stews.  In addition to the visible changes of the season, hospitality comes to mind when we begin to think of the holidays approaching. Welcoming guests, whether family or nearly complete strangers, involves preparation, commitment, and generosity.  These components may initially feel as though they are only about a home or a physical place, but preparation, commitment and generosity are also about the way we prepare ourselves to welcome a guest and to be more gracious and compassionate with ourselves.

In a recent article, “How to Create Safe Places” by Chalese Dunton, she writes: “I have come to realize no matter who we are, we all crave spaces where we can be known and loved in the most authentic ways. When we step out in courage to create those spaces for others, we find our own souls fed and our own lives changed.”  She is right, it does take courage to step out and create space for others. We can see this as a life of hospitality towards others and toward yourself.  To have courage to be hospitable and create spaces, it takes a certain amount of personal preparation.  Have I made time to relax and calm the inner chaos that can creep up with life’s responsibilities?  Have I set aside time to prioritize what is most important to me and my family in this season of our life? What have I done recently as a creative outlet?

In order to create spaces for the self and for others and connection with them, a level of commitment is necessary. New relationships and community take time and commitment to grow. A small note to a friend or an invitation for the neighbor kids to come out and play have been small but meaningful acts of intentional relationship building among the community. Time sitting and quietly breathing or finding inspirational quotes can be fulfilling and a healthy way to practice self compassion.

Finally, generosity from within myself creates a hospitable atmosphere for another person or yourself to be welcomed and not judged.  While staying safe and being true to yourself, you can remember to treat the other person as you would a new dear friend, and to treat yourself the same way.  You can strive to share your authentic self in order to connect beyond a superficial level.

It can be easy to become discouraged from time to time!  Trying something new takes courage and vulnerability.  If you want to work on making these shifts, you deserve support during these challenges. Talking to a trusted or therapist can help you reflect, support you and help you to aim at the goals you have set for yourself.  You may often be taken by surprise that life changes, for the better, when we work at creating these spaces of hospitality for others and for yourself.

For support in making changes and growing, feel free to contact us here at Another Look at Healing, LLC at 240-274-5680 or by emailing Admin@HealingLLC.com. Our website is www.HealingLLC.com for more details.

Take Good Care,

Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, Director &

Abbie Mortimer, Executive Assistant  

Stress Management for the Fall

We hope you had a WONDERFUL summer. While we worked on balancing work, home and finding some time for relaxation and travel this Summer, we now look forward to sending out more regular blogs as the weather cools off and Halloween is around the corner. In these upcoming blogs, we plan to include tips for how to make this seasonal transition filled with more health and happiness, help us all learn how to appreciate what we have, and look to make improvements as well as add more acceptance and peace in your life. Wishing you a wonderful Fall season!! 

Take Good Care,

Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC
AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com 

Stress Management for Easing into Fall...

Here are a few tips for easing into Fall this year:

- Make plans: plan a trip or a walk, something to look forward to on the calendar.
- Be in the moment: be spontaneous and have an outdoor picnic or take a day trip.
- Embrace the change of season: take a walk on a cooler evening or go apple picking.
- You get to choose your attitude towards the shifting seasons: choose to enjoy the good parts (cozy sweaters and hot apple cider).

Feeling more down than usual or other changes in your mood and typical behavior can be difficult to change on your own. So, get support and make sure you discuss this further with a therapist to help get you on a health track this Fall.

For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com or 240-274-5680.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director & Psychotherapist and
Jill Gordon, LCSW-C, Psychotherapist

Does the change of season get you down?

As the days begin to shorten and Summer swiftly drifts away it can be difficult to come to terms with the warmth and sunshine dissipating. It seems we often wish away our winter months awaiting blissful spring and summer weather. Daylight dwindles, temperatures drop, kids are back in school, vacation season ends, the pools close, and the lush fruits of Summer have passed. For some, the end of summer can trigger a drop in mood among other feelings of the changing seasons. Does the change of season get you down?

It is normal to have some Summer regret; the “I didn’t get in shape and run everyday like I said I would”, or “I told myself I was going to learn to swim this Summer”, “my house is just as unorganized as it was when the kids got out of school”. Do you have any summer regrets? If so, what are they? Ask yourself—Is it too late to still do what I wanted to do? Beyond every turn and change is an opportunity. Do you still want to get the house organized? (or whatever didn’t actualize on your “to-do” list). If you still want that-you can make it happen.
You are the only one that can make that happen. So why wait? There can always be an excuse - if too many excuses or worries are getting in your way of accomplishing your own goals talking to a therapist can help. Make the most of what might be left of summer and helps you ease into Fall.

For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com or 240-274-5680.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director & Psychotherapist and
Jill Gordon, LCSW-C, Psychotherapist

Guide to Ending Back to School Stress!

This is a wonderful article I read on www.medicinenet.com that is applicable to this back to school season. See below:

Eight Immediate Stress-Busters

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

Most of our lives are filled with family, work, and community obligations, and at some point we feel as though we are "running on empty." Here are eight immediate stress busters to help "fill up the tank!" So take deep relaxing breath and read on.

Watch for the next instance in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant. Then practice letting go, making a conscious choice not to become angry or upset. Do not allow yourself to waste thought and energy where it isn't deserved. Effective anger management is a tried-and-true stress reducer.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Before reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out a relaxation technique such as meditation or guided imagery.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; by slowing down your speech you'll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.
Jump-start an effective time management strategy. Choose one simple thing you have been putting off (e.g., returning a phone call, making a doctor's appointment), and do it immediately. Just taking care of one nagging responsibility can be energizing and can improve your attitude.
Get outdoors for a brief break. Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air. Don't be deterred by foul weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating.
Drink plenty of water and eat small, nutritious snacks. Hunger and dehydration, even before you're aware of them, can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.
Do a quick posture check. Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid stooping or slumping. Bad posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress. If you're stuck at a desk most of the day, avoid repetitive strain injuries and sore muscles by making sure your workstation reflects good ergonomic design principles. There is information about ergonomics and healthy workstations to assure your station ismore ergonomically safe.
Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if only a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax. Don't spend this time planning tomorrow's schedule or doing chores you didn't get around to during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and energize yourself. You'll be much better prepared to face another stressful day.

For extra help, feel free to visit our website at www.HealingLLC.com for more articles, or contact us at 240-274-5680 or AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com to set up an appointment for some counseling to help you through a difficult time.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC

Another Look at Healing, LLC - Gaithersburg Counseling Center Moved!

Come by and check out our new office in Gaithersburg, MD!!! We move into a beautiful new suite.
We are now offering daytime, evening and weekend counseling for individual, couples, family and group therapy. We help children, teens and adults live happier, healthier lives!

Contact me for more information at Admin@HealingLLC.com or 240-274-5680 or visit our website at www.HealingLLC.com.

Pictures to follow soon!!!

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC