depression – Sound Mind Center

anxiety, depression, family, forgiveness, grief, healthy communication, joy, mental health, mindfulness, psychotherapy, religion, resiliency, self-compassion, self-esteem, spirituality, therapy, Trauma

What Do Social Workers Do?

March 1, 2019March 2, 2019 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

When I first started pursuing a career as a Clinical Social Worker, I often heard people say "Oh, you are the person who rips screaming babies out of the arms of their mother". Well...not quite.

depression, self-compassion, self-esteem

Be Your Own Valentine

February 11, 2019March 1, 2019 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

Valentines Day is looming and for many it is a difficult day; a reminder of the love they are missing. However, Valentines Day can be the perfect day to show yourself love and practice self compassion. You don't need an intimate partner to celebrate this day. Make it a point this year to be your… Continue reading Be Your Own Valentine

depression, grief, mental health, mindfulness

Grief in the Holidays

December 24, 2018December 24, 2018 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

Holidays can be extremely hard and triggering for those who are grieving the lost of a loved one. Here are a couple tips to help: Make time/room to include your lost loved one into your celebration: Leave an empty chair, make one of their favorite dishes, have their picture or their ashes with you, and… Continue reading Grief in the Holidays

anxiety, depression, family, forgiveness, healthy communication, joy, mental health, mindfulness, psychotherapy, religion, resiliency, self-compassion, self-esteem, spirituality, therapy, Trauma, Uncategorized

How Does Therapy Work?

August 5, 2018May 12, 2021 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

Understanding therapy and what to expect can help reduce concerns and prepare you for the process.

anxiety, depression, mental health, mindfulness, psychotherapy, religion, self-compassion, therapy, Trauma

Is Happy Theology Bringing You Down?

July 4, 2018August 5, 2018 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

Check out my latest blog "Is Happy Theology Brining You Down" which I wrote for the Therapeutic Center for Anxiety and Trauma. You can read it by following this link: http://www.anxietytraumatherapy.com/blog/2018/7/3/is-happy-bringing-you-down-by-gretchen-j-penner-asw

anxiety, depression, forgiveness, mental health, mindfulness, resiliency, self-compassion

Love Yourself – Just The Way You Are

April 24, 2018August 5, 2018 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

What if we could love ourselves unconditionally? What if we could quit beating ourselves up and treated ourselves the way we treat our best friend?

anxiety, depression, forgiveness, joy, mental health, religion, resiliency, self-compassion, spirituality, Trauma

Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Wholeness

January 29, 2018January 29, 2018 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

For decades, psychotherapists believed that religion and spirituality was a symptom of mental illness. Today, however, that theory is drastically changing.

anxiety, depression, forgiveness, joy

Freedom in Forgiveness

January 2, 2018January 3, 2018 Gretchen J. Penner, LCSW

Many people think that when we forgive someone we are letting them off the hook for the wrong they did. Actually, forgiveness is not for the person who wronged us, it's for ourselves. Forgiveness is selfish.