HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  
I HOPE THAT YOU’VE BEEN WELL ⭐

Here we are at the end of 2021…
On the one hand, I feel like there is so much to reflect upon—and on the other hand, I feel like I’ve been standing still all year and there’s not much to say!
Health remains ever important—in my world, the collective state of our mental health is front and center each and every day.

FEW TAKEAWAYS FROM 2021:

• Kids and families are largely resilient

• We are approaching almost two years of ongoing pandemic and it certainly has taken its toll

• We are weary and the adrenaline is depleted—but we can do this!

• Wow—our physical health and emotional health are closely related

• It’s time to start living again, not waiting to live…this clearly isn’t going away

• Gratitude ❤️

• Limit media. Let me say it again—limit media.

• No shortage of ways to be a helper during these challenging times, think of how can you get involved.

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️

HOLIDAY MANTRAS TO REDUCE STRESS:

1. I celebrate abundance, and I’m open to receive all the love, joy, and nourishment of the holidays.

2. I love myself! I choose food, drink, exercise, and encounters that support my highest good.

3. I release my pain and forgive the past. I am free to love.

4. I am prosperous, and I give wisely with a generous heart.

5. I open my heart and accept others as they are.

6. Life is sweet and I enjoy it!

7. I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly.

8. I choose uplifting, supportive encounters. I have the power to remove myself from any negative situations.

9. I choose the present and fill this moment with fun, joy, and light.

10. Gratitude awakens the good in my life.

-Chi Blog, Athleta

LEVITY

I’M GETTING TIRED OF BEING PART OF A MAJOR HISTORICAL EVENT. 

A REFLECTION ON LONELINESS

The Loneliness of Twinkle Lights, Blog by Mari Andrew

Beautiful blog about loneliness… I think many of us can relate if we get quiet enough to reflect upon it. Many highly sensitive people present to therapy and enter this field as therapists and healers. I highly recommend Mari Andrew’s books and Instagram @bymariandrew.

HOLIDAY PARENTING TIP:

Consider a personalized note or 3x5 card for your children/partner this holiday season (could be a stocking stuffer!).

Complete some of these sentences:

• I see you...

• I hear you...

• I witness you...

• I watch you...

• I love _______ about you

• I appreciate...

• I am proud...

• I value...

• I feel joyful when you...

Only positive affirmations of how you have seen them showing up this year! We all want to be seen, heard, and valued for who we really are! These have been exceptional times-- communicate your love to your precious few ❤️.

PRACTICE UPDATES:

Suite 217 has offered 2,717 appointments in 2021 to date! That is a lot of good work, listening, witnessing, and assisting during challenging times. I am ever proud of my three Associates and how we’ve all risen to the occasion during this moment when we’ve been called to extremely hard work!

Congratulations to Stacy Knupfer, newly licensed MFT! She just passed her exam and will be launching to her own space across the street in January. It is bittersweet—SO proud of Stacy, but we will miss her sparkle in our office for sure!

We will have a new Associate Social Worker join our practice in January—welcome Amanda Perez!
We are excited to welcome you aboard.

In January, I will be rolling out a new "form" of this newsletter! It will hit your Inbox each Monday and be something that you can consider in your approach with your children that week. I am calling it “A Lighter Touch with Leah”. This is for any parent that wants to level up their parenting, make simple shifts, hear their children more clearly, co-parent more effectively with their partner, and ultimately enhance their connection and attunement with their child.

Many parents need just subtle shifts in their mindset to have less conflict and more connection at home. My sweet spot is parenting adolescents, however, these tips can be used for parenting all ages of children.

I have spent twenty years in quiet rooms doing therapy with youth and I’m giving you all my take-aways. I practice these tips (imperfectly at times!) at home on my own parenting journey each and every day. This is a labor of love that might someday become a parenting class, blog, or book of some sort.

Please pass this on to friends, relatives, parents that might benefit, colleagues in the field, clients ❤️. I’d love to have this really reach people! Please forward this newsletter along and they can sign up for the e-blast by clicking the button below!

I promise not to flood your inbox and to send truly relevant content.

Happy holidays! Thank you for being a faithful reader!
Excited for the launch of “A Lighter Touch with Leah” in January 2022!