Hello! You have reached Forward Counseling’s Blog where we tackle mental health topics in an open, honest way in hopes that our stories will inspire you. Read, comment, and reach out to us!
Holidays can be joyful, but often bring heightened emotions and family tensions. Forward Counseling offers tips for navigating these challenges.
Learn about effective communication, setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and recognizing family patterns.
Discover how to handle difficult conversations, manage stress, and create a more peaceful holiday experience.
Read MoreStep into the “Haunted House of the Mind.” Each room holds memories, doubts, and anxieties that linger like ghosts. Therapy can guide you through this maze, helping you face fears and turn dark spaces into places of peace. With Forward Counseling services like therapy, Neurofeedback, life coaching, and family support, reclaim control over your mind. Embrace growth and let us help light your path to inner calm.
Read MoreEmbarking on the journey of adulthood brings with it a myriad of changes and challenges, and for many young women, it's a time marked by transitions that can be both exhilarating and daunting. The Young Women's Support Group offers a nurturing space for those navigating quarter-life issues, addressing career adjustments, independent living, and the complex landscape of self-discovery. This open and flexible group, led by the empathetic and supportive Karen Grossman, provides a haven where young women, aged 20-28, can share experiences, receive emotional support, and gain confidence in their journey. Through unstructured sessions enriched with relaxation exercises and mindfulness activities, the group becomes a sanctuary where feelings of shame and isolation are replaced with a sense of belonging and understanding. With a focus on self-acceptance and building connections, this group gently guides its members through the rollercoaster of life transitions, assuring them that they're not alone in their unique struggles.
Read MoreNemetria Tate is a dedicated psychologist who understands that seeking assistance is a courageous step toward growth. Holding a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, she specializes in helping adults navigate challenges such as low self-esteem, boundary issues, communication hurdles, adapting to life changes, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Nemetria's therapeutic approach is centered around Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and other proven methods, all while maintaining a culturally sensitive and strengths-based perspective to ensure a customized and enriching therapeutic journey. Beyond her professional commitment, she finds joy in audiobooks, movies, and cherished moments spent playing games with loved ones.
Read MoreLooking to have healthier relationships that last and don’t leave you feeling used and misunderstood? Experts say the key to maintaining the healthiest relationships (including within your job, your friendships, your romantic relationships, and even your family) is being a ruthless, unapologetic boundary setter. Simply put, setting boundaries promotes respectful relationships. According to coach Angelik Sims, “Boundary setting is the most important way to teach people how you expect to be treated.” I get it- this is easier said than done. Many of us (ahem- me) have people-pleasing tendencies that make getting into the habit of setting and sticking to clear boundaries feel uncomfortable and awkward.
Read MoreDean Graves shares information about the importance of mindfulness. Dean has taught clients all over the world how to heal from trauma, how to get rid of unwanted conditions, and how to develop professionally and get rid of conflict in the workplace.
Q: Why should someone see a counselor or life coach?
A: A counselor and/or life coach can provide significant perspective to specific or general “unwanted conditions” that a person may be experiencing. Everyone has unwanted conditions that they experience in everyday life. The degree to which an unwanted condition limits a person’s enjoyment of life varies from person to person and by the nature of the condition and can vary in intensity from a minor recurring irritation to a foundational existential angst about the human condition itself.
Read MoreHow do you find a great therapist? You may have made the decision to seek counseling, which is a great first step, but are not sure how to find the right person without having to first “try out” multiple providers. We have compiled a list of commonly asked questions, and are sharing the answers from Licensed Professional Counselor Elizabeth Welwood.
Read MoreA great way to heal from traumatic experiences outside of the therapy room is to educate yourself and learn from leading researchers and clinicians who are dedicated to providing the best information about the psychological effects of trauma and the methods that have helped others heal. You are not alone! Check out these great reads to get started in your journey towards beating PTSD and complex trauma.
Read MoreLife Coach
EVERY goal is within reach with a bit of help from a trained guide like Purpose and Life Coach Lauren Baker, pictured above!
The pressures in our society today seem to engrain within us that finding passions and reaching success is the most important part of life. People are expected to work hard and become successful without any help, and feelings of deep shame arise when one feels lost in the journey to success. In reality, it is extremely difficult and maybe even unattainable to figure out one’s purpose in life and know what the steps are to reach goals without any help at all. Whether it be career goals, relationship goals, or even just an ambiguous goal of wanting to feel better about life, it can feel daunting to know where to look to begin moving forward.
Finding help is especially difficult for people who are not dealing with a mental health issue which requires a therapist or counselor. The good news is there is a whole realm of coaches who work with clients with these exact goals in mind. Life Coaches have the training and knowledge needed to guide clients through the recognition of goals and aspirations in life, and how to best go about attaining those. Read more to learn how a Life Coach is the catalyst for reaching success, with information from Purpose and Life Coach Lauren Baker, M.Ed, LMSW.
Lauren likes to consider Life Coaches the “personal trainers” for life goals. They teach clients how to improve ways of thinking and provide techniques for living a more purposeful life to people who do not feel like they have mental health issues. Most people who see Life Coaches have a specific issue they are struggling with- like wanting to change careers, resolving conflict in the work space, hoping to break a pattern in relationships, or looking to analyze weak areas in thinking/lifestyle choices.
Life Coaching is typically more short-term than therapy, with clients experiencing progress within an average of 6 sessions. The sessions are short and easy to fit in, typically lasting only 45 minutes. They provide clients a space to visualize, recognize life goals and identify the limiting beliefs and actions keeping one from reaching them. After choosing those goals, Lauren helps provide the education needed to make those next steps. The Coaching process continues outside of the session- with homework, outside reading, and exercises to continue reaping the benefits of the session in between (and for the rest of the client’s life).
Seeing a Life Coach at least once in life is the most helpful thing many people may do for professional and personal success. The Coach not only helps clients work through current issues, but also provides knowledge about how to apply what is taught outside of the coaching sessions, too- meaning when other problems arise in months and years after meeting with the life coach- the client has the knowledge needed to best address that problem.
Whether it be finding the courage to ask for a promotion, figure out a career path, or a general feeling like there is an internal struggle keeping one from reaching their best self, a Life Coach is the guide who can lead the way to full success, self-actualization, and identification of limiting beliefs that cause repeated negative patterns,
To book a session with one of our awesome Life or Success Coaches like Lauren Baker, click the button below or fill out a contact form on our site at forwardcounseling.com/contact
Relationships may start to feel complicated, painful, and hard to manage. It’s hard to talk to your partner about your feelings, expectations, and past experiences. You may even feel like something is wrong, but not even know WHY you feel the way you do about your relationship. DeKimberly is trained in Prepare/Enrich premarital and couples counseling, which can be just the thing needed to help your relationship flourish.
Read MoreFor people who worry about confidentiality, have high deductibles, or don’t have a mental health diagnosis, choosing to pay out of pocket with a therapist has benefits. Understanding which is best is a frustrating barrier. Insurance doesn’t need to be the factor holding you back from getting the absolute best treatment for your situation. There are many highly skilled therapists and life coaches at Forward Counseling who are excited to partner with you in your journey to reaching your highest self possible.
Read MoreAn interesting thing about grief- because it’s taboo to talk about- is that we tend to feel like the only one. Therapist Sarah Rather, M.Ed., NCC wants you to know that grief doesn’t need to be a scary word- let’s embrace it! Joining a grief group can provide the skills needed to healthily work through and make grief more bearable, and is the safe space needed to remind you that your feelings and experiences are valid and important. You are not alone on this journey.
Read MoreWhat is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma.
Read MoreEast Memphis, TN: 4646 Poplar Ave, Suite 302, Memphis, TN 38117
Mississippi: Address coming soon
Jackson, TN: 109 E Lafayette St, Jackson, TN 38301
Nashville, TN: 503 A Ligon Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
Knoxville, TN: Address coming soon
