In her latest Huffington Post blog, Johanna writes about how we can use counseling to help minimize the epidemic of loneliness, addressing issues of shame and isolation by challenging them with acceptance. She writes about hope for a future epidemic of connection, beginning in how we communicate with those around us.
To learn more about this or to set up your first counseling appointment, email Johanna at jbondperspectives@gmail.com or call (585)406-3012.
Journaling can be a therapeutic exercise. In therapy, Johanna may encourage you to journal or keep a diary in a specific way, to raise awareness of specific activities, thoughts, or feelings. This monthly journal exercise is in no way individually prescribed, but meant to offer food for thought that may be useful for anyone.
September’s monthly journal exercise:
September tends to be a time of transition. Kids go back to school, and we begin to head towards autumn. Take five minutes to do a “free write,” where you write without stopping. Only stop if your hand hurts or if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed emotionally. Write about transitions in your life, and how you connect to the transition of the season from summer to autumn. This may be through personal events in your life or through your connection to nature as it changes. At five minutes, stop and put down your pen, wherever you are in your writing. This is not meant to be a polished piece of writing but rather an exploration.
Johanna Bond, LMHC 