nourished minds counseling + wellness April 2024 newsletter
Happy April!
It seems that spring has finally come to New England and I’m sure I’m not alone in my excitement for warmer, sunny weather. For the world around us, spring is a time of change and growth and I like to think this season can inspire us to do our own growing as well.
In Boston, spring is also famous for one thing: the Boston Marathon (coming up on Monday, April 15). I’ve always looked forward to the race each year. I ran two marathons years ago and the experiences taught me some really important lessons that I think can help anyone who is working to improve their mental health.
I’ll be sharing those lessons in this newsletter, along with a few practice updates, including:
1. The MEDA conference is right around the corner in Newton and I’m looking forward to growing my knowledge of eating disorder recovery to support our clients.
2. Our practice continues to grow and evolve, including new opportunities for exposure coaching for clients with OCD and eating disorders.
Thank you for your support and as always, be in touch to let me know if you have questions or feedback.
Be well,
Karen
karen@nourishedmindscounseling.com
2024 National MEDA Conference
The 2024 MEDA National Conference is right around the corner and I am really looking forward to attending. This is truly my favorite conference and this year’s event will feature so many amazing speakers.
MEDA (Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association)’s conference is for professionals who are interested in expanding their knowledge of eating disorders.
This two-day conference will feature dozens of speakers and workshops sharing the latest research, treatments and resources to better support patients on the journey to recovery. I’m especially eager to hear the keynote by Da'Shaun Harrison (they/them) titled, "Antifat Antiblackness: A Timeline."
Click here to learn more about the MEDA National Conference.
Additional Services at Our Practice
We're constantly looking for new ways to better serve our clients. We welcomed our psychiatric nurse practitioner Winnie Lee, PMHNP-BC, last spring and have been offering psychopharmacology and medication management services ever since.
Since the fall, we’ve also partnered with Kate Sweeney, MS, RDN,LDN and Ella Ross, MSW Candidate (2024) who can offer exposure and meal coaching to our clients. In conjunction with psychotherapy and medication management, these services offer adjunctive support to our clients who struggle with eating disorders, OCD and co-occurring mental health challenges.
To schedule an appointment, please email or call:
🖥 info@nourishedmindscounseling.com
☎️ 617-333-8188
Karen's Mental Health Bite
Explore the mental health tips I learned from my own marathon:
Tip 1: Go at your own pace. When I ran the marathon, I took it slow. It took me a long time to finish, but I crossed that finish line. Along the way, I noticed that I passed several runners who had started out much faster than I had. Like running a race, recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or any other mental health disorder is not a sprint, but a marathon. It's important to slow down, take care of yourself along the way, and be compassionate.
Tip 2: There will be ups and downs. In a marathon, you may experience hills and bumps in the road. There will be times when running feels easier and times when it feels really hard. Like a marathon, recovering from a mental health condition is never a straight path. It’s important to prepare for the ups and downs along the way.
Tip 3: Take care of yourself. Preparing for a marathon requires more than a lot of running. A successful marathon runner needs to stay nourished by drinking plenty of water, eating nutrient-dense foods, sleeping well and practicing self-care. All of these practices are also critical on your path to recovery from any mental health issues you’re facing.
I hope these tips help you feel more empowered on your journey to better mental health. I also hope you can go out and watch the marathon or watch it on TV. It’s a great event and I will definitely be there to cheer on the runners!
As I mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, getting clear on your personal values and how you want to live your life offers many benefits.
It can help you make healthier, values-driven choices, which will ultimately help you live a more fulfilling life.
Spend some time this month sitting and thinking about what your values are. This would be a great journaling prompt or a great thing to talk about during a therapy session!
Nourished Minds Counseling & Wellness
The Mental Health Healers: Hope, Heal & Thrive
At Nourished Minds: Counseling + Wellness, we help clients achieve overall wellness by addressing issues of stress, anxiety, panic disorders, depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and eating disorders. We also provide a variety of services to professionals in the healthcare and mental health industry. I invite you to learn more about my practice and areas of expertise by exploring my website. Contact me to discuss how we can work together to develop an individualized plan that addresses your unique needs and circumstances.
