Mindful Living

I usually do not write about  political issues, and frankly in some areas I am not informed enough to comment!  But I remember a person..... Whom I saw in jail, and he had cancer in his jaw.  He was in his early 30's.  He had a job with no health insurance.  He was in pain, and the cancer was eating away at his jaw.  He was holding his jaw while we talked. But he did not have health insurance or money to pay for treatment.... Maybe it's a failing of his doctors, his employer, himself or the healthcare system. But I still think about him from time to time. I hope he got the treatment he needed. Before it was too late.

In my practice and in life, I have encountered many people who report they have fallen out of love.  When asked to describe what that means, I am usually told: I no longer feel attracted to him/her There is no passion in our relationship We are not close at all I don't feel cared about I don't feel like I used to feel He/She doesn't KNOW me Most of us want to have the in love feeling all the time, but truth be told, in any long term relationship, that in love feeling will ebb and flow- sometimes strong, sometimes not there.  It's normal and best to not pathologize the relationship when it happens or get yourself worked up into a tizzy over it! But, not feeling in love, could be a sign that you are not paying enough attention to your relationship.  Are you taking time to nourish the relationship?  Spending quality time together?  Being intimate, both emotionally and physically?  Not letting resentments fester (a HUGE factor

What's the cure for  low self esteem?  Being kinder to yourself!  Sounds much easier than it really is. We spend so much time "beating ourselves up" over all our mistakes, and then we wonder why we don't feel very good about ourselves.  Self compassion will raise your self esteem, but not in an "oh I am so special" type of way, but in a real, 'we are all flawed humans making our way through life the best we can'  type of way. Being kind to yourself means that when you make a mistake, you tell yourself that it's OK, you will do better next time; take the lesson from the mistake and then move on. Self kindness means that you know you aren't perfect and you will mess up, but it does not mean you are a horrible person for making a mistake!  Compassion to self means you ask yourself what you need and you take care of your needs, because you are important; it does not mean that your needs are more important than others' needs.  Many of

June 2012 Newsletter Happy Summer!   We went for our first swim a few weeks ago, and it was brisk! I really enjoy swimming and being in water so I hope the weather warms up.   Our Cedarburg office is moving July 1st! But it’s only 1 block away from the current office.   The space is larger, and we can see more clients there.   Jennifer Skinner and JoEllyn Schultz are the primary therapists out of the Cedarburg office (for now!).   Jennifer joins us this month and we are happy to have her on board!   She has been a school counselor for a few years and sees children and adults.   She will be in West Bend one day a week and Cedarburg 2 days a week.   I have included her profile in this newsletter.   She can be reached at Jennifer@kettlemorainecounseling.com   or by calling the clinic.   Until next time, be gentle with yourself and others.                           Devona Marshall   Clinic Director Jennifer Skinner, M.S., T.L.P.

Jennifer Skinner, M.S., T.L.P.C., L.P.S.C. Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Professional School Counselor with experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families who present with a wide range of clinical needs. She creates a safe, healing environment that is focused on enhancing a client’s resources and strengths. From this foundation, clients are able to identify challenges and set goals, so that they can begin to make changes that will positively affect their lives and sense of self.   Prior to joining Kettle Moraine Counseling, Jennifer worked as a clinical intern at an outpatient clinic with a culturally diverse population of at-risk youth who experienced severe trauma including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect. Many of the children she worked with display symptoms such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, impulsivity, and aggression. She also currently works as a school counselor and has experience with facilitat