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WHOLE-PERSON COUNSELING & WELLNESS
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Welcome to Telehealth.
Self-care where and when you need it.
Currently accepting clients in Illinois and Massachusetts

What Do You Mean By "Whole-Person"?

Wellness research suggests there are multiple domains of functioning that result in your overall wellbeing. A personalized balance of those factors is a critical part of your whole-person. Try reflecting today on on your emotional, financial, and spiritual self; your environmental, physical, and social self; your occupational, and intellectual self, too! All these parts make up a whole you. The attention you need to give to each will change throughout your life so offer up regular assessments.

Counseling offers a forum in which you can explore all these parts and bring them into an individualized balance. Giving your energy equally to each is not the goal, but instead counseling offers a place for reflection where you may then "nurture as necessary."

The sum of the parts is not ever equal to the whole-person.

Mural, Edgewater,
Chicago, IL

What Is Counseling?

Counseling has many models and approaches but, in a nutshell, counseling creates a confidential relationship in which you may explore and challenge the best version of yourself. Counseling is sometimes short-term, focused treatment (6-8 weeks), but some clients prefer and/or require a longer period in order to identify goals, perceived challenges, and create strategies for success. Others return repeatedly to reassess, create new goals, or sharpen old skills. All styles are equally rewarding when it is your wellbeing at the finish line. Resolving problematic relationships, beliefs, or behavior patterns takes courage, and the support and ethical guidance found in a counseling relationship has been shown to be beneficial to those that participate in the process.

Mural in Edgewater
Chicago, IL

Defining Wellness

The National Institute of Wellness (NIW) puts it this way: “Wellness is more than the absence of disease. Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”

It’s an active process – which means it takes time and intentionality.
It involves awareness – which means paying attention to all domains of functioning in your life
It requires choices – which means you have both freedom and accountability.

Plymouth Harbor
Plymouth, MA

Wellfleet Harbor
Wellfleet, MA

Across the Lifespan

Seeking wellness is a common-sense goal for anyone. But are there particular benefits as we age? Absolutely.

A long-term study by the MacArthur Foundation found that 70% of physical aging and approximately 50% of mental aging is determined by the lifestyle choices we make every day.

This suggests that although genetics play a role, the choices you make today, play a major role in how you feel tomorrow and the next day and the next day …

Wellness Check

Fortunately, this is not another required visit to your doctor. You can do a variety of wellness check-ups yourself in the comfort of your home, sitting on your favorite chair, or even lying in a secluded sunny spot.

Wherever you find that quiet moment, begin by asking questions that will help you see your areas of strengths as well as those that require your attention. (The trickiest part is being honest with yourself.)

Can you nurture flexibility in domains that are rigid?
Can you challenge yourself from a known place of safety to explore a new space of vulnerability?
Can you make a wellness checklist that is motivating and exciting and realistic, too?
Are you ready to hold yourself accountable to your present and future self?

Take a look at these brief checklists offered by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to help get you thinking about a broader approach to wellness.