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In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) 2026, Forward Counseling is committed to transforming the "Love is Respect" theme into a lived reality by providing a research-backed blueprint for modeling safe relationships. 🕊️🛡️ By moving beyond toxic media tropes, we empower adults to demonstrate "Open Door" communication and the Gottman "Softened Startup," proving that repair-oriented dialogue is the bedrock of intimacy. From respecting digital boundaries as a fundamental lesson in consent to embracing "Parallel Intimacy" as a tool for personal autonomy, our goal is to help teens distinguish between steady, secure love and the volatile "dopamine chasing" of unhealthy dynamics. 🧘‍♂️💖 Through sincere accountability and the identifying of early "yellow flags," we provide a vital safe harbor that teaches the next generation that true connection never requires the sacrifice of one's safety or self-worth. ⚓🏠

Discover the future of modern love with Forward Counseling. We explore "custom-built" partnerships using the Gottman Method, IFS, and the 80/80 model. Learn about 2026 trends like "Parallel Intimacy" and "Sleep Divorces," plus neurodivergent love languages including Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia. Build a relationship that prioritizes emotional safety and authentic connection today.

Celebrate Self-Love Month by reclaiming your peace. At Forward Counseling, we explore how saying "No" to the "should" voices, overextension, and toxic comparison is actually a "Yes" to your self-worth. Learn to set healthy boundaries, regulate your nervous system, and embrace your authentic reality with our holistic approach to mental health this February. 🕊️✨

Get ready to connect with the newest provider at Forward Counseling! 🎉 Angela Knowles, LMSW, is here to guide you on your journey to healing, bringing a compassionate, trauma-informed, and highly versatile approach to mental wellness, fueled by a lifelong commitment to community service. As a Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP) and a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor, Angela offers a rare combination of expertise, viewing mental and physical health as deeply connected while recognizing how stress and generational trauma are stored in the body. She utilizes a holistic framework, blending CBT and DBT to meet clients exactly where they are, focusing on creating a safe, unhurried space where you feel supported and can work on breaking past cycles, ultimately helping you find the skills to be released from your troubles and soar like a butterfly into a brighter future. ✨

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a critical time for Forward Counseling to highlight the severe link between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and mental health trauma. While the statistics on physical and sexual abuse are staggering, the widespread emotional and psychological aggression endured by nearly half of all victims reveals deep, invisible wounds that lead to chronic conditions like PTSD and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). These feelings of anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are valid and normal reactions to sustained threats and betrayal; they are not signs of personal failure. Recognizing that untreated trauma often manifests as violence—perpetuating a cycle through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—Forward Counseling is committed to providing trauma-informed care to help survivors process their experiences, reclaim their safety, and move forward with their healing journey.

Join Forward Counseling in welcoming their newest provider, William Richardson, LMSW! 🎉 William brings a compassionate and engaged approach to mental wellness, specializing in treating anxiety and depression and supporting younger generations (Gen Z/millennials) through modern challenges. His therapy is holistic and collaborative, viewing mental health as an internal response to external circumstances, and he uses approaches like psychosocial, cognitive, and solution-oriented styles. For couples, he skillfully applies the Gottman Methodology and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help partners achieve emotional reconciliation and build a stronger foundation. William emphasizes that therapy is an active partnership, not a passive experience, and it is his job to support clients in figuring out their own best path forward. ✨

Feeling nervous about your first psychiatric evaluation is completely understandable, but know that the process is supportive, not judgmental. Forward Counseling's provider Kisha Doebler’s goal is to listen and collaborate to create a personalized, effective plan for your well-being.

Strengthening your relationship through counseling is a testament to your commitment and resilience. We see couples who undergo counseling as a truly brave act, and it takes courage to look at challenges head-on and even more to invite someone else into your shared space. At Forward Counseling, we understand that finding the right support makes all the difference. That's why we're excited to share insights from Ryan Pepperman, NCC, a compassionate and experienced professional dedicated to helping couples rediscover their connection and strengthen their bond, guiding you and your partner toward renewed radiance and inner peace.

Stepping into a mental health journey is a brave act, and finding the right support makes all the difference. Forward Counseling is excited to introduce you to Pamela Bende, an APRN, PMHNP-BC, who brings a deeply compassionate and holistic approach to her practice. In this insightful Q&A, Pamela shares unique perspectives on healing, addresses common questions about therapy and medication, and invites you to discover how her personalized care can help you reclaim your radiance and inner peace.

Explore men's mental health challenges, common presentations, and societal stigmas with counselor Ryan Pepperman, NCC. Learn practical strategies for emotional well-being, building support systems, and the unexpected benefits of therapy. Discover how to identify warning signs and effectively support men resistant to help.

Forward Counseling of the Mid-South introduces Kisha Doebler, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to a holistic and patient-centered approach to mental wellness through a Q & A session. Kisha's passion for this field stems from her own experiences navigating the world as someone with autism, fostering a deep empathy for the diverse challenges individuals face and a strong desire to break down mental health stigma. Eager to connect with clients in the Mid-South, she looks forward to building trusting, collaborative relationships to help people thrive and navigate their unique healing journeys.

Life in today's fast-paced world can feel overwhelming, heavily impacting our internal systems and making clear thinking difficult. Learning to calm down isn't about denying feelings, but rather respecting them while regaining balance. Forward Counseling understands this struggle and offers support to help individuals understand their stress responses and learn simple calming techniques.

The concept of "Moving Forward Together" envisions a vibrant tapestry of mental wellness, woven from the shared experiences and generational wisdom of women, offering a powerful antidote to the isolation and stigma often associated with mental health struggles. This necessitates the creation of supportive environments, where open conversations flourish, bridging generational gaps through mutual understanding and empathy. By actively dismantling ageism, prioritizing accessible and culturally sensitive services, and amplifying the power of shared stories, we can empower women of all ages to prioritize their mental well-being, fostering a collective journey of healing and inspiration that resonates across generations.

Join us for a Q&A session with Jennifer Riddle, MS, tLPC-MHSP, a compassionate therapist at Forward Counseling. Utilizing evidence-based approaches like Trauma-Focused CBT and Mindfulness, Jennifer helps clients transform life's challenges into opportunities for growth and healing. Discover how she can empower you on your journey of self-discovery.