The Mental Health Blog
Helping the Community-Attorneys and Therapists Come Together
The lady in the picture you see above standing in the middle of those two dashing fellas is me, Kristen Neal, MEd, LPC. As you are looking at the picture, to the left is James Ahearn, MEd, JD, LPC and to the right is John Kershman, Esq. Yes, James is a therapist AND a lawyer and, yes, he practices in both professions! John Kershman is a well known family law attorney in Saint Louis with a stellar record.
Greenway Therapy on Channel 5 News: Isolation leading to mental health concerns in teens, doctors say
The increase in mental health issues is brought on — at least in part — by isolation during e-learning and being apart from their friends during the summer.
“Kids that are pre-teens and teens are at a developmental place where their relationships with their peers are extremely important, and they’re missing out on that,” therapist and counselor Kristen Neal said.
With Love, From Lizzo
“If you can love me, you can love yourself.” These words from the talented performer and self-love guru Lizzo emphasize a reality that we all too often overlook when it comes to our ability to exercise self-compassion, acceptance, and gentleness. The idea that we need...
Having a Sex Life With Kids Living at Home- From a Therapist in St. Louis
If you are feeling this way about your sex life there can be a couple culprits contributing to your feelings. If you identify with any of these, definitely work through your feelings with your therapist.
Having Tough Conversations With Your Kids- St. Louis Therapist Podcast
Kristen Neal, LPC participates in a local, growing podcast with fellow therapists to discuss burning questions you may have. One question many people want the answer to is: How do I have difficult conversations with my kids (drugs, sex, self regulation)? Click to...
What is a Healthy Relationship? -St. Louis Therapists View Point
Kristen Neal, LPC participates in a local, growing podcast with fellow therapists to discuss burning question you may have. One question many people want the answer to is: How do I know if I am in a healthy relationship?
Domestic Violence- Love Shouldn’t Hurt- Therapy in St. Louis
You know you need to get out. You are afraid of knowing where to go, who to turn to, what your first move will be. It is next to impossible to do this on your own. Sophya Raza, a local St. Louis attorney has a great blog with resources available to those of you who are living in the St. Louis area looking for resources for domestic violence. Click here to access the plethora of information she has compiled for you. If you need legal help you can find her firm’s contact information here.
Your Kids, and Mine- How to Keep it “Fair”- Blended Family Therapist
Blended families are nothing short of complicated.
Talking to My Teen About Marijuana- Teen Therapist in St Louis
Teens are primed to seek novel stimuli because they are at a point in their development where they can learn very easily and at a fast rate. In the teen mind learning is heightened, fun feels more intense and pot just amps up the intensity that their brain is already seeking out. When a teen smokes pot it reduces the stress they feel from their senses being naturally heightened all the time, while also making fun seem way more fun. The problem? When they come down off marijuana, life doesn’t have the luster it did before, nothing seems as interesting, so they smoke more pot. Volia, you have habitual use and then addiction.
Reduce Intense Anxiety in 20 Minutes
Here is what to do:
Step 1- Find a quiet place to lay down or sit. Make sure your legs are not crossed and that you are comfortable.
Step 2- Develop a Calm/Safe Place in your mind. Think for a few minutes about a memory, experience, person, or place from the present or past that gives you a feeling of safety, comfort, acceptance, etc. You can even use something imaginary if you need to. The goal here is to have something your mind can focus on that incorporates good feelings.
Customer Reviews
I have known Ashley Rickert for multiple years as she was one of my classmates in grad school. Having known Ashley for as long as I have, I've had the pleasure of seeing her therapy skills in a variety of scenarios (through practicum and internship, as well as her post graduate work).
She is immensely knowledgeable and professional. Lately, she has been described as "quiet, but mighty!" Most of all, she is respectful of our clients and genuinely cares for them.
Honored to share the space with her!
No doubt this is the BEST place to get the BEST counseling service in ALL of St. Louis area.
